Arkansas university campus representing database administration education
Updated December 2025

Best Database Administration Programs in Arkansas: Top Schools & Colleges Ranked

Ranking 6 top accredited database administration programs in Arkansas. Compare schools by tuition, graduation rates, and career outcomes in Bentonville, Little Rock, Fayetteville.

Programs Ranked6
Median Salary$85,730
Cost of Living89%
Tech Hubs3

Top 3 Database Administration Programs in Arkansas 2025

๐Ÿฅ‡ #1

University of Arkansas Grantham

LIttle Rock, ARPublic

24 database administration graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate

$7K
Tuition/yr
51.4
Score
๐Ÿฅˆ #2

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, ARPublic

21 database administration graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate

$7K
Tuition/yr
48.7
Score
๐Ÿฅ‰ #3

Harding University

Searcy, ARPrivate

38 database administration graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate

$24K
Tuition/yr
45.8
Score
Key Takeaways
  • 1.Arkansas offers 6+ accredited database administration programs across public and private universities
  • 2.University of Arkansas Grantham leads with strong% 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)

Database Administration Education in Arkansas: Overview

Arkansas offers 6 accredited database administration programs, producing approximately 93 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 database administration programs in the state are led by University of Arkansas Grantham, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Harding University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.

Arkansas Database Administration Programs Rankings 2025

Rank
1University of Arkansas GranthamLIttle Rock, ARPublic$7,080โ€”51.4
2University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock, ARPublic$6,600โ€”48.7
3Harding UniversitySearcy, ARPrivate$24,240โ€”45.8
4Arkansas State University-Mountain HomeMountain Home, ARPublic$2,616โ€”41.3
5North Arkansas CollegeHarrison, ARPublic$3,000โ€”37.8
6Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville, ARPublic$5,995โ€”32.9

Top 5 Database Administration Programs in Arkansas: Side-by-Side

SchoolU of Arkansas GranthamU of Arkansas at Little RockHardingArkansas State University...North Arkansas College
Rank
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
In-State Tuition
$7,080
$6,600
$24,240
$2,616
$3,000
Graduation Rate
N/A%
N/A%
N/A%
N/A%
N/A%
Annual Graduates
24
21
38
4
1
Acceptance Rate
N/A
58%
100%
N/A
N/A
Type
Public
Public
Private
Public
Public
Score
51.4/100
48.7/100
45.8/100
41.3/100
37.8/100

Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Database Administration in Arkansas

Arkansas offers 4 bachelor's-level database administration programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Arkansas Grantham, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Arkansas Tech University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $60,011 in the Arkansas market.

A bachelor's in database administration typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Database Administration Bachelor's Programs guide.

Top 3 Database Administration Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 U of Arkansas Grantham
$7,080
N/A%
24
51.4
#2 U of Arkansas at Little Rock
$6,600
N/A%
5
40.5
#3 Arkansas Tech
$5,995
N/A%
5
32.9

Top Database Administration Schools for Master's Degrees in Arkansas

For graduate study, Arkansas offers 2 master's-level database administration programs. Leading institutions include University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Harding University. 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 database administration master's programs for more options beyond Arkansas.

Top 3 Database Administration Master's Programs in Arkansas

SchoolTuitionGrad RateGraduatesScore
#1 U of Arkansas at Little Rock
$6,600
N/A%
21
48.7
#2 Harding
$24,240
N/A%
38
45.8

Most Affordable Database Administration Colleges in Arkansas

For budget-conscious students, the most affordable database administration programs in Arkansas are at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home ($2,616/year), North Arkansas College ($3,000/year), Arkansas Tech University ($5,995/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Arkansas's competitive tech salaries.

At Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, a 4-year degree costs approximately $10,464 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $60,011, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.4 years. See our Most Affordable Database Administration Programs for national comparisons.

Most Affordable Database Administration Programs in Arkansas (with ROI)

SchoolAnnual Tuition4-Year CostPayback PeriodType
#1 Arkansas State University...
$2,616
$10,464
0.4 years
Public
#2 North Arkansas College
$3,000
$12,000
0.5 years
Public
#3 Arkansas Tech
$5,995
$23,980
1 years
Public

Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Database Administration Schools in Arkansas

Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 database administration 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.

#1

University of Arkansas Grantham

LIttle Rock, AR โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $7,080 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Administration Graduates: 24 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: N/A%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 51.4 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 24 database administration graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 51.4 / 100

Why Ranked #1

Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (24 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#2

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, AR โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $6,600 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Administration Graduates: 21 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 58%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 48.7 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 21 database administration graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 48.7 / 100

Why Ranked #2

Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (21 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (58% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#3

Harding University

Searcy, AR โ€ข Private

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $24,240 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Administration Graduates: 38 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 45.8 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 38 database administration graduates annually
  • Private institution
  • Overall score: 45.8 / 100

Why Ranked #3

Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (38 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (100% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#4

Arkansas State University-Mountain Home

Mountain Home, AR โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $2,616 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Administration Graduates: 4 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: N/A%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 41.3 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 4 database administration graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 41.3 / 100

Why Ranked #4

Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (4 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

#5

North Arkansas College

Harrison, AR โ€ข Public

Delivery:On-Campus

Program Highlights

  • โ€ข Annual Tuition: $3,000 (in-state)
  • โ€ข Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
  • โ€ข Database Administration Graduates: 1 annually
  • โ€ข Acceptance Rate: N/A%
  • โ€ข Ranking Score: 37.8 / 100

Program Strengths

  • N/A% graduation rate
  • 1 database administration graduates annually
  • Public institution
  • Overall score: 37.8 / 100

Why Ranked #5

Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (1 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.

$60,011
Starting Salary
$85,730
Mid-Career
+17%
Job Growth
112
Annual Openings

Career Paths

+17%

Software Developer opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$80,767

Systems Analyst

SOC 15-1211
+10%

Systems Analyst opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$92,415

IT Manager

SOC 15-1299
+15%

IT Manager opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$86,596
+15%

Technical Consultant opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$93,399

Database Administrator opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.

Median Salary:$77,918

Database Administration Programs in Other States

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Arkansas if...
  • 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
Consider other states if...
  • You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
  • You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Arkansas's 6)
  • You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration

Database Administration in Arkansas FAQ

Ranking Methodology

Based on 6 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024

Program Strength35%

Database Administration degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)

Graduation Rate25%

6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023

Selectivity20%

Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)

Career Outcomes20%

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

Official University Websites

Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data

Taylor Rupe

Taylor Rupe

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