Top 3 Software Engineering Programs in Arkansas 2025
University of Arkansas
120 software engineering graduates annually, 80% graduation rate
Lyon College
14 software engineering graduates annually, 79% graduation rate
University of Arkansas Grantham
23 software engineering graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
- 1.Arkansas offers 14+ accredited software engineering 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)
Software Engineering Education in Arkansas: Overview
Arkansas offers 14 accredited software engineering programs, producing approximately 275 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 software engineering programs in the state are led by University of Arkansas, Lyon College, University of Arkansas Grantham, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Arkansas Software Engineering Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | Public | $7,666 | 80% | 76 |
| 2 | Lyon College | Batesville, AR | Private | $29,900 | 79% | 50.2 |
| 3 | University of Arkansas Grantham | LIttle Rock, AR | Public | $7,080 | — | 49.6 |
| 4 | Hendrix College | Conway, AR | Private | $36,300 | — | 46.8 |
| 5 | John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | Private | $29,488 | 86% | 46.8 |
| 6 | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | Public | $4,512 | — | 45.3 |
| 7 | Philander Smith University | Little Rock, AR | Private | $11,804 | — | 44.9 |
| 8 | Harding University | Searcy, AR | Private | $24,240 | — | 42.1 |
| 9 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | Public | $6,600 | — | 39.8 |
| 10 | Arkansas State University-Beebe | Beebe, AR | Public | $2,736 | — | 38.8 |
| 11 | Shorter College | N Little Rock, AR | Private | $4,800 | — | 37.5 |
| 12 | Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia, AR | Private | $31,780 | — | 36.9 |
| 13 | University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | Public | $7,140 | — | 34.7 |
| 14 | Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | Public | $5,995 | — | 32.9 |
Top 5 Software Engineering Programs in Arkansas: Side-by-Side
| School | U of Arkansas | Lyon College | U of Arkansas Grantham | Hendrix College | John Brown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $7,666 | $29,900 | $7,080 | $36,300 | $29,488 |
| Graduation Rate | 80% | 79% | N/A% | N/A% | 86% |
| Annual Graduates | 120 | 14 | 23 | 17 | 5 |
| Acceptance Rate | 72% | 66% | N/A | 53% | 68% |
| Type | Public | Private | Public | Private | Private |
| Score | 76.0/100 | 50.2/100 | 49.6/100 | 46.8/100 | 46.8/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Software Engineering in Arkansas
Arkansas offers 10 bachelor's-level software engineering 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 software engineering typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Arkansas | $7,666 | 80% | 120 | 76.0 |
| #2 U of Arkansas Grantham | $7,080 | N/A% | 25 | 50.2 |
| #3 Lyon College | $29,900 | 79% | 14 | 50.2 |
Top Software Engineering Schools for Master's Degrees in Arkansas
For graduate study, Arkansas offers 2 master's-level software engineering programs. Leading institutions include University of Arkansas, 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 software engineering master's programs for more options beyond Arkansas.
Top 3 Software Engineering Master's Programs in Arkansas
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Arkansas | $7,666 | 80% | 16 | 51.4 |
| #2 U of Central Arkansas | $7,140 | N/A% | 7 | 34.7 |
Most Affordable Software Engineering Colleges in Arkansas
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable software engineering programs in Arkansas are at Arkansas State University-Beebe ($2,736/year), University of Arkansas-Fort Smith ($4,512/year), Shorter College ($4,800/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Arkansas's competitive tech salaries.
At Arkansas State University-Beebe, a 4-year degree costs approximately $10,944 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $60,011, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.4 years. See our Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs in Arkansas (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Arkansas State University... | $2,736 | $10,944 | 0.4 years | Public |
| #2 U of Arkansas-Fort Smith | $4,512 | $18,048 | 0.7 years | Public |
| #3 Shorter College | $4,800 | $19,200 | 0.8 years | Private |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Software Engineering Schools in Arkansas
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 software engineering 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)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 120 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 72%
- • Ranking Score: 76.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 80% graduation rate
- 120 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 76.0 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (80%), program size (120 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (72% 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)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 14 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 66%
- • Ranking Score: 50.2 / 100
Program Strengths
- 79% graduation rate
- 14 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 50.2 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 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.
University of Arkansas Grantham
LIttle Rock, AR • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $7,080 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 23 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 49.6 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 23 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 49.6 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (23 graduates), state salary outcomes ($85,730), and selectivity (N/A% 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)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 17 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 53%
- • Ranking Score: 46.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 17 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 46.8 / 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)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 5 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 68%
- • Ranking Score: 46.8 / 100
Program Strengths
- 86% graduation rate
- 5 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 46.8 / 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
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Systems Analyst
SOC 15-1211Systems Analyst opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
IT Manager
SOC 15-1299IT Manager opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Technical Consultant
SOC 15-1299Technical Consultant opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Database Administrator opportunities in Arkansas with strong job growth.
Software Engineering 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 14)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Software Engineering in Arkansas FAQ
Based on 14 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Software Engineering 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.