General Studies Associate Degrees in Arkansas

Best General Studies Associate Degrees in Arkansas, Ranked (2026)

The 25 general studies associate degrees in Arkansas that meet the ranking threshold, scored on graduation rate, resident tuition and fees, and degrees awarded, the same figures as the national associate degree ranking, plus the 4 other programs in the state.

Source: IPEDS, as of September 29, 2026. Cost is resident tuition plus required fees, 2023-24.

Associate Degrees in Arkansas

29

Meet the Ranking Threshold

25

Median Resident Tuition and Fees

$4,830

With a Fully Online Option

14

General Studies Associate Degrees in Arkansas

General studies associate degrees in Arkansas are the most crowded level in the state: 25 programs meet the ranking threshold and 4 more sit below it. Twenty-three of the ranked programs are public, split between community and technical colleges and 7 universities that award the two-year degree alongside their bachelor's, including Arkansas Tech University and Arkansas State University. Ecclesia College in Springdale and Shorter College in North Little Rock are the two private programs ranked.

Arkansas State University-Beebe tops the list at 80.3, 9th on the national associate ranking, on $3,216 in resident tuition and fees, 347 graduates and a fully online option, with a 42% graduation rate. Black River Technical College in Pocahontas follows at 79.1 with a stronger 55% graduation rate on 145 graduates at $4,584. Arkansas Tech University awarded 1,390 general studies associate degrees in the latest year, the most in the state, and scores 70 on a 49% graduation rate at $8,508.

Graduation rates run from 13% at Shorter College to 66% at the University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville, a program of 10 graduates, with Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden at 62%. Fourteen of the 29 programs list a fully online option. Below the threshold sit Central Baptist College, Crowley's Ridge College, University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana and Arkansas State University Three Rivers, with 1 to 9 graduates each.

The 25 Best General Studies Associate Degrees in Arkansas

The best general studies associate degrees in Arkansas are ranked below by their national score, from the national associate degree ranking. The number on each card is the program's place in Arkansas. Each needed at least 10 graduates in the latest year to be ranked.

  1. 1

    Arkansas State University-Beebe

    Associate of General Studies

    Arkansas

    • Public
    • Fully Online Option
    College graduation rate
    42%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $3,216 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    347
    • College graduation rate percentile 70 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 91 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 86 / 100

    About the Program

    Work is the reason this degree exists. The Associate of General Studies is designed for people who are working and need a degree plus specific skills for their current job or a job upgrade. You work closely with an advisor to choose the right electives for the degree. If your plan is a bachelor's, take note: many courses transfer, but the degree isn't particularly designed for transfer to a four-year institution.

    Finishing takes a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better and a minimum of 15 hours completed at ASU-Beebe, which means you can't assemble the whole degree from credits earned elsewhere. Plan on at least 15 of your hours being completed here. Your advisor is the person to sort this out with, since the college tells you to work closely with them on which electives belong in the degree.

  2. 2

    Black River Technical College

    Associate of General Studies

    Arkansas

    • Public
    • Fully Online Option
    College graduation rate
    55%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $4,584 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    145
    • College graduation rate percentile 90 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 71 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 69 / 100

    About the Program

    Building the Associate of General Studies starts with a choice, because the college says the degree may be used as a basis for general studies courses, technical electives, or both. That means academic and technical courses can sit inside the same degree. The college also describes it as less scheduled than the Associate of Applied Science degrees, so the comparison to make is with the applied science degrees at the same college, where more of the plan is set for you.

    Where you take the Associate of General Studies next is left to you, because the college presents the degree for a student who wants direct employment or transfer for a baccalaureate degree. The college says both the Associate of Arts and the Associate of General Studies transfer to all Arkansas public 4-year universities. That statement is about the degree as a whole, so ask the university you have in mind how each course applies to the bachelor's degree you want.

  3. 3

    Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas

    Associate of General Studies

    Arkansas

    • Public
    College graduation rate
    54%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $4,416 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    80
    • College graduation rate percentile 89 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 74 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 51 / 100

    About the Program

    Electives fill 31 of the credit hours in the Associate of General Studies, beside 29 credit hours of general education, so a large part of the degree is yours to direct. You can structure it to closely resemble an Associate of Arts degree for transferability, point it toward a business or technical career focus, or build it around your own educational objectives.

