The Best Bachelor's in Business Administration Programs in Arkansas for 2027
Key Points: Best Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas
- John Brown University ranks #1 in Arkansas on an 82.3 Program Score, with a 72% graduation rate.
- The hardest to get into is Lyon College (#3), which admits 63% of applicants.
- Private schools hold most of the places on this list.
- Cost and quality are not opposites here: the lowest-tuition program on the list, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, ranks #5.
- Programs analyzed
- 8
- In-state tuition range
- $4,752-$33,780
- Average graduation rate
- 47%
- Median salary (BLS)
- $105,770
We analyzed 8 business programs in Arkansas on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes to rank where a bachelor's in business administration actually pays off. In-state tuition among the 8 ranked programs in Arkansas runs from $4,752 to $33,780 a year, a $29,028 spread for the same credential.
John Brown University tops the list with an 82.3 Program Score on a 72% graduation rate, at $30,374 a year in-state. Across all 8 ranked schools, the average graduation rate is 47%, ranging from 26% to 72%. The national median pay in the field is $105,770 a year per the BLS, the same benchmark every ranked school here feeds into regardless of tuition paid.
The Top Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas at a Glance
John Brown leads at 82.3, and Philander Smith closes the chart at 58.2. Longer bars rank higher.
How the Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas Are Scored
Each Program Score runs from 0 to 100: outcomes count for 44%, selectivity and academics for 38%, and scale and value for 18%, all from federal data. See how the weights work.
The 8 Best Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas, Ranked for 2027
The 8 best Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas, ranked by outcomes.
John Brown University
Siloam Springs, AR · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 72%
- Admit rate
- 76%
- In-state
- $30,374
- Out-of-state
- $30,374
John Brown University's online BBA in Management has no minimum credit-hour requirement to enroll and offers a 4+1 route to a master's degree.
- Program Score 82.3
- 72% graduation rate
- $30,374 tuition for all students
- 100% online with a 4+1 master's route
John Brown University (JBU) offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management that is delivered 100% online. The program teaches how organizations operate and introduces functional areas such as marketing, strategy and finance, with a focus on leading creatively and with a global mindset. Business is taught from a Christian perspective. The page says students do not need a minimum number of prior credit hours to enroll, that the minimum GPA is 2.0 for first-time students, and that no test score is required. An accelerated 4+1 option lets students finish the management degree and a master's degree in five years.
The Program Score of 82.3 out of 100 is the basis of this ranking. Federal data show a 72% graduation rate and a 76% admit rate. Tuition is $30,374 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program fits working adults and distance learners who want a faith-informed management degree on their own schedule, and students who plan to continue to a master's degree. Budget-minded applicants should weigh the private tuition against the flat online structure.
Ouachita Baptist University
Arkadelphia, AR · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 61%
- Admit rate
- 68%
- In-state
- $33,780
- Out-of-state
- $33,780
Ouachita Baptist University's BA in Business Administration offers four emphases, entrepreneurship, management, marketing and sport management, within an AACSB-accredited school.
- Program Score 79
- 61% graduation rate
- $33,780 tuition for all students
- Four emphases including sport management
Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) offers a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration through its Hickingbotham School of Business. Students choose one or more emphases: entrepreneurship (12 hours), management (9 hours), marketing (9 hours) or sport management (12 hours, built with the Department of Kinesiology). Featured courses include business ethics, corporate financial management, global business, management information systems and organizational behavior. Entrepreneurship students can test ideas through the OBU Business Plan Competition. The school reports AACSB accreditation and describes itself as one of a handful of undergraduate-only business schools in the world to hold it. Listed career options include small business owner, consultant, market research analyst and sales manager.
The Program Score of 79 out of 100 is the basis of this ranking. Federal data show a 61% graduation rate and a 68% admit rate. Tuition is $33,780 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program fits students who want a choice of focused emphases inside one flexible business major, and who value a business school dedicated to undergraduates. The school also points to internship and job opportunities fostered by personal attention from faculty.
