Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas: Most of the nursing schools in the US with the best nursing programs are in Arkansas.

Becoming a nurse in Arkansas at this point is one of the best decisions you will ever make due to the incessant increase in the need for healthcare workers in the state.

However, to become licensed to work as a nurse in Arkansas, you must first study in any of the best schools and colleges for nurses in Arkansas. After which you must pass the NCLEX-RN to become a registered nurse (RNs).

Having considered the 38 nursing schools in Arkansas, we have come up with a list of the top 10 best schools based on reputation, NCLEX-RN pass rate, tuition, acceptance rate, and accreditation by either the ACEN or CCNE.

Below is a guide that will help you make a good and informed decision.

Ready?

Let’s set the ball rolling!!!

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What Is The Job Outlook For Nurses In Arkansas?

Nurses in Arkansas experience higher-than-average employment, with just under 22.10 nurses for every 1,000 workers.

This invariably means that nurses in Arkansas have a higher chance of having a steady and secured job compared to other states of the USA.

How Many Nursing Schools Are In Arkansas?

There are 38 schools with nursing programs in Arkansas:

26 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing while 12 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.

6 colleges On the other hand offer master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.

What Factors Must I Consider When Choosing A Nursing School To Apply To In Arkansas?

Choosing a school can be tough, but choosing a good nursing school can be tougher.

When comparing the best schools for a nursing program, consider the following:

Length of program
The difficulty of the program
The total cost of the nursing program
Cost of living on-campus or in the area
School and nursing program acceptance rate
School accreditation (regional and national)
Availability of financial aid, scholarships, and grants offered
Program outcomes (NCLEX pass rate and job placement)

How To Apply For Nursing School In Arkansas

Knowing the best nursing schools in Arkansas state is not enough to get you in. You need to know the requirements and a detailed guide on how to apply for nursing school in Arkansas, USA.

Most of these schools are competitive and as such you have to be prepared and take the necessary steps to get you in.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply to nursing schools in US Arkansas;

Check out the list of best nursing schools
Contact each school’s admissions office and ask any questions you may have about the schools.
Find out the requirements you need to apply
Check to see if you meet the nursing school requirements.
If you do, submit your application(s).
Expect the best response.

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List Of The Top 10 Nursing Schools in Arkansas

Without further ado, here are the best nursing schools in Arkansas, nursing schools in the US, and the best nursing programs in the US;

1. Henderson State University

Location:
NCLEX Pass Rate: 79.3%
Annual Tuition: $7,480 (In-state), $9,352 (Out-of-State)

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive nursing school that offers both traditional, online, and bridge nursing programs in Arkansas, then you should enroll into Henderson State University.

Henderson State University offers a variety of degree programs including a nursing degree offered through the Ellis College of Arts and Sciences.

This nursing program includes an on-campus BSN, an online RN-BSN, and an MSN degree.

The good news about studying at Henderson State University nursing school is the 100% chance of employment within 3 months of graduation. This is one of the best nursing schools in Arkansas, USA.

APPLY TO HSU NURSING PROGRAM

2. University of Central Arkansas

Location: Conway, AR.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 81%
Annual Tuition: $7,873.88 (In-state), $13,433.72 (out-of-state)

The University of Central Arkansas is one of the best nursing schools in Arkansas State which has some of the best programs in the US for nurses.

The University is large, accommodating about 10,000 students but has a small education system with a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Also, the University of Central Arkansas nursing program makes allowance for transfer students to enter the two-year BSN program.

However, students who have completed their first two years of schooling at the school get the upper hand when it comes to admission.

A good reason to study at the University of Central Arkansas is the 90% chance nursing graduates have to get employed. This is one of the best nursing schools in Arkansas, USA.

APPLY TO UCA NURSING PROGRAM

3. University of Arkansas: Eleanor Mann School of Nursing

Location:
NCLEX Pass Rate: 83.1%
Annual Tuition: $7,666 (In-State), $25,420 (Out-of-state)

The University of Arkansas offers traditional, online, and bridge nursing programs with an exception of any form of an accelerated program. This is one of the best nursing schools in Arkansas, USA.

In the University of Arkansas system, U of A, is one of the best public schools on the list and one of the top public schools in the nation.

Its nursing school is known as the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing and it offers three nursing tracks: a traditional BSN, an online RN-BSN, and an LPN-BSN.

In 2022, the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas graduates 208 BSN students.

APPLY TO UA ELEANOR MANN SCHOOL OF NURSING

4. University of Arkansas

Location: Fort Smith, AR.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 78.8%
Annual Tuition: $7,984 (In-State), $16,954 (Out-of-state)

The University of Arkansas in Fort Smith is one of the best nursing schools in Arkansas offering both traditional, online, accelerated, and bridge nursing programs.

UAFS nursing programs welcome students from all walks of life, especially from Sebastian and Crawford counties.

Its tuition is affordable for in-state students and other neighboring states such as Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.

If you’re looking for an affordable nursing school, UAFS should be on your list for consideration. However, keep in mind that UAFS’s NCELX pass rates are incredibly low.

APPLY TO UAFS NURSING PROGRAM

5. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Location: Fort Smith, AR.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 87.2%
Annual Tuition: $7,632 (In-State), $15,168 (Out-of-state)

If you’re looking for an affordable nursing school in Arkansas, then you should exclude the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. This is one of the best nursing schools in Arkansas, USA.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is an incredible school for nurses but the tuition is higher than most nursing programs in the state.

