Accelerated Online Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas 2026

Starting a new career, or advancing your current one, often begins with earning a bachelor's degree. However, some students are deterred from taking this step because they can't make time to attend scheduled in-person classes or commit four years of their lives to a traditional program.

Fortunately, schools in Arkansas offer flexible accelerated online bachelor's degree programs that help enrollees graduate in a fraction of the time. Keep reading to find out where to secure an accelerated bachelor's degree online.

How Long Does It Take To Earn an Online Bachelor's Degree in Arkansas?

Online bachelor's degrees at Arkansas schools generally take four years to complete. But factors like enrollment status, the institution you attend, program type, and whether the school accepts transfer credits or other prior learning credits can impact the time needed to graduate.

If you're looking for the fastest way to get a bachelor's degree, consider schools that offer accelerated undergraduate programs. In Arkansas, these programs might have rolling admissions, short online courses, or flexible transfer options.

Accelerated Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in Arkansas

Online bachelor's programs prepare students for exciting careers or master's degrees in their chosen fields. Explore the schools below to discover where you can secure accelerated options in Arkansas.

1. University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is designed for students with an associate degree or up to 75 transferrable semester hours in general education or business coursework. Students grow their knowledge of management, finance, marketing, and ethics as they prepare for a business career or Master of Business Administration (MBA) program.

Time to completion: Three years

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University allows registered nurses (RNs) with an associate degree or diploma to enroll in an RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. In this program, students explore nursing informatics, population health, and more as they prepare for higher-level roles. The degree also qualifies students for Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or BSN to Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs.

Time to completion: As little as one calendar year

Accreditation: HLC

3. Arkansas State University

Students at Arkansas State University can find online undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs delivered in an accelerated online format with flexible schedules and multiple annual start dates. Online bachelor's degrees exploring business administration, general studies, fashion merchandising and marketing, and digital technology and design are available, and most accept up to 90 transfer credits. Learners seeking one-year degrees can complete A-State's BSN programs in 15 months or less.

Average in-state tuition: $282 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $282 per credit hour

Time to completion: As little as 12 months (BSN programs)

Accreditation: HLC

4. University of Arkansas Grantham

The University of Arkansas Grantham is an online learning institution serving adult students across the U.S. and worldwide. The four-year public school offers nearly a dozen online bachelor's degrees with accelerated completion options. Programs include a BBA, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in criminal justice, and Bachelor of Science (BS) programs in cybersecurity, engineering management technology, and information systems.

Average in-state tuition: $305 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $305 per credit hour

Time to completion: 38 months

Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)

5. University of Central Arkansas

The RN to BSN at the University of Central Arkansas is a 100% online degree program for students with Arkansas registered nursing licensure and an associate degree or hospital diploma from an accredited nursing program. Depending on enrollees' educational backgrounds, they could receive 41 hours of BSN nursing credit. The program has flexible enrollment options, enabling students to choose from three start dates each year.

Average in-state tuition: $307 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $307 per credit hour

Time to completion: As little as 12 months (full-time)

Accreditation: HLC

6. University of Arkansas

At the University of Arkansas, accelerated online programs help licensed nurses earn bachelor's degrees and further their careers. The 120-credit online licensed practical nurse (LPN) to BSN program prepares students for registered nurse licensure in two to three years. The university also offers a 30-credit online RN to BSN designed for completion in three semesters.

Average in-state tuition: $339.10 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $339.10 per credit hour

Time to completion: As little as three semesters

Accreditation: HLC

7. Harding University

Harding University's accelerated BSN (ABSN) program prepares students without a nursing background for careers in the field through online coursework, hands-on labs, and clinical experiences. After completing all three stages of this program, enrollees earn their bachelor's degree and are prepared to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) licensure exam.

Average in-state tuition: $843 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $843 per credit hour

Time to completion: As few as 16 months

Accreditation: HLC

Other Accelerated Online Bachelor's Degrees in the U.S.

Are you interested in expanding your search outside of Arkansas? Explore the schools below for accelerated online bachelor's degrees in other states.

Marian University

At Marian University in Wisconsin, students can choose from MPath accelerated online bachelor's programs in business administration, logistics and supply chain management, criminal justice, and beyond. Online bachelor's completion programs are available in nursing, dental hygiene, respiratory therapy, and other fields for learners with licensure or certification. Marian offers six annual start dates and accepts up to 96 transfer credits, depending on the program.