    Whether your credits transfer depends on which credits you mean. The general education coursework is largely expected to transfer to four-year institutions, but the transferability of the elective credit hours depends on the requirements of the receiving institution. So choose electives with a destination in mind. The college describes the degree as often a good choice for students planning to transfer to out-of-state colleges or universities.

    A transfer agreement maps the Associate of General Studies to a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership, so the degree has a named bachelor's degree on the far side of it. The Associate of General Studies is aimed at people who already hold college credits and want to complete an associate degree, as well as students beginning their college education.

  4. 4

    University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton

    Associate of General Studies

    Arkansas

    • Public
    College graduation rate
    42%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $3,744 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    146
    • College graduation rate percentile 70 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 86 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 69 / 100

    About the Program

    Forty-five of the hours in this degree are electives, approved by your advisor or based on your specific area of study. The college intends the Associate of General Studies for students whose needs cannot be met by the rest of its programs. Introduction to Computers, CPSI 10003, is a required course at 3 credit hours, while the degree as a whole can be finished in as few as 60 semester hours.

    Your advisor helps you select classes for a focus area, and the college publishes recommended courses for a health-related focus. But the focus stays between you and your advisor on paper, because the listing of Associate of General Studies is what appears on the transcript and diploma. So the focus area itself won't be named there, and the courses on your transcript are what show it.

    Credit from elsewhere can come in. UACCM transfers military credit based on the Joint-Services Transcript it receives from you, and two courses with D grades may be accepted as transfer credit, so a weak grade at a previous college doesn't always have to be repeated. If you plan to leave before finishing, the college has a Certificate of General Studies designed for students taking general education courses who'll transfer before completing an associate or bachelor's degree.

    Bachelor's programs, direct employment and educational enrichment are the three things the college says the degree provides a foundation for. For the first of those, transferring to four-year universities runs through the Arkansas Course Transfer System, which the college says simplifies the move.

  5. 5

    Arkansas Northeastern College

    Arkansas

    • Public
    • Fully Online Option
    College graduation rate
    49%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $2,850 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    43
    • College graduation rate percentile 83 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 93 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 34 / 100

    About the Program

    Arkansas Northeastern College is a public community college in Blytheville, Arkansas that enrolls 1,461 students. During the most recent year on record it awarded 43 associate's degrees, a count at the 34th percentile for size. Of the students who start at Arkansas Northeastern College, 49% graduate, and that beats 83 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Tuition and fees run $2,850 a year in state against $4,250 out of state, so on price it sits at the 93rd percentile. Nothing in the degree requires attending in person, since it is offered fully online. What lifts it most is price, where it reaches the 93rd percentile.

  6. 6

    University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain

    Arkansas

    • Public
    College graduation rate
    55%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $3,864 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    32
    • College graduation rate percentile 90 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 85 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 28 / 100

    About the Program

    Mena, Arkansas is home to University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain, a public community college of 786 students. It conferred 32 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 28% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Of the students who start at University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain, 55% graduate, and that beats 90 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Tuition and fees run $3,864 a year in state against $4,104 out of state, so on price it sits at the 85th percentile. On the graduation rate of its college it does best, reaching the 90th percentile.

  7. 7

    North Arkansas College

    Arkansas

    • Public
    College graduation rate
    42%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $3,816 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    94
    • College graduation rate percentile 70 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 86 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 56 / 100

    About the Program

    North Arkansas College is a public community college in Harrison, Arkansas that enrolls 2,089 students. The program's last federal report shows 94 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 56 in every 100 programs measured here. A 42% graduation rate puts the college at the 70th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Residents pay $3,816 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $5,544. What lifts it most is price, where it reaches the 86th percentile.

  8. 8

    Arkansas State University-Mountain Home

    Arkansas

    • Public
    College graduation rate
    44%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $3,168 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    45
    • College graduation rate percentile 76 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 91 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 36 / 100

    About the Program

    Arkansas State University-Mountain Home is a public community college in Mountain Home, Arkansas that enrolls 1,315 students. During the most recent year on record it awarded 45 associate's degrees, a count at the 36th percentile for size. Of the students who start at Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, 44% graduate, and that beats 76 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Residents pay $3,168 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $4,632. Its strongest mark is price, at the 91st percentile.

  9. 9

    Arkansas Tech University

    Arkansas

    • Public
    College graduation rate
    49%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $8,508 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    1,390
    • College graduation rate percentile 83 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 27 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 98 / 100

    About the Program

    Some 8,746 students attend Arkansas Tech University, a public university in Russellville, Arkansas. It conferred 1,390 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 98% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Its college-wide graduation rate is 49%, the 83rd percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Residents pay $8,508 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $14,502. Getting in is rarely the obstacle, with 96% of applicants admitted. On the number of degrees it awards it does best, reaching the 98th percentile.

