Arkansas has a solid and growing nursing education infrastructure, with programs spread across the state’s major university system, regional colleges, and community colleges. Anchored by institutions in Little Rock, Fayetteville, Jonesboro, and Russellville, the state produces a steady stream of RN graduates serving a healthcare workforce that includes large regional health systems, rural critical access hospitals, and an expanding outpatient sector. Arkansas is a full member of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), meaning Arkansas-resident nurses who meet eligibility requirements hold a multi-state license valid across all compact states.
Program options range from LPN certificates and ADN degrees through BSN, accelerated BSN, and graduate-level MSN programs. Demand is particularly strong in the Little Rock metro, home to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and several major health system employers.
NLC compact membership
Arkansas is a full member of the Nursing Licensure Compact. The Arkansas legislature passed the enhanced NLC (eNLC) at the 2017 General Assembly, and Arkansas implemented the enhanced compact on January 19, 2018, when the eNLC launched nationwide.
Under the NLC, nurses whose primary state of residence is Arkansas and who meet the uniform licensure requirements – including a federal and state fingerprint-based criminal background check – receive a single multi-state license valid for practice in all current NLC member states. As of 2026, more than 40 states participate in the compact.
Practical implications: compact licensure is a significant benefit for Arkansas nurses pursuing travel nursing assignments, per diem work across state lines into Tennessee, Oklahoma, or Missouri, and temporary assignments in other compact states. Nurses who relocate their primary residence to another compact state apply for licensure there; nurses moving to Arkansas from another compact state can apply for an Arkansas multi-state license.
Verify current NLC membership and eligibility requirements at nursecompact.com or the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. For a full guide to licensing rules across states, see nursing license by state.
Types of nursing programs available
Arkansas’s nursing education system covers every preparation level, with particular depth in ADN and BSN programs.
LPN programs (12–18 months) LPN training is available at community colleges and vocational institutions statewide. LPNs can advance to RN status through LPN-to-ADN or LPN-to-BSN bridge programs, several of which are offered at Arkansas institutions.
ADN programs (2 years post-prerequisites) Associate Degree in Nursing programs are offered at community colleges and regional institutions across Arkansas. ADN graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN and enter practice as registered nurses. Arkansas’s community college ADN pipeline is well-developed and serves rural and regional nursing workforce needs.
BSN programs (4 years) Four-year BSN programs are available at the University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, Arkansas Tech University, Harding University, and other institutions. BSN graduates are preferred by major health systems including UAMS, Baptist Health, and CHI St. Vincent.
Accelerated BSN (12–18 months) Accelerated BSN programs serve candidates with a bachelor’s degree in another field. The University of Arkansas and Arkansas State University both offer accelerated tracks that compress nursing coursework into intensive full-time study.
RN-to-BSN bridge programs Online RN-to-BSN completion programs are available at multiple Arkansas institutions and are widely used by the state’s large ADN-prepared nursing workforce. Most are structured for working RNs with flexible scheduling.
MSN programs Graduate nursing education is available through the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Tech University, and Harding University, covering nurse practitioner, nursing leadership, and education specializations.
| Program type | Length | Entry requirement |
|---|---|---|
| LPN | 12–18 months | High school diploma or GED |
| ADN | ~2 years | Prerequisites completed |
| BSN | 4 years | High school diploma |
| Accelerated BSN | 12–18 months | Bachelor’s degree (any field) |
| RN-to-BSN | 12–24 months online | Active RN license |
| MSN/DNP | 2–4 years | BSN + RN license |
Admission requirements
Admission requirements vary by program level, but core expectations are consistent across most Arkansas ADN and BSN programs.
Academic prerequisites: Most programs require Anatomy & Physiology I and II (with lab), Microbiology (with lab), General Chemistry or Biology, English Composition, Psychology, and Mathematics or Statistics. Science prerequisites must typically be completed within the past 5–7 years with a grade of C or higher.
GPA: Minimum cumulative GPA requirements generally run 2.5–3.0. Competitive BSN applicants at the University of Arkansas’s Eleanor Mann School of Nursing and UAMS typically present science GPAs of 3.2 and above. Programs with limited seat availability are competitive even among minimally qualified applicants. If your GPA falls below typical thresholds, see our guide on nursing schools that accept lower GPAs.
Entrance exams: The ATI TEAS is the most widely required entrance exam for Arkansas nursing programs. Some programs also accept the HESI A2. Competitive scores for ADN programs typically run at or above the 60th percentile; BSN programs at research universities often seek scores at the 70th percentile and above. See ATI TEAS vs. HESI A2 for a detailed comparison.
Healthcare experience: Many Arkansas BSN programs recommend or require documented direct patient care experience – CNA work, EMT certification, or medical volunteering. Requirements vary by institution.
Background check and drug screening: Required by all Arkansas programs and clinical placement sites. Contact the Arkansas State Board of Nursing for guidance on how prior criminal history affects licensure eligibility.
For a full prerequisites breakdown by program type, see nursing school prerequisites.
Top nursing programs in Arkansas
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Nursing – Little Rock UAMS is Arkansas’s primary academic medical center and home to the state’s most comprehensive nursing school. The College of Nursing is CCNE-accredited and offers BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. Embedded within UAMS’s clinical enterprise – which includes a major academic hospital and extensive outpatient services – students gain access to high-acuity and specialized clinical environments that are rare at smaller institutions. UAMS is the preferred training ground for nurses entering Arkansas’s largest health systems.