Lyon College
Batesville, AR · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 47%
- Admit rate
- 63%
- In-state
- $29,900
- Out-of-state
- $29,900
Lyon College's business administration curriculum includes a career professionalism course, an internship and a senior thesis alongside a business strategy capstone course.
- Program Score 74.2
- 47% graduation rate
- $29,900 tuition for all students
- Internship and senior thesis courses
Lyon College lists its Business Administration program within the Accounting, Business and Economics department. The course catalog shows a broad core: principles of accounting, principles of management, marketing, consumer behavior, organizational behavior, business law, statistical applications to business decisions, production management and human resource management. Upper-level work includes entrepreneurship, international business, marketing research, organization theory and a business strategy course. Several experiences stand out on the page, including a one-credit business simulation, a one-credit career professionalism course on resumes, portfolios and interviews, a three-credit internship in business administration and a senior thesis.
The Program Score of 74.2 out of 100 is the basis of this ranking. Federal data show a 47% graduation rate and a 63% admit rate. Tuition is $29,900 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program suits students who want a small residential college, where enrollment is about 660, and who value hands-on requirements such as an internship and a thesis over a menu of narrow specializations. The 47% completion rate and the private-college price are worth weighing against that individual attention.
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR · Public
- Grad rate
- 55%
- Admit rate
- 82%
- In-state
- $7,488
- Out-of-state
- $13,920
Arkansas State University's 120-credit BS in Business Administration is taught in an AACSB-accredited college and is also offered online.
- Program Score 72.1
- 55% graduation rate
- $7,488 in-state tuition
- AACSB-accredited college, online option
Arkansas State University (A-State) offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through the Neil Griffin College of Business. The 120-credit degree builds knowledge across accounting, marketing, management and international business, and the school positions it for students who want to lead teams, start a company or continue into a graduate business program. The page names careers such as sales manager, business operations specialist, human resources manager and advertising manager. The same degree is also offered online. The page says the college holds AACSB accreditation, and it lists a 3.0 GPA requirement for incoming students, with 2.0 for transfers.
The Program Score of 72.1 out of 100 is the basis of this ranking. Federal data show a 55% graduation rate and an 82% admit rate. In-state tuition is $7,488 and out-of-state tuition is $13,920. The program fits students who want a public university price and a broad general business degree, and who may want the option to study on campus or online. The university enrolls about 15,700 students, so a wide range of student services is available.
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR · Public
- Grad rate
- 38%
- Admit rate
- 80%
- In-state
- $4,752
- Out-of-state
- $9,600
The fully online B.B.A. completion option lets students transfer up to 75 lower-level semester hours toward the 120-hour degree.
- 38% graduation rate
- Program Score 68.7
- $4,752 in-state tuition
- Online completion, 75 transfer hours
The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (UAFS) offers a Bachelor of Business Administration, and the page describes a fully online completion option for students who already hold an associate degree or have transferable general education or business coursework. The degree totals 120 credit hours, and up to 75 lower-level semester hours can transfer in. The curriculum covers core business functions and strategies in finance, marketing, ethics and management, and students choose major electives that match their career interests. Learning outcomes include communication, critical thinking and quantitative reasoning. The school reports that its business programs hold AACSB accreditation.
Federal data shows a 38% graduation rate and an 80% admit rate. In-state tuition is $4,752, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. The program has a Program Score of 68.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. UAFS enrolls about 5,496 students, and the online completion format fits transfer students and working adults who want to finish a bachelor's degree without relocating. Arkansas residents get the largest tuition advantage, while the format still works for students elsewhere who have credits to bring.
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 49%
- Admit rate
- 96%
- In-state
- $5,995
- Out-of-state
- $11,989
Arkansas Tech University's Business Management degree can be completed 100% online or on campus, with an accelerated bachelor's-to-MBA option.