  10. 10

    East Arkansas Community College

    Arkansas

    • Public
    • Fully Online Option
    College graduation rate
    51%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $4,128 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    33
    • College graduation rate percentile 86 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 79 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 28 / 100

    About the Program

    Based in Forrest City, Arkansas, East Arkansas Community College is a public community college with 1,401 students on its rolls. Some 33 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 28% of the programs ranked alongside it. A 51% graduation rate puts the college at the 86th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Residents pay $4,128 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $4,920. Nothing in the degree requires attending in person, since it is offered fully online. On the graduation rate of its college it does best, reaching the 86th percentile.

  11. 11

    University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville

    Arkansas

    • Public
    • Fully Online Option
    College graduation rate
    66%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $3,918 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    10
    • College graduation rate percentile 98 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 83 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 2 / 100

    About the Program

    Based in Batesville, Arkansas, University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville is a public community college with 1,192 students on its rolls. It conferred 10 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 2% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Its college-wide graduation rate is 66%, the 98th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Tuition and fees run $3,918 a year in state against $4,542 out of state, so on price it sits at the 83rd percentile. Because the full degree is offered online, it is open to students well outside the region. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 98th percentile.

  12. 12

    Southern Arkansas University Tech

    Arkansas

    • Public
    College graduation rate
    62%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $4,830 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    17
    • College graduation rate percentile 97 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 66 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 12 / 100

    About the Program

    Camden, Arkansas is home to Southern Arkansas University Tech, a public community college of 991 students. During the most recent year on record it awarded 17 associate's degrees, a count at the 12th percentile for size. A 62% graduation rate puts the college at the 97th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees are $4,830 a year for residents and $6,210 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 66% of programs at this level. Its strongest mark is the graduation rate of its college, at the 97th percentile.

  13. 13

    Southern Arkansas University

    Arkansas

    • Public
    College graduation rate
    49%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $9,820 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    193
    • College graduation rate percentile 83 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 19 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 75 / 100

    About the Program

    Some 4,732 students attend Southern Arkansas University, a public university in Magnolia, Arkansas. It conferred 193 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 75% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Of the students who start at Southern Arkansas University, 49% graduate, and that beats 83 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Residents pay $9,820 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $15,400. Applicants are admitted at a rate of 75%, which leaves room for a rejection. On the graduation rate of its college it does best, reaching the 83rd percentile.

  14. 14

    Arkansas State University

    Arkansas

    • Public
    • Fully Online Option
    College graduation rate
    55%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $7,754 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    37
    • College graduation rate percentile 90 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 32 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 30 / 100

    About the Program

    Some 15,726 students attend Arkansas State University, a public university in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The program's last federal report shows 37 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 30 in every 100 programs measured here. Its college-wide graduation rate is 55%, the 90th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Tuition and fees are $7,754 a year for residents and $13,826 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 32% of programs at this level. Distance students can complete the whole degree online, so where you live matters less here. About 82% of applicants are admitted, so an application is not a formality. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 90th percentile.

  15. 15

    University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

    Arkansas

    • Public
    College graduation rate
    38%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $6,906 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    270
    • College graduation rate percentile 59 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 36 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 81 / 100

    About the Program

    Based in Fort Smith, Arkansas, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith is a public university with 5,496 students on its rolls. It conferred 270 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 81% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Its college-wide graduation rate is 38%, the 59th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Tuition and fees are $6,906 a year for residents and $13,770 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 36% of programs at this level. Admission is selective enough to plan for, with 80% of applicants accepted. Strongest of its measures is the number of degrees it awards, which lands at the 81st percentile.

  16. 16

    NorthWest Arkansas Community College

    Arkansas

    • Public
    • Fully Online Option
    College graduation rate
    31%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $4,566 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    207
    • College graduation rate percentile 37 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 72 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 76 / 100

    About the Program

    Some 8,412 students attend NorthWest Arkansas Community College, a public community college in Bentonville, Arkansas. The program's last federal report shows 207 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 76 in every 100 programs measured here. Across the whole college, 31% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 37% of the institutions behind this list. Tuition and fees run $4,566 a year in state against $5,022 out of state, so on price it sits at the 72nd percentile. Nothing in the degree requires attending in person, since it is offered fully online. What lifts it most is the number of degrees it awards, where it reaches the 76th percentile.