Average in-state tuition: Starting at $472 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: Starting at $472 per credit hour

Time to completion: As little as 12 months

Accreditation: HLC

Concordia University Wisconsin

Learners interested in flexible education programs can find multiple accelerated online options at Concordia University Wisconsin. The institution offers bachelor's degrees with eight-week sessions and the option to transfer up to 84 credits.

Disciplines include cross-categorical special education, early childhood education, elementary education, and secondary education in English and language arts, social studies, or mathematics.

Average in-state tuition: $490 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: $490 per credit hour

Time to completion: As little as three years

Accreditation: HLC

Roberts Wesleyan University

Roberts Wesleyan University in New York offers flexible online accelerated undergraduate degrees students can complete in 12 to 24 months. Designed for busy adults, programs prepare learners to advance their careers or qualify for master's programs in social work, nursing, business management, healthcare administration, and education with a pathway to teaching.

Average in-state tuition: Starting at $588 per credit hour

Average out-of-state tuition: Starting at $588 per credit hour

Time to completion: As little as 12 months

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

How We Rank Schools

Our team vetted the institutions in this rank list to confirm that each one has met the following criteria for delivering quality academic experiences in higher education:

• Accreditation: All schools are accredited by a nationally recognized organization such as the HLC or DEAC.
• Program length: These colleges and universities provide shorter courses, accept transfer credits, or offer an accelerated format to reduce the time needed to earn a degree.
• Program reputation and quality: We verified that these institutions offer quality undergraduate degree programs for on-campus and online students.
• Tuition cost: The schools above make online courses more affordable by providing lower tuition, scholarships, or financial aid.

Learn more about our ranking methodology.

How To Accelerate Your Bachelor’s Degree in Arkansas

One way to expedite your studies is to take a quick online degree. Schools in and out of Arkansas offer accelerated online programs that can help you graduate in as early as one year. Furthermore, because these programs are fully online, you don’t have to leave the state to join them.

Aside from enrolling in an accelerated bachelor’s program, here are some ways to quickly earn a diploma:

• Take online courses: Online courses are a good alternative for students who are hesitant to jump headfirst into an online degree. They can help expedite your bachelor’s degree without you committing fully to digital learning. Online course providers like Study.com can even introduce you to the many benefits of digital classes.
• Test out of classes: Are you familiar with credit-by-exam (CBE)? It’s a process that allows you to test out of specific classes. There are numerous CBE providers that offer standardized exams in up to six subjects. You can earn college credit and skip certain courses by passing one or more of these tests.‍
• Enroll in AP classes in high school: You can earn college credits by passing several AP exams in high school. This can help reduce your coursework in university. Furthermore, these AP courses can help acclimate you to the academic challenges you’ll be facing in college.

FAQs About the Fastest Bachelor's Degrees in Arkansas

Do you want to begin your search for accelerated online bachelor's degree programs in Arkansas? Review the FAQs to learn more before taking the next step.

Are There Any One-Year Online Bachelor's Degrees in Arkansas?

Students who want to earn a one-year bachelor's degree online in Arkansas can find several program options. The University of Central Arkansas offers a 100% online RN to BSN with multiple start dates that learners can complete in as little as 12 months when enrolled full-time. Arkansas State University's online BSN programs take 15 months or less to finish.

What Are the Admission Requirements for Accelerated Bachelor’s Programs?

The admission requirements may vary depending on the school and program you are enrolled in. Some programs may require the completion of specific prerequisites, while others do not. There are also universities that set a minimum GPA that you have to meet in order to enroll. 

Ultimately, we advise that you contact your school for your program’s specific admission requirements. This will help your enrollment process go smoothly.

Do You Need Previous College Credits to Enroll in an Accelerated Program?

Typically, previous college credits are not required to enter an accelerated bachelor’s program. This is because transfer credits are not what allows students to graduate early in an accelerated program. Instead, it’s the compressed coursework coupled with fast-paced learning.

Despite this, students are still encouraged to earn college credit prior to entering university. They can help reduce your coursework and further expedite your studies.

Can You Transfer Credits Into an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree Program?

Yes, you can transfer credits into an accelerated bachelor's program. In fact, some universities or programs even encourage students to utilize their prior learning credits or associate degree to expedite their graduation.

However, before transferring credits, there are a few things you should check with your school. First, you have to check the maximum allowable transfer credits. Second, you have to confirm the list of accepted transferable credits.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees

Take the next step toward your dream career by exploring the accredited degree programs on Learn.org. Contact schools of interest today to learn how they can help you achieve your goals.