University of Arkansas Eleanor Mann School of Nursing – Fayetteville The University of Arkansas’s flagship campus hosts the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, which offers a BSN, an accelerated BSN, an RN-to-BSN program, and an LPN-to-BSN track. The 15-month ABSN program is accredited by CCNE and attracts career changers seeking an accelerated path to RN practice. Located in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro – one of Arkansas’s fastest-growing regions – the school has strong placement ties with Northwest Health and Washington Regional Medical Center.
Arkansas State University College of Nursing and Health Professions – Jonesboro Arkansas State’s nursing programs include LPN, ADN, BSN, and graduate tracks. The BSN program is ACEN-accredited, and ASU offers a 15-month accelerated BSN for career changers. ASU’s location in Jonesboro serves northeast Arkansas’s healthcare workforce, with clinical partnerships across St. Bernards Healthcare and regional critical access hospitals.
Arkansas Tech University School of Nursing – Russellville Arkansas Tech offers an LPN program, a pre-licensure BSN, LPN-to-BSN and RN-to-BSN bridge programs, and an MS in Nursing Administration – all with ACEN accreditation. ATU’s nursing programs serve students across the River Valley region, with clinical placements at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center and surrounding facilities.
Harding University Carr College of Nursing – Searcy Harding’s Carr College of Nursing offers a traditional four-year BSN and a hybrid accelerated BSN for undergraduates, along with MSN tracks in nursing education and family nurse practitioner. The program is known for a values-centered curriculum and strong faculty-to-student mentoring. NCLEX first-attempt pass rates have been consistently strong.
National Park College – Hot Springs National Park College offers LPN and ASN programs accredited for entry-level practice. Students can bridge from ASN to BSN through consortium arrangements with Arkansas universities. Pass rates have run above 85% in recent years, and the college’s affordable tuition makes it a practical entry point for students in the Hot Springs region.
| School | Location | Degrees offered | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAMS College of Nursing | Little Rock | BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE |
| University of Arkansas (Eleanor Mann) | Fayetteville | BSN, ABSN, RN-to-BSN | CCNE |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro | LPN, ADN, BSN, ABSN, MSN | ACEN |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville | LPN, BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN | ACEN |
| Harding University (Carr College) | Searcy | BSN, ABSN, MSN | Accredited |
| National Park College | Hot Springs | LPN, ASN | ACEN |
NCLEX pass rates and program quality
The Arkansas State Board of Nursing oversees RN and LPN licensure and monitors NCLEX pass rate data by program. First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for Arkansas-educated candidates generally track near the national average, which has run approximately 82–87% for US-educated first-time test takers in recent years.
Program pass rates vary across Arkansas’s institutions. Programs consistently achieving first-attempt rates above 85% demonstrate strong outcome performance. National Park College, Harding University, and MTSU have reported rates above 85% in recent cycles. Programs with sustained rates below 75–80% warrant closer review before enrollment.
Program-specific NCLEX pass rate data can be accessed through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) or the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. See the board’s website for the most current program-level data.
Nursing salary expectations in Arkansas
Arkansas RN salaries fall below the national average, reflecting the state’s lower cost of living and the wage structure of its regional healthcare market.
| Setting | Approximate annual RN salary |
|---|---|
| Little Rock metro | $74,000–$88,000 |
| Fayetteville/NW Arkansas metro | $70,000–$82,000 |
| Jonesboro area | $65,000–$75,000 |
| Rural Arkansas | $58,000–$68,000 |
| Travel nursing (AR-based) | $75,000–$110,000+ (varies) |
Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data places Arkansas’s mean annual RN wage at approximately $78,860 ($37.91 per hour), compared to the national mean of approximately $93,600. While Arkansas salaries trail national figures by a meaningful margin, the state’s low cost of living – particularly outside Little Rock – partially offsets the gap in purchasing power terms. Rural and critical access hospitals frequently supplement salaries with loan repayment programs and sign-on incentives to compete for nurses in medically underserved areas.
For a full cost-benefit analysis of nursing education investment, see is nursing school worth the debt?.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arkansas a compact nursing state? Yes. Arkansas is a full member of the Nursing Licensure Compact. The state enacted the enhanced NLC (eNLC) in 2017 and implemented it on January 19, 2018. An Arkansas RN license issued to an Arkansas resident serves as a multi-state license, valid for practice in all current NLC member states without additional licensing applications. Verify current compact status and eligibility at nursecompact.com.
How long does nursing school take in Arkansas? ADN programs take approximately two years of full-time clinical coursework after prerequisites are completed. BSN programs are four years. Accelerated BSN programs for career changers with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree run approximately 12–18 months of intensive full-time study. RN-to-BSN bridge programs for working RNs typically take 12–24 months online.
What GPA do I need for nursing school in Arkansas? Most Arkansas nursing programs require a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5–3.0. Competitive programs at UAMS and the University of Arkansas typically see admitted applicants with science GPAs of 3.2 and above. Community college ADN programs may have lower minimums but accept limited cohorts, so competition is high. See nursing school GPA requirements for a full breakdown.
How much do RNs make in Arkansas? BLS OEWS 2024 data places Arkansas’s mean annual RN wage at approximately $78,860, below the national mean of $93,600. The Little Rock metro and major health systems such as UAMS and Baptist Health tend to pay at the higher end of the state range; rural and critical access hospital positions often include loan repayment or sign-on bonuses. For the full cost-benefit picture, see is nursing school worth the debt?.