  17. 17

    University of Arkansas at Monticello

    Arkansas

    • Public
    • Fully Online Option
    College graduation rate
    49%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $8,868 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    75
    • College graduation rate percentile 83 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 24 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 49 / 100

    About the Program

    Based in Monticello, Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Monticello is a public university with 2,856 students on its rolls. The program's last federal report shows 75 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 49 in every 100 programs measured here. Across the whole college, 49% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 83% of the institutions behind this list. Residents pay $8,868 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $14,718. Distance students can complete the whole degree online, so where you live matters less here. On the graduation rate of its college it does best, reaching the 83rd percentile.

  18. 18

    University of Arkansas at Little Rock

    Arkansas

    • Public
    • Fully Online Option
    College graduation rate
    42%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $9,617 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    110
    • College graduation rate percentile 70 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 20 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 62 / 100

    About the Program

    Some 8,216 students attend University of Arkansas at Little Rock, a public university in Little Rock, Arkansas. It conferred 110 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 62% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. A 42% graduation rate puts the college at the 70th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Expect tuition and fees of $9,617 a year as a resident and $22,067 otherwise. The degree can be finished entirely online, which suits anyone who cannot move or stop working. Applicants are admitted at a rate of 59%, which leaves room for a rejection. Its strongest mark is the graduation rate of its college, at the 70th percentile.

  19. 19

    University of Central Arkansas

    Arkansas

    • Public
    College graduation rate
    54%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $10,118 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    28
    • College graduation rate percentile 89 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 17 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 24 / 100

    About the Program

    Conway, Arkansas is home to University of Central Arkansas, a public university of 10,112 students. Some 28 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 24% of the programs ranked alongside it. Across the whole college, 54% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 89% of the institutions behind this list. Tuition and fees run $10,118 a year in state against $17,258 out of state, so on price it sits at the 17th percentile. About 89% of applicants are admitted, so an application is not a formality. Strongest of its measures is the graduation rate of its college, which lands at the 89th percentile.

  20. 20

    South Arkansas College

    Arkansas

    • Public
    • Fully Online Option
    College graduation rate
    30%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $3,540 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    34
    • College graduation rate percentile 33 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 87 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 29 / 100

    About the Program

    Some 1,207 students attend South Arkansas College, a public community college in El Dorado, Arkansas. During the most recent year on record it awarded 34 associate's degrees, a count at the 29th percentile for size. Across the whole college, 30% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 33% of the institutions behind this list. Residents pay $3,540 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $5,364. Because the full degree is offered online, it is open to students well outside the region. Its strongest mark is price, at the 87th percentile.

  21. 21

    National Park College

    Arkansas

    • Public
    • Fully Online Option
    College graduation rate
    35%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $6,050 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    30
    • College graduation rate percentile 51 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 46 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 26 / 100

    About the Program

    Some 1,805 students attend National Park College, a public community college in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It conferred 30 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 26% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Its college-wide graduation rate is 35%, the 51st percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Expect tuition and fees of $6,050 a year as a resident and $7,280 otherwise. Because the full degree is offered online, it is open to students well outside the region. What lifts it most is the graduation rate of its college, where it reaches the 51st percentile.

  22. 22

    University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College

    Arkansas

    • Public
    • Fully Online Option
    College graduation rate
    36%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $6,060 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    24
    • College graduation rate percentile 53 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 46 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 20 / 100

    About the Program

    North Little Rock, Arkansas is home to University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College, a public community college of 4,478 students. Some 24 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 20% of the programs ranked alongside it. Of the students who start at University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College, 36% graduate, and that beats 53 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Expect tuition and fees of $6,060 a year as a resident and $9,060 otherwise. Because the full degree is offered online, it is open to students well outside the region. On the graduation rate of its college it does best, reaching the 53rd percentile.

  23. 23

    Southeast Arkansas College

    Arkansas

    • Public
    College graduation rate
    28%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $4,960 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    52
    • College graduation rate percentile 26 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 62 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 40 / 100

    About the Program

    Some 916 students attend Southeast Arkansas College, a public community college in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. During the most recent year on record it awarded 52 associate's degrees, a count at the 40th percentile for size. Its college-wide graduation rate is 28%, the 26th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Tuition and fees run $4,960 a year in state against $8,260 out of state, so on price it sits at the 62nd percentile. On price it does best, reaching the 62nd percentile.

