AI by state

Best AI Degree Programs in Arkansas: 2026 Rankings

27 AI and machine learning programs at 13 schools in Arkansas.

The strongest AI programs in Arkansas on this list are led by University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, and Harding University. Schools are ordered using our ranking for Arkansas, drawn from 27 programs at 13 schools.

Best AI programs in Arkansas

RankSchoolLocation
1 University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
2 Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR
3 Harding University Searcy, AR
4 University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR
5 John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR
6 Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR
7 Lyon College Batesville, AR
8 University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR
9 University of Arkansas Grantham LIttle Rock, AR
10 Hendrix College Conway, AR
11 Ouachita Baptist University Arkadelphia, AR
12 Philander Smith University Little Rock, AR
13 University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain Mena, AR

School names are plain text in the table. Profiles and write-ups are below when available.

How we ranked this list

We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (30%), student outcomes (25%), curriculum (25%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. About 87% of programs on this list have full scoring data. Read the full ranking methodology.

Top schools in Arkansas

Each school lists a quick overview (program, estimated cost, format) plus a short program summary with links to official school pages and related program paths. Tuition figures are published estimates—confirm current totals on the school’s program page before you apply.

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR

Bachelor's in Computer Science

Overview

  • Availability: On campus
  • Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
  • Credits: Confirm on school site
  • Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery
  • NSA CAE: NSA CAE (CAE-R)

Program summary

Students looking at Fayetteville will find University of Arkansas on this list. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. This is a broader degree, not a standalone AI program.

Related at this school: Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity. Details: school website.

Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR

BS in Digital Technology and Design with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Concentration

Overview

  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
  • Credits: 120
  • Best for: Working adults comparing this online AI/ML path on cost and fit

Program summary

Arkansas State University sits in Jonesboro. AI/ML sits as a concentration or track inside a broader degree—scan required vs elective AI courses so you know how deep the path actually goes. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives.

Home unit: College of Liberal Arts and Communication. Related at this school: BS in Digital Technology and Design — Cloud Compu… · MS in Applied Digital Technology with a Concentra…. Details: program page.

Harding University

Searcy, AR

BS in Artificial Intelligence

Overview

  • Availability: Varies
  • Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
  • Credits: Confirm on school site
  • Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (Harding University)

Program summary

Named as an AI or ML degree—use the course list to separate theory-heavy terms from tool-focused applied semesters.

Home unit: Computer Science Department. Course map: curriculum bulletin.

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Fort Smith, AR

BS in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence/Data Science Concentration

Overview

  • Availability: Varies
  • Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
  • Credits: Confirm on school site
  • Best for: Data professionals adding an AI/ML concentration

Program summary

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith's program is the one profiled here. Expect the parent degree’s core plus an AI-focused set of electives—confirm how many credits must be AI-labeled before you treat it as an AI credential. AI/ML is a concentration on a data science or analytics bachelor's—not a standalone AI degree.

Home unit: Deparatment of Computer Science. Course map: curriculum bulletin.

John Brown University

Siloam Springs, AR

Bachelor's in Artificial Intelligence

Overview

  • Availability: Varies
  • Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
  • Credits: 120
  • Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (John Brown University)

Program summary

John Brown University is based in Siloam Springs. It’s built as a dedicated undergraduate AI major—confirm direct-admit rules and whether students can transfer in after a general first year.

Home unit: Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Related at this school: BS in Cybersecurity · M.S. Cybersecurity. Course map: curriculum bulletin.

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, AR

BS in Computer Science — Artificial Intelligence Track

Overview

  • Availability: Varies
  • Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
  • Credits: 120
  • Best for: CS students specializing in AI/ML within a bachelor's

Program summary

Students looking at Russellville will find Arkansas Tech University on this list. This is a specialization on a larger program, not a standalone AI diploma; the parent major still drives required courses and campus-visit rules.

Home unit: Division of Computing Sciences. Related at this school: Cybersecurity · Bachelor of Science · Cybersecurity · Associate of Applied Science. Course map: curriculum bulletin.

Lyon College

Batesville, AR

Bachelor's in Data Science / Artificial Intelligence

Overview

  • Availability: On campus
  • Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
  • Credits: Confirm on school site
  • Best for: Data professionals adding an AI/ML concentration (Lyon College)

Program summary

Lyon College sits in Batesville. It’s built as a dedicated undergraduate AI major—confirm direct-admit rules and whether students can transfer in after a general first year. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. AI/ML is a concentration on a data science or analytics bachelor's—not a standalone AI degree.

Details: school website.

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, AR

Master's in Computer Science

Overview

  • Availability: On campus
  • Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
  • Credits: Confirm on school site
  • Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (University of Central Arkansas)

Program summary

University of Central Arkansas sits in Conway. Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. This is a broader degree, not a standalone AI program.

Related at this school: BS in Cybersecurity. Details: school website.

University of Arkansas Grantham

LIttle Rock, AR

Bachelor's in Computer Science

Overview

  • Availability: Online
  • Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
  • Credits: Confirm on school site
  • Best for: Working adults comparing this online AI/ML path on cost and fit (University of Arkansas Grantham)
  • Accreditation: ABET

Program summary

Students looking at LIttle Rock will find University of Arkansas Grantham on this list. Delivery is fully online—confirm live vs recorded sessions and any intensives. This is a broader degree, not a standalone AI program.

Related at this school: BS in Cybersecurity. Details: program page.

Hendrix College

Conway, AR

Bachelor's in Computer Science

Overview

  • Availability: On campus
  • Estimated tuition total: Confirm on school site
  • Credits: Confirm on school site
  • Best for: Students comparing this specialty on cost and delivery (Hendrix College)

Program summary

Most of the work is on campus—labs and cohort access are part of the draw. This is a broader degree, not a standalone AI program.

Details: school website.

Related rankings and guides

FAQ: AI degrees in Arkansas

What are the best AI programs in Arkansas?

On this state ranking, University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, and Harding University appear near the top. We list 13 schools offering AI programs in Arkansas. Confirm format and admissions on each school site.

How many AI programs are in Arkansas?

About 27 AI programs at 13 schools show up for Arkansas on this list. Confirm current offerings on each school site.

Online or campus?

Both can appear on state lists. Check each program’s delivery format and any required campus visits.

How does AIDegrees rank these programs?

We order schools on this page using our ranking method, with more weight on affordability (30%), student outcomes (25%), curriculum (25%). Figures draw from published school tuition and U.S. Department of Education outcomes data when available. Schools cannot pay for a higher rank. About 87% of programs on this list have full scoring data. See the full ranking methodology for weights and data sources.

State list or overall ranking?

Use both—state lists help with in-state tuition and local networks; overall lists compare research strength and online options.

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