Its BSN program holds the largest number out of the 590 students in the school.

Nurses with a BSN degree can enroll in the BSN-DNP, BSN-PhD program, or MSN program as an APRN or nursing administrators.

If you can foot the bills required to get a degree in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, you will be earning a BSN from Arkansas’s only academic health center.

Keep in mind that the UAMS nursing program offers both traditional, online, accelerated, and bridge nursing programs.

APPLY TO UAMS NURSING PROGRAM

6. Harding University Carr College of Nursing

Location: Searcy, AR.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 94%
Annual Tuition: $22,230 (All Students)

Harding University is a private university and one of the best nursing programs in the US that hold its campus lessons in Arkansas. It offers traditional, online, accelerated, and bridge nursing programs to all students who apply.

Harding University offers a good learning environment and a small-school atmosphere however with a student population of about 4,800.

Harding University Carr College of Nursing graduates nurses who can excellently excel in the NCLEX exams with a 94% pass rate.

APPLY TO HARDING UNIVERSITY CARR COLLEGE OF NURSING

7. John Brown University

Location: Fort Smith, AR.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 90.4%
Annual Tuition: $29,720 (All Students)

John Brown University is a good place for students who want the traditional nursing program as the University does not offer online, accelerated, or bridge nursing programs.

However, it’s a good place for students looking out for a small private school with access to financial aid.

Its BSN nursing program is the most applied degree option at the school with about 101 students currently enrolled.

However, the chances of passing the NCLEX are not predictable as the school started taking the NCLEX in 2018. But from previous records, you will get anything lower than 90%. This is one of the best nursing schools in Arkansas, USA.

APPLY TO JBU NURSING PROGRAM

8. Arkansas State University

Location: Jonesboro, AR.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 93%
Annual Tuition: $9,310 (In-State), $16,630 (Out-of-state)

Arkansas State University in Jonesboro has no shortage of options for students who want to study nursing at the University. This is one of the best nursing schools in Arkansas, USA.

The nursing program spans across traditional BSN, online RN-BSN, and accelerated BSN degrees.

Also, students can enroll for an AASN, LPN-BSN, MSN in anesthesia as a family nurse practitioner, or a DNP.

So, if you’re looking for a nursing school in Arkansas that offers a wide range of options for traditional, online, accelerated, and bridge nursing programs, Arkansas State University should be on your list.

APPLY TO ASU NURSING PROGRAM

9. Arkansas Tech University

Location: Russellville, AR.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 91.4%
Annual Tuition: $5,820 (In-State), $11,640 (Out-of-state)

Arkansas Tech University has multiple campus locations but its department of nursing is sited in Russellville. This is one of the best nursing schools in Arkansas, USA.

The University offers a traditional BSN program as well as online RN-BSN, LPN-BSN, or MSN and bridge programs with an exception of accelerated nursing programs.

Through its NCLEX pass rate, we can decipher the quality of education prospective nurses get by studying at Arkansas Tech University.

If you’re a student from neighboring states, you are eligible to waive the out-of-state tuition and earn in-state tuition.

APPLY TO ATU NURSING PROGRAM

10. Southern Arkansas University

Location: Magnolia, AR.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Annual Tuition: $7,020 (In-State), $12,450 (Out-of-state)

Southern Arkansas University prides itself as one of the best nursing schools in Arkansas. It is not just the best, it is also a large school with a student population of 3,160 students.

The nursing program at Southern Arkansas University is a 120-credit hour program perfect for students completing their BSN.

The NCLEX pass rate is high so it is easy to become an RN. Also, the low tuition is an advantage.

Keep in mind that Southern Arkansas University offers both traditional, online, and bridge nursing programs with an exception of accelerated nursing programs. This is one of the best nursing schools in Arkansas, USA.

APPLY TO SAU NURSING PROGRAM

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FAQs on The Best Nursing Schools In Arkansas

How Many Nurses Are In Arkansas?

Arkansas has about 26,320 nurses currently employed.
This number shows that there are more nurses per capita than the national average.

What Is The Salary Structure Of Nurses In Arkansas?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses in Arkansas earn an annual mean wage of $65,810.
This is lower than the national average.

Also, keep in mind that this average salary structure can be altered depending on your degree, wealth of experience, and location.

What Are The Application Requirements To Apply To Nursing Schools In Arkansas?

There is no one size that fits all requirements list to apply to colleges for nurses in Arkansas.
However, here are the likely requirements for all schools;

– ACT and/or SAT scores
– College entrance essay(s)
– Letter(s) of recommendation
– High school transcript (GPA)

What Are The Accreditation Bodies For Nursing Schools In Arkansas?

The two nursing accreditation organizations for nursing schools in Arkansas are;

– Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
– Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

How Do I Get a Nursing License in Arkansas?

It’s important that you know how to get Arkansas nursing license.

Arkansas is part of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC), as such, it follows the same standards for nursing licensure as most other US states.

Therefore to get a license in Arkansas, you’ll need to:

– Study at a state-approved and accredited nursing school
– Take and pass the NCLEX-RN.
– Pass a criminal background check and submit fingerprints.
– Apply through the Arkansas State Board of Nursing website.

Where Are Nurses Paid Highest In Arkansas?

The area where registered nurses are paid the highest in Arkansas is Conway, where the average RNs salary is $69,660.

References

Nurse.org

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