Top 3 Data Science Programs in Arkansas 2025
University of Arkansas
93 data science graduates annually, 80% graduation rate
University of Arkansas Grantham
25 data science graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
Lyon College
14 data science graduates annually, 79% graduation rate
- 1.Arkansas offers 12+ accredited data science programs across public and private universities
- 2.University of Arkansas leads with 80% graduation rate
- 3.Arkansas software developers earn median $85,730 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Bentonville, Little Rock, Fayetteville
- 5.Cost of living index: 89% of US average (below average)
Data Science Education in Arkansas: Overview
Arkansas offers 12 accredited data science programs, producing approximately 237 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Bentonville, Little Rock, Fayetteville, with major employers including Walmart, Tyson Foods, JB Hunt.
With a median software developer salary of $85,730 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 89% compared to the US average, Arkansas offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top data science programs in the state are led by University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas Grantham, Lyon College, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Arkansas Data Science Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | Public | $7,666 | 80% | 74.7 |
| 2 | University of Arkansas Grantham | LIttle Rock, AR | Public | $7,080 | — | 51.8 |
| 3 | Lyon College | Batesville, AR | Private | $29,900 | 79% | 51.4 |
| 4 | Hendrix College | Conway, AR | Private | $36,300 | — | 48.1 |
| 5 | John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | Private | $29,488 | 86% | 47.5 |
| 6 | Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | Public | $7,176 | 93% | 47.2 |
| 7 | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | Public | $4,512 | — | 46.9 |
| 8 | Philander Smith University | Little Rock, AR | Private | $11,804 | — | 45.9 |
| 9 | Harding University | Searcy, AR | Private | $24,240 | — | 42.8 |
| 10 | Shorter College | N Little Rock, AR | Private | $4,800 | — | 37.8 |
| 11 | Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | Private | $31,780 | — | 37.5 |
| 12 | University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | Public | $7,140 | — | 35.5 |
Top 5 Data Science Programs in Arkansas: Side-by-Side
| School | U of Arkansas | U of Arkansas Grantham | Lyon College | Hendrix College | John Brown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $7,666 | $7,080 | $29,900 | $36,300 | $29,488 |
| Graduation Rate | 80% | N/A% | 79% | N/A% | 86% |
| Annual Graduates | 93 | 25 | 14 | 17 | 5 |
| Acceptance Rate | 72% | N/A | 66% | 53% | 68% |
| Type | Public | Public | Private | Private | Private |
| Score | 74.7/100 | 51.8/100 | 51.4/100 | 48.1/100 | 47.5/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Data Science in Arkansas
Arkansas offers 9 bachelor's-level data science programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Arkansas, University of Arkansas Grantham, Lyon College. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $60,011 in the Arkansas market.
A bachelor's in data science typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Data Science Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Data Science Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Arkansas | $7,666 | 80% | 93 | 74.7 |
| #2 U of Arkansas Grantham | $7,080 | N/A% | 25 | 51.8 |
| #3 Lyon College | $29,900 | 79% | 14 | 51.4 |
Top Data Science Schools for Master's Degrees in Arkansas
For graduate study, Arkansas offers 3 master's-level data science programs. Leading institutions include University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, University of Central Arkansas. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Arkansas reaching $111,449 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best data science master's programs for more options beyond Arkansas.
Top 3 Data Science Master's Programs in Arkansas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Arkansas | $7,666 | 80% | 23 | 54.1 |
| #2 Arkansas State | $7,176 | 93% | 3 | 47.2 |
| #3 U of Central Arkansas | $7,140 | N/A% | 7 | 35.5 |
Most Affordable Data Science Colleges in Arkansas
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable data science programs in Arkansas are at University of Arkansas-Fort Smith ($4,512/year), Shorter College ($4,800/year), University of Arkansas Grantham ($7,080/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Arkansas's competitive tech salaries.
At University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, a 4-year degree costs approximately $18,048 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $60,011, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.7 years. See our Most Affordable Data Science Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Data Science Programs in Arkansas (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Arkansas-Fort Smith | $4,512 | $18,048 | 0.7 years | Public |
| #2 Shorter College | $4,800 | $19,200 | 0.8 years | Private |
| #3 U of Arkansas Grantham | $7,080 | $28,320 | 1.1 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Data Science Schools in Arkansas
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 data science programs in Arkansas, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,666 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 80% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 93 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 72%
- • Ranking Score: 74.7 / 100
Program Strengths
- 80% graduation rate
- 93 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 74.7 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (80%), program size (93 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (72% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Arkansas Grantham
LIttle Rock, AR • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,080 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 25 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 51.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 25 data science graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 51.8 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (25 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Lyon College
Batesville, AR • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $29,900 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 79% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 14 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 66%
- • Ranking Score: 51.4 / 100
Program Strengths
- 79% graduation rate
- 14 data science graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 51.4 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (79%), program size (14 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (66% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Hendrix College
Conway, AR • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $36,300 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 17 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 53%
- • Ranking Score: 48.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 17 data science graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 48.1 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (17 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (53% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $29,488 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 86% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Data Science Graduates: 5 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 68%
- • Ranking Score: 47.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- 86% graduation rate
- 5 data science graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 47.5 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (86%), program size (5 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (68% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051Data Scientist opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Data Analyst
SOC 15-2051Data Analyst opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Business Intelligence Analyst
SOC 15-2051Business Intelligence Analyst opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Machine Learning Engineer
SOC 15-2051Machine Learning Engineer opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Quantitative Analyst
SOC 15-2051Quantitative Analyst opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Data Science Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Bentonville, Little Rock, Fayetteville
- You're seeking lower cost of living (89% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Walmart or Tyson Foods
- You prefer Arkansas's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Arkansas's 12)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Data Science in Arkansas FAQ
Based on 12 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Data Science degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
Arkansas-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Arkansas salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.