Arkansas Baptist College
Arkansas Baptist College is a private nonprofit university in Little Rock, AR ranked #1890 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of D+, and enrolling about 342 undergraduates. Students most often pursue health and life sciences.
Day to day, students benefit from a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, 23.4% first-year retention, and 7.4% six-year graduation. Coaches and faculty advisors weave in frequent check-ins, helping students translate ambition into steady progress.
Families typically invest $10,627, about $6,371 less than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at -46.7%, roughly 132.0 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $22,652. That's about $21,036 below national results. It's well-suited to students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore.
Arkansas Baptist College has annual tuition of $8,760, average net price of $10,627, and a national rank of #1890 (Grade D+), with a 7.4% six-year graduation rate, about 342 undergraduates, and median earnings of $22,652 six years after enrollment. Figures come from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and EDsmart's 2026 rankings.
Who is Arkansas Baptist College Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
Arkansas Baptist College graduates 7.4% of students within six years and keeps 23.4% of first-year students. Affordability earns an A+ compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use Arkansas Baptist College's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $8,760 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,000 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $8,826 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $4,474 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $23,060 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 79.4% of Arkansas Baptist College students receive Pell Grants — well above the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $7,715 to $20,055 depending on family income. Use Arkansas Baptist College's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $22,652
- 10-Year Median Earnings $22,652
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $8,250
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 25.4%
- Employment Rate 84.0%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for Arkansas Baptist College graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
Arkansas Baptist College vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how Arkansas Baptist College's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes Arkansas Baptist College's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While Arkansas Baptist College graduates earn $22,652 median, the -46.7% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading Not reported
- SAT Math Not reported
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite Not reported
- SAT & ACTNot required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 342
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 23.4%
- Graduation Rate 7.4%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 13:1
How to Get Into Arkansas Baptist College
1. Meet Academic Requirements: Arkansas Baptist College requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of Not reported, Arkansas Baptist College is selective. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among Arkansas Baptist College undergraduates. Criminal Justice and Corrections, Business Administration, Management and Operations, and Human Services, General draw the most students.
- Criminal Justice and Corrections 38.9%
- Business Administration, Management and Operations 22.2%
- Human Services, General 16.7%
- Religion/Religious Studies 11.1%
- Educational Administration and Supervision 5.6%
- Public Administration 5.6%
See more majors
- Music 0.0%
- Accounting and Related Services 0.0%
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for Arkansas Baptist College. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degree, 18 graduates)
- Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degree, 7 graduates)
- Public Administration (Associate's Degree, 5 graduates)
- Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degree, 4 graduates)
- Human Services, General (Bachelor's Degree, 3 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (9 programs)▼
- Criminal Justice and Corrections
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Human Services, General
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Public Administration
- Educational Administration and Supervision
- Music
- Accounting and Related Services
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 342
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 77.8%
- Female Students 22.2%
- Caucasian 2.6%
- Asian 0.0%
- Hispanic 2.1%
- Black 91.5%
- Pell Grant Recipients 79.4%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects Arkansas Baptist College's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of Arkansas Baptist College's undergraduate population. Women make up 22.2% of the student body, while men represent 77.8%.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Arkansas Baptist College support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Arkansas Baptist College, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: Arkansas Baptist College has a diverse student body, with 2.6% identifying as White. Men make up 77.8% of undergraduates. 79.4% of students receive Pell Grants, well above the national average, indicating strong support for low-income students.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does Arkansas Baptist College support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at a different rate as higher-income students, indicating varying levels of institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at Arkansas Baptist College, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Arkansas Baptist College offers a private university experience at a regional scale, combining smaller class sizes with -46.7% ROI. Ranked #1890 nationally, the institution balances personalized attention against higher costs than public alternatives.
The $10,627 annual net price is competitive with public out-of-state tuition, offset somewhat by $22,652 median earnings. With 7.4% graduating within six years and 23.4% returning for sophomore year, outcomes reflect the personalized support typical of smaller private institutions.
Private University Value: Arkansas Baptist College's Positioning
With a D+ grade and #1890 ranking, Arkansas Baptist College competes in the crowded regional private university market.
The Private University Premium: At $10,627 annually, Arkansas Baptist College charges more than public alternatives but typically offers smaller classes, more personalized advising, and tighter-knit campus communities. The 23.4% retention rate suggests students value this environment.
Who Benefits Most: Students who thrive in smaller, more intimate academic settings. Those seeking specific programs or values-based education aligned with the institution's mission. Students who receive merit scholarships that bring costs below $7,439 achieve particularly strong value.
Cost-Benefit Reality: The -46.7% ROI and $22,652 median earnings don't always justify the premium over public universities. Students paying full price should compare whether the personalized experience warrants $627+ in additional annual costs over state flagships.
Competitive Standing: Arkansas Baptist College ranks #1890 of 6101 institutions, with 918 schools achieving higher ROI. For students offered substantial merit aid or seeking specific programs unavailable at public universities, the value proposition strengthens significantly.
Key Takeaways
- 7.4% six-year graduation rate sits 55.1 points below the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 23.4% first-year retention is 53.4 points below the national norm of 76.8%.
- -46.7% return on investment is 132.0 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $22,652 run about 48% lower than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $10,627 is roughly $6,770 lower than the national median of $17,397.
Helpfulness for Students
- 13:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 23.4% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 84.0% employment rate within three years sits 15.8 points above national outcomes.
- Budget carefully for clinical travel, off-campus housing, and practicum fees to avoid surprise costs.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
Arkansas Baptist College is a private nonprofit university based in Little Rock, AR and earns a D+ overall grade. It appears at #1890 in EDsmart's national list Category results include Completion (D-), Support (D+), Career Outcomes (C), and Affordability (A+).
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
23.4% of learners come back after year one while 7.4% complete the degree within six years. The reported ROI is -46.7%, a figure families can weigh against cost and aid details above.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $10,627 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $23,060.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $12,433 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $8,250 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 79.4% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Median earnings come in near $22,652 six years after enrollment. That sits about 48% below the national median.
The three-year employment rate is close to 84.0%.
The ROI comes in near -46.7%, which you can cross-check against your financial plan.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
This institution has not reported a current acceptance rate.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the Arkansas Baptist College admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Arkansas Baptist College cost?
At Arkansas Baptist College, listed tuition and fees are $8,760 per year, and the average net price after aid is $10,627. Use the net price calculator on this page for a personalized estimate.
What is Arkansas Baptist College's ranking?
Arkansas Baptist College ranks #1890 nationally in EDsmart's 2026 college rankings with an overall grade of D+, based on completion, affordability, support, and career outcomes.
What is Arkansas Baptist College's graduation rate?
At Arkansas Baptist College, the six-year graduation rate is 7.4%, and first-year retention is 23.4%.
What are Arkansas Baptist College's job outcomes?
Graduates of Arkansas Baptist College report median earnings of $22,652 six years after enrollment, according to College Scorecard federal outcome data. Outcomes vary by major.
What is Arkansas Baptist College's student population?
Arkansas Baptist College enrolls about 342 undergraduate students, per College Scorecard enrollment data.
Contact Information
- Address Little Rock, AR 72202-6068
- Website www.arkansasbaptist.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationHigher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
- Transfer Enrollment Rate22.2%