BSN Programs in Arkansas

Looking for a BSN program in Arkansas? You've got plenty of options to choose from - 15 schools across the state offer bachelor's degrees in nursing. What's nice is that you can find programs in both public and private universities, spread out across different parts of Arkansas, with quite a few concentrated in Central and Northwest regions.

Little Rock has become a real hub for nursing education. You'll find the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock there. Other cities worth checking out include Fayetteville, where the University of Arkansas has a campus, plus Conway and Searcy, home to the University of Central Arkansas and Harding University respectively.

Here are some specific examples... UAMS in Little Rock has shown a solid 92.1% NCLEX pass rate and earned the #4 ranking for RN programs in 2025. If you're thinking about their fall 2026 class, get your application materials and transcripts in by March 1st. As for costs, they charge $334 per credit hour for Arkansas residents in both their Traditional BSN and RN-BSN tracks, while out-of-state students pay $645 per credit hour for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Harding University presents an interesting alternative. This private school in Searcy has impressed with a 98.1% NCLEX pass rate and grabbed the top spot in the 2025 RN program rankings. They run on a different schedule - March 1st for fall admission and October 1st for spring. You'll need at least a 2.78 GPA in your prenursing coursework to get in without conditions. Arkansas Tech University in Russellville sets their bar at a 3.0 GPA for prerequisites and also sticks with that March 1st deadline for fall entry.

Once you graduate, you'll need to go through the Arkansas State Board of Nursing to get licensed. That means registering with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX exam and completing both state and federal criminal background checks - it's required by Arkansas law for anyone getting their initial RN license. When you're comparing programs, pay attention to those NCLEX pass rates and rankings alongside factors like location and whether they offer specific tracks that match your goals.

Where possible, we include NCLEX pass rates data for each campus. The average pass rates are calculated using the last 3 years of data. The average scores are then used in our annual RN/PN rankings. You can read more about it here. You can also view this year's rankings for Arkansas here.

Updated: March 12, 2026
Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

ACEN North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

BSN RN to BSN LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
97.2%
RN test takers per year
63
RN rank (2025)
#1
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend

The Arkansas Tech University nursing program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.

The program leads to the BSN degree after completing eight semesters of general education, course pre-requisites, and upper-division professional nursing courses.

The program employs clinical facilities and services in the Arkansas River Valley area although students should be prepared to travel out of this area to meet the objectives of certain courses.

Admissions requirements for the Nursing program:

  • Prerequisite grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Complete  General Education Requirements
  • CPR certification, student liability insurance, criminal background check and initiation of Hepatitis B shots

All application documents need to be submitted to the Department of nursing by the 1st of March for admission in the following fall semester. Applicants will be selected according to established admission criteria and ranked according to GPA.

Successful applicants will be required to complete the program within four years of entry into level one of the nursing curriculum. Students will need to maintain CPR certification, liability insurance and annual criminal background check throughout period of enrollment.

ATU also offers an RN to BSN completion program online as well as the regular on-campus program. 

Harding University

Harding University

Searcy, AR
Private
4-year

Accreditations

ACEN North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

BSN RN to BSN LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
98.1%
RN test takers per year
31
RN rank (2025)
#1
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend

The Harding University nursing program is fully approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission Inc.

The program offers two tracks to meet the needs of students. The first track is a Traditional full time program which awards the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree, with part time student options available.

The second track is the Advanced Placement Track available to students who possess a current and unencumbered nursing license in the State of Arkansas (RN to BSN, LPN to BSN). The college designs an individualized degree plan in collaboration with the student toward the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree with full time and part time options available.

Admission Requirements:

  1. High School Diploma or GED equivalency certificate (Students who attain a 3.0 high school grade point average and an ACT composite score of 19 or a SAT combined critical reading and math score of 900 qualify academically for unconditional admission)
  2. An overall GPA of 2.0 and a 2.5 GPA in pre-nursing courses
  3. Two References

There are two admissions every year. Applications for admission in fall must be received by the school by the 1st of March and applications for the spring semester must be received by the 1st of October.

Successful applicants must be present health documents showing health status, completing of current of immunizations (Varicella, Hepatits A and B vaccinations, tuberculosis skin test/chest x-ray, influenza vaccination and other laboratory test), current certification CPR, health and disability coverage prior to

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Magnolia, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

ACEN North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

BSN RN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
95.1%
RN test takers per year
31
RN rank (2025)
#2
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
University of Arkansas at Monticello

University of Arkansas at Monticello

Monticello, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

ACEN North Central Association of C... Council on Occupational Educat...

