[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online schools in the Natural State offer new students and working professionals a convenient way to build new skills and advance their careers through bachelor’s degrees, two-year programs, and graduate-level study.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Earning a college degree in Arkansas can qualify you to enter the workforce in some of the state’s top fields. Many schools feature online options and continue to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2021/08/11/u-arkansas-system-plans-acquire-online-grantham-university/”]expand their programming[/hen-ui-link] to meet rising demand. The best online colleges in Arkansas offer multiple degrees to meet the needs of new students and working professionals.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Our ranking identifies the best online colleges in Arkansas with criteria like affordability, flexibility in delivery, and program availability. Each school listed also [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/accreditation/”]holds accreditation[/hen-ui-link], a key indicator of quality and value. Learn more about these rankings and explore your options for online college in Arkansas below.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Best Online Online Colleges in Arkansas[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid] [hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”editorialListings” /] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Employment in Arkansas[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The highest-paying and most common occupations in Arkansas align with some of the state’s [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.discover.arkansas.gov/Industry/Key-Industries/”]top industries[/hen-ui-link]: aerospace and defense, business, manufacturing and transportation, and software development. Each career listed below delivers mean earnings well above the $44,780 average in Arkansas, according to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ar.htm/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] (BLS).[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/AR/PST045219″]U.S. Census Bureau[/hen-ui-link] reports that just 23% of workers in the Natural State hold college degrees. While the current [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.ar.htm”]unemployment rate in Arkansas[/hen-ui-link] is 4.4% — one percentage point lower than [hen-ui-link href=”https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LNS14000000″]the national rate[/hen-ui-link] — college-educated professionals fare even better. [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm/”]BLS figures[/hen-ui-link] indicate that both earnings and employment rise with educational attainment.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It also costs less for professionals to live and work in Arkansas. The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bestplaces.net/cost_of_living/state/arkansas/”]cost of living index[/hen-ui-link], which factors in expenses like utilities and housing, is just 79.0 statewide (for comparison, the national average is 100). A low cost of living makes work for recent Arkansas graduates even more lucrative, especially for the careers listed below.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following information includes the highest-paying roles employing more than 1,000 individuals in Arkansas. Salary information applies specifically to Arkansas, while job growth data pertains to the United States as a whole.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Highest-Paying Careers in Arkansas[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2020)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Family Medicine Physicians[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ar.htm/”]$209,370[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm/”]3%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Doctorate[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Sales Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ar.htm/”]$138,030[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/sales-managers.htm/”]7%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Postsecondary Education Administrators[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ar.htm/”]$114,970[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm/”]8%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Master’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Computer and Information Systems Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ar.htm/”]$114,770[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm/”]11%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following data reflects the highest-paying roles employing more than 2,900 professionals in Arkansas. Salary figures apply specifically to Arkansas, while job growth data refers to the United States as a whole.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-table] [hen-ui-table-caption]Most Common Careers in Arkansas[/hen-ui-table-caption] [hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Career[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Annual Mean Salary (2020)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)[/hen-ui-table-head] [hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Education Required[/hen-ui-table-head] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-header] [hen-ui-table-body] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Financial Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ar.htm/”]$112,190[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/financial-managers.htm/”]17%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]General and Operations Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ar.htm/”]$91,530[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm/”]8%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Medical and Health Services Managers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ar.htm/”]$89,700[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm/”]32%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-row] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Career”]Software Developers[/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Annual Mean Salary (2020)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ar.htm/”]$87,720[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Projected Job Growth (2020-2030)”][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm/”]22%[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-cell] [hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Education Required”]Bachelor’s[/hen-ui-table-cell] [/hen-ui-table-row] [/hen-ui-table-body] [/hen-ui-table] Source: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm/”]Bureau of Labor Statistics[/hen-ui-link] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”associate”]Online Associate Degrees and Community Colleges in Arkansas[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.arkansascc.org/about-acc/”]Arkansas Community Colleges[/hen-ui-link] system includes 22 schools that feature [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/associates/”]associate degrees[/hen-ui-link]. Most only last two years, which makes it easy for learners to earn degrees in manufacturing, computer information systems, engineering, and business administration.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Online availability at these schools continues to expand amid the pandemic — an ideal option for working professionals and busy learners looking to maintain balance. After graduating, earned credits can [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/transfer-credits-online-colleges/”]easily transfer[/hen-ui-link] to four-year schools across the state.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ id=”graduate”]Online Graduate Degrees in Arkansas[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many schools in Arkansas also offer online graduate degrees for individuals interested in continuing their education. If you’re looking to advance in one of the state’s top job sectors — like finance or healthcare — a graduate degree can strengthen your qualifications, equipping you for roles with higher pay and more responsibility.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students pursuing [hen-ui-link href=”/rankings/online-colleges/”]online degrees[/hen-ui-link] at Arkansas schools will experience different class structures and learning formats than campus-based offerings. The key difference lies in course delivery. The best online colleges in Arkansas use [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/synchronous-vs-asynchronous-programs-courses/”]synchronous or asynchronous methods[/hen-ui-link] to accommodate different learning styles and work schedules.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-article-card title=”How to Pick a College” href=”/resources/how-to-pick-a-college/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [hen-ui-article-card title=”What to Look for in an Online College” href=”/resources/what-to-look-for-online-college/” size=”compact” border=”stroke”][/hen-ui-article-card] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Arkansas[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Is Online College Cheaper in Arkansas?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes — especially if you live in the state. Many schools offer reduced tuition rates for in-state residents. Some also feature flat-rate tuition for non-residents.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Degree in Arkansas?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most students complete associate degrees in two years or less. A bachelor’s degree can take up to four years. Individuals with transfer credits can finish faster.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]What Is the Most Popular Degree in Arkansas?[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Business and marketing, engineering, health professions, and communication-related fields all rank among the most popular majors at large state schools like [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-arkansas-1108/academics/”]University of Arkansas[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”] [hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Blake Huggins” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto:eco/v1618859759/TheBestSchools.org/hero-images/Experts/blake-huggins.jpg” img-alt=”Blake Huggins” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”][hen-ui-link href=”/about/#writers/”]Blake Huggins[/hen-ui-link] is a Boston-based writer and researcher with roots in north Texas and southern Oklahoma. He holds degrees in religion and philosophy and writes widely on higher education, healthcare, and the humanities broadly conceived. He earned a PhD from Boston University and has taught college courses in philosophy, writing, and composition.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Learn more, do more.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h5″]More topic-relevant resources to expand your knowledge.[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”170,1481,1183″][/hen-ui-article-row] [hen-ui-section-header title=”Popular with our students.” /] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”2-col” ids=”970,1538,905″][/hen-ui-article-row]