Arkansas College Tuition Trends from 2015 to 2025

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Tuition trends by school type and level for Arkansas colleges

There are 28 four-year colleges and universities in Arkansas—12 public institutions and 16 private institutions. This page summarizes average tuition & fees and how costs have changed over time based on the latest available IPEDS data.

Undergraduate Tuition Trends

Public colleges: In 2025, average in-state tuition & fees are $9,093, while out-of-state tuition & fees are $16,203. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 3.84% and out-of-state costs changed by 1.32%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 29.46% (in-state) and 29.08% (out-of-state).

Private colleges: The average tuition & fees are $21,162 in 2025. That is a 2.55% change from last year and 14.38% cumulative growth since 2015.

Graduate Tuition Trends

Public graduate schools: In 2025, average in-state graduate tuition & fees are $8,506, while out-of-state graduate tuition & fees are $14,359. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 3.40% and out-of-state costs changed by 3.05%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 39.77% (in-state) and 37.53% (out-of-state).

Private graduate schools: The average graduate tuition & fees are $15,683 in 2025. That is a 0.67% change from last year and -20.07% cumulative growth since 2015.

Public vs. private comparison (increase rates): In 2025, private undergraduate tuition changed by 2.55% year-over-year. Public undergraduate in-state changed by 3.84% (higher by 1.29 percentage points vs. private), and public out-of-state changed by 1.32% (lower by 1.23 percentage points vs. private). Over the full period since 2015, private undergraduate tuition grew by 14.38%, compared with public in-state 29.46% (higher by 15.07 percentage points vs. private) and public out-of-state 29.08% (higher by 14.69 percentage points vs. private).

Graduate comparison: In 2025, private graduate tuition changed by 0.67% year-over-year. Public graduate in-state changed by 3.40% (higher by 2.73 percentage points vs. private), and public graduate out-of-state changed by 3.05% (higher by 2.39 percentage points vs. private). Since 2015, private graduate tuition grew by -20.07%, compared with public graduate in-state 39.77% (higher by 59.83 percentage points vs. private) and public graduate out-of-state 37.53% (higher by 57.60 percentage points vs. private).

COA Trends

Undergraduate cost of attendance change by school type (tuition & fees + room & board): In 2025, estimated on-campus COA is $24,133 (public in-state), $31,243 (public out-of-state), and $36,202 (private). Year-over-year, on-campus COA changed by 5.55%, 3.80%, and 4.20%, respectively. Since 2015, cumulative on-campus COA growth is 34.76% (public in-state), 33.31% (public out-of-state), and 23.20% (private).

Off-campus COA: In 2025, estimated off-campus COA is $25,120 (public in-state), $32,230 (public out-of-state), and $37,189 (private). Year-over-year, off-campus COA changed by 7.62%, 5.40%, and 5.59%. Since 2015, cumulative off-campus COA growth is 32.47% (public in-state), 31.60% (public out-of-state), and 22.17% (private).

Tuition & Fees Trends of Arkansas Colleges from 2015 to 2025

The tables and charts below show how average college tuition and fees have changed in Arkansas from 2015 through 2025.

All figures are based on the latest available IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) data published by the U.S. Department of Education. To keep the comparisons consistent, these averages reflect 4-year colleges and universities in Arkansas and exclude most community colleges and trade schools due to differences in reporting and availability.

Under. (Public) Under. (Private) Graduate (Public) Graduate (Private)
For Arkansas public schools, the 2025 undergraduate in-state tuition & fees are $9,093 which has increased by 29.46% over the current decade and the out-of-state cost is $16,203 which has risen by 29.08%. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 2.91% while last year increase rate was 1.32%.
Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Arkansas Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
In-State Costs$7,269$7,542$7,789$7,990$8,396$8,161$8,243$8,493$8,757$9,093
Year-to-Year Rates3.49%3.76%3.28%2.58%5.08%-2.79%1.00%3.03%3.11%3.84%
Cumulative Rates3.49%7.38%10.90%13.76%19.53%16.19%17.35%20.91%24.67%29.46%
Out-of-State Costs$13,804$14,308$14,303$14,627$15,210$14,913$15,080$15,492$15,992$16,203
Year-to-Year Rates9.97%3.65%-0.04%2.27%3.99%-1.95%1.12%2.73%3.23%1.32%
Cumulative Rates9.97%13.98%13.94%16.52%21.17%18.80%20.13%23.41%27.40%29.08%
For private schools in Arkansas state, the 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees are $21,162 which has increased by 14.38% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 1.44% while last year increase rate was 2.55%.
Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Arkansas Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
Tuition & Fees$18,760$19,746$20,204$19,630$20,491$20,957$20,080$19,663$20,635$21,162
Year-to-Year Rates1.40%5.26%2.32%-2.84%4.39%2.27%-4.18%-2.08%4.94%2.55%
Cumulative Rates1.40%6.73%9.21%6.10%10.76%13.28%8.54%6.28%11.54%14.38%
The average graduate school tuition & fees of Arkansas public schools are $8,506 which has increased by 39.77% over the current decade and the out-of-state graduate cost is $14,359 which has risen by 37.53%. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 3.75% while last year increase rate was 3.05%.
Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Arkansas Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
In-State Costs$6,476$6,931$6,933$7,154$7,372$7,460$7,513$7,576$8,227$8,506
Year-to-Year Rates6.42%7.02%0.02%3.19%3.05%1.19%0.71%0.84%8.59%3.40%
Cumulative Rates6.42%13.89%13.92%17.55%21.14%22.58%23.45%24.48%35.17%39.77%
Out-of-State Costs$11,732$12,460$12,225$12,540$12,781$12,924$13,047$13,209$13,933$14,359
Year-to-Year Rates12.38%6.20%-1.89%2.58%1.93%1.12%0.95%1.24%5.48%3.05%
Cumulative Rates12.38%19.35%17.10%20.11%22.42%23.79%24.97%26.52%33.46%37.53%
For private graduate schools in Arkansas state, the 2025 tuition & fees are $15,683 which has increased by -20.07% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is -2.00652% while last year increase rate was 0.67%.
Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Arkansas Colleges
2015-20162016-20172017-20182018-20192019-20202020-20212021-20222022-20232023-20242024-2025
Tuition & Fees$18,379$19,163$20,022$20,400$22,475$21,154$19,127$19,907$15,579$15,683
Year-to-Year Rates-6.32%4.26%4.48%1.89%10.17%-5.88%-9.58%4.08%-21.74%0.67%
Cumulative Rates-6.32%-2.33%2.05%3.98%14.55%7.82%-2.51%1.46%-20.59%-20.07%
You can check the changes of other college costs including room & board costs, book & supplies, and other living expenses at Arkansas college cost trends.