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Last Updated: October 08, 2021

Arkansas - The Natural State

The state of Arkansas is located towards the Southern part of the U.S. Arkansas is bordered by the states of Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma. The capital city of Arkansas is Little Rock which is also the most populous city of the state. The estimated population of the state in the year 2021 is approximately 3 million. Native American tribes such as the Chickasaw, Osage, Quapaw, Caddo, Plum Bayou, and Tunica were the original inhabitants of this region. The state received its statehood in the year 1836, making it the 25th state of the US. The climate in Arkansas is mostly hot and humid, with cool and dry winters. Summers can be extremely hot, and the rainy season in Arkansas can easily bring about floods and thunderstorms. Fall is the ideal time when a lot of visitors choose to visit Arkansas as it mostly stays dry and colorful.

Major Cities in Arkansas

Little Rock

With a population of almost 203,000, Little Rock is the largest city of Arkansas. Founded during the La Salle Expedition in 1682, this is also the capital city of this state. Little Rock is a vibrant city and is also a major industrial and transportation hub. One of the most reputed institutions of higher learning, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is situated here. Some of the most visited tourist attractions in this city are the Old State House Museum, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Arkansas State Capitol, The Old Mill, and so on.

Fort Smith

Fort Smith has a population of around 94,000 and is the second-biggest city in Arkansas. The city was founded in 1817 and was named in honor of an American military officer called Thomas Adams Smith. The University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is a popular educational institution located here. The city is also a major manufacturing center and houses some of the largest companies like Goodyear, Cintas Corporation, Dillard's, Inc., Rheem Manufacturing Company, and so on.

Fayetteville

With an estimated population of around 90,000, Fayetteville is the third-largest city in Arkansas. The region was originally inhabited by the native American tribe called the Osage Indians. Situated in Washington County, Fayetteville was established as a city in 1871. The University of Arkansas in this city is said to be the most prestigious institute of higher learning. The city is also a major transportation hub. Some of the popular sites in this city are Fayetteville Farmers' Market, Wilson Park, Botanical Garden of the Ozarks, The Arkansas Air & Military Museum, and so on.

Springdale

The estimated population of Springdale is over 84,000 which makes it the fourth-largest city in Arkansas. Founded in the 1830s, the region was originally known as Shiloh as it was named after the "Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church". It was later renamed Springdale and was established as a city on April 1, 1878. Some of the major attractions in this city are Ozark Highlands Nature Center, Parsons Stadium, Fitzgerald Mountain, Arkansas & Missouri Railroad, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, and so on.

Economy/Job Market

Tuition Fee and Living Cost in Arkansas

The cost of living is a lot lower than the national average. Housing costs are incredibly cheap, followed by transportation and healthcare. Some of the most expensive cities in Arkansas are Fayetteville, Conway, North Little Rock, and the capital city of Little Rock. De Queen, Stuttgart, Blytheville, Walnut Ridge, and Berryville are some of the most affordable cities in this state.

Education costs are affordable and the tuition costs are moderate to low in Arkansas, especially for the in-state students (in public institutions). Hendrix College in Conway is probably the only exception of being the most expensive private college in Arkansas. The tuition fee for undergraduates is over $50,000, which is higher than the national average.

List of Few Major Universities/Colleges

A lot of pupils from across the nation choose to pursue their higher education from the state of Arkansas, especially for a graduate degree. Some of the top universities/colleges in Arkansas are:

Scholarships/Financial Aid for Students

Tourism

Arkansas got its nickname "The Natural State" because of the unparalleled beauty offered by nature. The state is not just rich in natural resources but also its topographical diversity. Arkansas is surrounded by some of the best views of mountains, lakes, streams, valleys, forests, and a lot more. The state's charm reaches its peak during Autumn. Visitors get to enjoy the brilliant colors of Fall with great ease because of the most favorable weather during the season. Some of the best sites worth exploring are Hot Springs National Park, Buffalo National River, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Little Rock Zoo, Mammoth Spring State Park, Crater of Diamonds State Park, Mount Magazine State Park, and several others.

Universities & Colleges in Arkansas

University (city) Total StudentsUG (in) / UG (out)G (in) / G (out)
University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) 30459$10454 / $27181$9409 / $24045
University of Arkansas at Little Rock (Little Rock) 12993$10454 / $22999$8363 / $15681
Hendrix College (Conway) 1226$50181 / $50181$50181 / $50181
Harding University (Searcy) 5717$21954 / $21954$14636 / $14636
John Brown University (Siloam Springs) 2781$26136 / $26136$14636 / $14636
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (Magnolia) 5182$9409 / $14636$7318 / $10454
Arkansas State University-Main Campus (Jonesboro) 18977$9409 / $16727$7318 / $12545
Lyon College (Batesville) 715$27181 / $27181$N/A / $N/A
Henderson State University (Arkadelphia) 4565$9409 / $11499$7318 / $8363
Ouachita Baptist University (Arkadelphia) 1538$26136 / $26136$N/A / $N/A
University of Central Arkansas (Conway) 12741$10454 / $16727$7318 / $12545
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (Pine Bluff) 2818$9409 / $15681$8363 / $15681
University of the Ozarks (Clarksville) 651$26136 / $26136$N/A / $N/A
Central Baptist College (Conway) 881$15681 / $15681$N/A / $N/A
Williams Baptist College (Walnut Ridge) 541$17772 / $17772$N/A / $N/A
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (Little Rock) 2996$9409 / $17772$10454 / $18818
Ecclesia College (Springdale) 257$16727 / $16727$12545 / $12545
Crowley's Ridge College (Paragould) 226$12545 / $12545$N/A / $N/A
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith (Fort Smith) 7365$6272 / $14636$9409 / $13590
Arkansas Baptist College (Little Rock) 990$9409 / $9409$N/A / $N/A
Philander Smith College (Little Rock) 584$13590 / $13590$N/A / $N/A
Arkansas Tech University (Russellville) 13722$8363 / $14636$7318 / $12545
University of Arkansas at Monticello (Monticello) 3716$8363 / $14636$10454 / $16727

*UG - Undergraduate
*G - Graduate
*in - In-state Fees
*out - Out-of-State Fees
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