Programs Offered

BSN RN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
92.6%
RN test takers per year
12
RN rank (2025)
#4
NCLEX-PN pass rate
100.0%
PN test takers (avg)
12
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Little Rock, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

BSN RN to BSN LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
92.1%
RN test takers per year
99
RN rank (2025)
#4
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Nursing program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Admission Requirements

  • Completed application form
  • Official transcripts from issuing institutions
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 for all general education pre-requisite course
  • A minimum adjusted individual total TEAS V score of 60% (completed within the last two years)

All applications must be post marked no later than the 1st of March for summer or fall enrollment and no later than September 1st for spring admission.

Applicants will be notified of a decision by mail. The number of applicants accepted by the school will depend on the resources available.

Successful applicants will be required to have physical examinations and immunizations for Hepatitis B, TB skin test and CPR certification.

The college will require all students to submit to annual drug and criminal background check and all students will be required to have liability insurance throughout the nursing program.  Students who cannot verify insurance coverage prior to enrollment will not be allowed to register.

Students who are licensed as a nurse are expected to maintain the nursing license in good standing throughout the period of enrollment. Students with expired or licenses encumbered, probationary, suspension or surrendered will not allowed to enroll in any courses that require clinical contact with patients.

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Fort Smith, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

ACEN CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

BSN RN to BSN LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
89.6%
RN test takers per year
71
RN rank (2025)
#6
NCLEX-PN pass rate
80.1%
PN test takers (avg)
12
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
PN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

BSN RN to BSN LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
88.4%
RN test takers per year
255
RN rank (2025)
#7
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
University of Arkansas at Little Rock

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Little Rock, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

ACEN North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
88.8%
RN test takers per year
169
RN rank (2025)
#7
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
University of Central Arkansas

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

BSN RN to BSN LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
87.8%
RN test takers per year
117
RN rank (2025)
#7
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend

The University of Central Arkansas's Nursing program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The program offers a range of tracks for students with various needs. The generic traditional track is designed with no licensing in nursing. The school admits one class of students in this track in the fall. Applications are accepted between the 15th and the 1st of March.

The second track is the LPN to BSN track. Applicants are admitted in the fall semester and applications are accepted between the preceding 15th January and the 1st of March.

The RN to BSN or RN to MSN track is offered online for RN graduates of accredited Associate Degrees or hospital diploma programs.   Both tracks are intended for working RNs with all courses offered online. Periodic visits to the Conway campus will be required for each course. Applications to this track are accepted twice a year.

Admission Requirements:

  • Completed application forms
  • Nursing pre-requisite courses
  • Academic transcripts

The school will send letters of admission status will be sent to all applicants by the 1st of June. Applicants on the waiting list will be offered positions declined by a successful applicant.

Applicants are ranked according to GPA and admission examination score with preference given to UCA pre-nursing students meeting admission requirements.

Applicants offered a position must formally acknowledge acceptance and submit documentation of Varicella immunization, TB skin test, Hepatitis B vaccine, CPR certification, current health insurance and attend all day orientation as per the academic calendar.  Students must arrange  independent means of transportation for clinical experiences.

Henderson State University

Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

BSN RN to BSN LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
87.5%
RN test takers per year
28
RN rank (2025)
#8
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
John Brown University

John Brown University

Siloam Springs, AR
Private
4-year

Accreditations

North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
86.3%
RN test takers per year
23
RN rank (2025)
#9
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend

Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University offers BSN programs at 2 campuses in Arkansas.

Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

ACEN COA North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

BSN LPN to BSN RN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
79.4%
RN test takers per year
99
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University

State University, AR
Public
2-year

Programs Offered

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX data not available for this campus.
Ouachita Baptist University

Ouachita Baptist University

Arkadelphia, AR
Private
4-year

Accreditations

North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

RN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
92.0%
RN test takers per year
25
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Pine Bluff, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

BSN RN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
56.8%
RN test takers per year
18
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
University of Arkansas Grantham

University of Arkansas Grantham

LIttle Rock, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

Distance Education Accrediting...

Programs Offered

RN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX data not available for this campus.