Arkansas is located in the Southern region of the United States, where it was admitted into the Union in 1836. It is the 29th largest state in total area. Arkansas is bordered by six states; Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Little Rock is the capital of Arkansas, and the city is located on the Arkansas River. If you are looking to attend college in the Natural State, here are the safest colleges to consider.
For the sake of this list , a “college” is considered any accredited public or private not-for-profit institution that offers four-year degree programs. Campus crime stats, graduation rates, and student retention rates were taken from U.S. Department of Education annual reports. Campus crime rates are based on the number of crimes per 1,000 residents.
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#1 John Brown University
Located in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, John Brown University is the safest college in Arkansas. The university is a private liberal arts school that was founded in 1919. As an interdenominational college, John Brown University was established on Christian principles. The institution has a 70% acceptance rate, and the campus crime rate is 0 per 1000.
#2 Central Baptist College
Central Baptist College is a private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas, which is less than thirty minutes from the Arkansas River. The school is operated by the Baptist Missionary Association. It has a 12:1 student to faculty ratio and offers 18 different majors. The campus crime rate at Central Baptist College is 0 per 1000.
#3 Ouachita Baptist University
Established in 1886, Ouachita Baptist University is a private liberal arts college in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, which is on the Ouchita River for students who enjoy the outdoors. The school has 1,496 undergraduates that attend, and the acceptance rate is 70%. At Ouchita Baptist University, the campus crime rate is 0 per 1000.
#4 Arkansas Tech University
Arkansas Tech University is located Russellville, Arkansas, which is next to the Arkansas River. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate programs of study. The school has 312 full time faculty and a 17:1 student to faculty ratio. At Arkansas Tech University, the acceptance rate is 85%, and the campus crime rate is 0 per 1000.
#5 University of Ozarks
Located in Clarksville, Arkansas, the University of Ozarks is a private liberal arts school founded in 1834. The school is associated with the Presbyterian Church, and it was the first college in Arkansas to accept women. The average class size is 15 students. The campus crime rate at the University of Ozarks is 1 per 1000.
#6 Arkansas State University
Arkansas State University is a public institution located on the northeastern side of the state in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The school was founded in 1909 as an agricultural school. The school currently has 7,822 undergraduates that attend. The acceptance rate here is 76%, and the campus crime rate is 0 per 1000.
#7 University of Arkansas
Founded in 1871 as Arkansas Industrial University, the University of Arkansas is a public college located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The college is part of the larger University of Arkansas system, and it offers over 210 degree programs. 31% of the classes have fewer than 20 students. The campus crime rate is 0 per 1000.
#8 Southern Arkansas University
Found in Magnolia, Arkansas, Southern Arkansas State University is found on the southwestern side of the state less than an hour from Louisiana. It is a public university that was founded in 1909. The school has 2,415 undergraduate students and a 61% acceptance rate. The campus crime rate is 0 per 1000.
#9 University of Arkansas at Little Rock
The University of Arkansas is a public university located in the capital of Arkansas. Registered Nursing and Business Administration and Management are the most popular majors. The school has a 17:1 student to faculty ratio and 496 full time faculty members. The campus crime rate is 0 per 1000.
#10 University of Central Arkansas
Located in less than thirty minutes from the Arkansas River in Conway, Arkansas, the University of Central Arkansas is a state-funded university that was founded in 1907 as Arkansas State Normal School. Today, the school has 8,136 undergraduate students and a 90% acceptance rate. The campus crime rate is 0 per 1000.
#11 Hendrix College
Hendrix College is a private liberal arts college that can be found in Conway, Arkansas. The school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The average class size at Hendrix College is 17 students, and the student to faculty ratio is 11:1. The school offers 34 undergraduate majors, and the campus crime rate is 2 per 1000.
#12 Henderson State University
Found in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Henderson State University is a public liberal arts school founded in 1890. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Henderson State has 3,017 undergraduate students, and the acceptance rate is 62%. The campus crime rate here is 0 per 1000.
#13 Philander Smith College
Located in the capital, Little Rock, Philander Smith College is a historically black college that was founded as Walden Seminary in 1877. The school is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Philander Smith College offers 16 programs with a 13:1 student to faculty ratio. The campus crime rate is 3 per 1000.