- Program Score 66
- $5,995 in-state tuition
- 96% admit rate
- 100% online or on-campus, stackable certificates
Arkansas Tech University (ATU) offers a Business Management bachelor's degree through its LeMoyne Smith School of Business. The page describes an eight-semester degree map designed to finish in four years, with practical work in leadership, human resources and entrepreneurship. Students can use electives to earn a certificate in Entrepreneurship, Human Resource Management, Microsoft Applications or Business Data Analytics, and an Accelerated Bachelor to Master Degree program lets them earn dual credit toward the MBA. Experiences listed include the Governor's Cup business plan competition, a study abroad option and a New York Wall Street Experience. The school reports AACSB accreditation and says the program is 100% available online or on campus.
The Program Score of 66 out of 100 is the basis of this ranking. Federal data show a 49% graduation rate and a 96% admit rate. In-state tuition is $5,995 and out-of-state tuition is $11,989. The program fits students who want a low-cost public option, a flexible online path or a head start on an MBA. The 49% graduation rate suggests students benefit from planning their schedule early, and the near-open admit rate makes entry straightforward.
Williams Baptist University
Walnut Ridge, AR · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 26%
- Admit rate
- 83%
- In-state
- $19,600
- Out-of-state
- $19,600
The B.S. in Business Administration pairs 45 hours of core business classes with room to minor in another discipline.
- 26% graduation rate
- Program Score 59.7
- $19,600 tuition for all students
- 45-hour core with a minor option
Williams Baptist University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration built to produce strong business generalists. According to the program page, the major includes 45 hours of core business classes and 9 to 12 hours of business electives. The remaining 18 to 21 hours are left open so students can minor in another discipline such as communication arts, sociology or psychology. The page does not list formal concentrations, so the program suits students who want a broad business foundation rather than a narrow specialty, and who would like to pair it with a second area of study.
Federal data shows a 26% graduation rate and an 83% admit rate. In-state and out-of-state tuition are the same at $19,600. The program has a Program Score of 59.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. Williams Baptist enrolls about 517 students, so the program fits those who prefer a small private campus. Because the graduation rate is below half, applicants should ask about advising, scheduling and support services that help students finish the degree, and compare the tuition figure against the aid they could receive.
Philander Smith University
Little Rock, AR · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 30%
- Admit rate
- Open admission
- In-state
- $11,804
- Out-of-state
- $11,804
Students earn a Bachelor of Business Administration with one of five concentrations, in a division the school reports has held ACBSP accreditation since 2005.
- 30% graduation rate
- Program Score 58.2
- $11,804 tuition for all students
- Five concentrations including healthcare administration
Philander Smith University awards a Bachelor of Business Administration through its Division of Business Administration. After general education, students take introductory courses in economics, management, communication, marketing and mathematics, then declare one concentration: accounting, entrepreneurship, healthcare administration, management or marketing. The page says majors are encouraged to build practical experience through class projects, internships and student-run business organizations, and that students must keep a GPA of 2.5 or higher to remain in the program. The school reports that the program has been accredited by ACBSP since 2005.
Federal data shows a 30% graduation rate, and Philander Smith is an open admission school. Tuition is $11,804 for in-state and out-of-state students alike. The program has a Program Score of 58.2 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. With about 780 students overall, it is a small campus, so the program fits students who want close contact with faculty and a choice of five tracks, including healthcare administration. Students who need extra support to finish should look closely at how the division advises, given the graduation rate.
Open admission: the school admits every qualified applicant, so it reports no admit rate.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas
The median school on this list graduates 48% of its students. The highest rates belong to John Brown University (72%) and Ouachita Baptist University (61%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.
- #1 John Brown University72% graduation rate
- #2 Ouachita Baptist University61% graduation rate
- #4 Arkansas State University55% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas?
On this list, 1 of 8 schools is open-admission, taking every qualified applicant. Every school here that reports an admit rate takes at least half of its applicants; the median is 80%.
- #3 Lyon College63% admitted
- #2 Ouachita Baptist University68% admitted
- #1 John Brown University76% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Public and Private Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas
This list holds 3 public and 5 private nonprofit schools. Their median Program Scores: 68.7 public and 74.2 private nonprofit.
Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.
Campus Size Across the Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas
Enrollment on this list runs from 517 at Williams Baptist University to 15,726 at Arkansas State University. Of the 8, 5 enroll fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs | Average net priceNet price |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | John Brown UniversityJohn Brown | $70,720 | $22,476 |
| #2 | Ouachita Baptist UniversityOuachita Baptist | $66,175 | $25,343 |
| #4 | Arkansas State UniversityArkansas State | $47,023 | $15,441 |
| #5 | University of Arkansas-Fort SmithArkansas-Fort Smith | $50,020 | $9,653 |
| #6 | Arkansas Tech UniversityArkansas Tech | $56,643 | $11,332 |
| #7 | Williams Baptist UniversityWilliams Baptist | $46,062 | $17,814 |
| #8 | Philander Smith UniversityPhilander Smith | $43,163 | $22,153 |
Graduates of John Brown earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $70,720; the lowest figure here is $43,163 at Philander Smith.
John Brown leads on both counts: the top rank among these schools and the highest graduate pay.
Net price, what the average aided undergraduate pays after grants, ranges from $9,653 a year at Arkansas-Fort Smith to $25,343 at Ouachita Baptist.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level; net price is for full-time first-time undergraduates receiving aid.
What a Bachelor's in Business Administration Costs in Arkansas
In-state tuition among the 8 ranked programs in Arkansas runs from $4,752 to $33,780 a year. University of Arkansas-Fort Smith anchors the low end at $4,752, while Ouachita Baptist University sits at the top at $33,780. At public schools that in-state figure is the resident rate; out-of-state students routinely pay two to three times as much, which can reorder this list entirely for anyone moving in from elsewhere.
Run the four-year math and the gap widens: about $19,008 in tuition at the low end against roughly $135,120 at the high end for the same bachelor's in business administration. Against the national median of $105,770 a year, the cheaper degree pays its tuition back far faster.
Published annual tuition and required fees reported to IPEDS. Private schools charge one rate regardless of residency; public schools charge non-residents the out-of-state rate shown on each card.
Online Business Administration Options in Arkansas
3 of the 8 ranked Arkansas programs offer a confirmed online or distance-education option, which widens access for working students who cannot relocate. An accredited online business degree carries the same standing as its on-campus version, since accreditation attaches to the program and school, not the delivery format.
- #1 John Brown UniversitySiloam Springs, AR
- #2 Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia, AR
- #6 Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville, AR
Based on each school reporting distance-education offerings to IPEDS. Whether this specific degree is fully online varies, so confirm the format with the school.
Business Administration Careers and Pay After an Arkansas Program
Every degree on this list points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay in the field at $105,770 a year, a figure that applies across the profession rather than to any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $4,752 or $33,780 a year in tuition. That is the core tradeoff this ranking is built to expose: a higher price does not buy a higher starting salary in the federal wage data.
Keep Exploring
Business Administration Bachelor's Programs in Arkansas: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best business degree in Arkansas?
By Program Score, John Brown University ranks first among the 8 business administration programs in Arkansas we analyzed, with an 82.3 score and a 72% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one.
How much does a business degree cost in Arkansas?
In-state tuition among the ranked Arkansas programs runs from $4,752 to $33,780 a year. These are resident rates at public schools; out-of-state students pay more, so confirm your residency status and check the out-of-state column before comparing.
Is an online business degree respected by employers?
Yes, when the school is accredited. An accredited online degree lists the same on a transcript as the on-campus version, and accreditation, not delivery format, is what protects the credential. Every program ranked here is accredited and reporting to the federal IPEDS system.
What salary can graduates expect?
The BLS reports a national median of $105,770 a year for the field. That is a national benchmark, not an Arkansas-specific figure or a promised outcome for any single school, but it is the number every tuition dollar on this page should be measured against.