  24. 24

    Ecclesia College

    Arkansas

    • Private nonprofit
    • Fully Online Option
    College graduation rate
    40%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $16,850 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    17
    • College graduation rate percentile 65 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 8 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 12 / 100

    About the Program

    Based in Springdale, Arkansas, Ecclesia College is a private nonprofit college with 111 students on its rolls. Some 17 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 12% of the programs ranked alongside it. Across the whole college, 40% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 65% of the institutions behind this list. Every student pays $16,850 a year in tuition and fees, since the institution sets one rate. Because the full degree is offered online, it is open to students well outside the region. Applicants are admitted at a rate of 74%, which leaves room for a rejection. Its strongest mark is the graduation rate of its college, at the 65th percentile.

  25. 25

    Shorter College

    Arkansas

    • Private nonprofit
    • HBCU
    College graduation rate
    13%
    In-state tuition and fees
    $6,245 a year
    Degrees awarded, latest year
    10
    • College graduation rate percentile 2 / 100
    • In-state tuition and fees percentile 45 / 100
    • Degrees awarded, latest year percentile 2 / 100

    About the Program

    Some 287 students attend Shorter College, a historically Black private nonprofit two-year college in N Little Rock, Arkansas. During the most recent year on record it awarded 10 associate's degrees, a count at the 2nd percentile for size. Its college-wide graduation rate is 13%, the 2nd percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Residents and nonresidents are both charged $6,245 a year in tuition and fees. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 45th percentile.

Other General Studies Associate Degrees in Arkansas

The other general studies associate degrees in Arkansas awarded fewer than 10 degrees in the latest year or did not report a figure the ranking uses, so they are listed here without a score. That says something about size and nothing on its own about quality.

Other general studies associate degrees in Arkansas, by degrees awarded in the latest year
CollegeDegrees AwardedGraduation RateTuition and Fees
Central Baptist College, Conway 9 34% $19,680
Crowley's Ridge College, Paragould 6 36% $16,440
University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana, Hope 2 57% $3,880
Arkansas State University Three Rivers, Malvern 1 26% $3,568

Source: IPEDS, as of September 29, 2026. Graduation rate is the college's, for first-time, full-time students.

How Much Does a General Studies Associate Degree Cost in Arkansas?

A general studies associate degree in Arkansas costs a median of $4,830 a year in resident tuition and required fees for 2023-24, and 16 of the 29 programs charge under $5,000. The public two-year colleges run from $2,850 at Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville to $6,060 at the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock. The universities charge university prices for the same two-year degree: $6,906 at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, $8,508 at Arkansas Tech and $10,118 at the University of Central Arkansas. Shorter College charges $6,245, and the other three private colleges sit far above everything public, from $16,440 at Crowley's Ridge College to $19,680 at Central Baptist College.

If you're an adult coming back with some credits and no degree, the Non-Traditional category of the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship was written for you. With prior credit you qualify on a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.5, and you can keep it while enrolled part-time, meaning 6 to 14 credit hours, each fall and spring semester. At a two-year college it pays $2,000 in year one and $3,000 in year two under the schedule that began in 2025-26.

Resident tuition and fees for general studies associate degrees in Arkansas, lowest first
College Tuition and fees Graduation rate
Arkansas Northeastern College $2,850 49%
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home $3,168 44%
Arkansas State University-Beebe $3,216 42%
South Arkansas College $3,540 30%
Arkansas State University Three Rivers $3,568 26%
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton $3,744 42%
North Arkansas College $3,816 42%
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain $3,864 55%
University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana $3,880 57%
University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville $3,918 66%
East Arkansas Community College $4,128 51%
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas $4,416 54%
NorthWest Arkansas Community College $4,566 31%
Black River Technical College $4,584 55%
Southern Arkansas University Tech $4,830 62%
Southeast Arkansas College $4,960 28%
National Park College $6,050 35%
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College $6,060 36%
Shorter College $6,245 13%
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith $6,906 38%
Arkansas State University $7,754 55%
Arkansas Tech University $8,508 49%
University of Arkansas at Monticello $8,868 49%
University of Arkansas at Little Rock $9,617 42%
Southern Arkansas University $9,820 49%
University of Central Arkansas $10,118 54%
Crowley's Ridge College $16,440 36%
Ecclesia College $16,850 40%
Central Baptist College $19,680 34%
Source: IPEDS published tuition and required fees, 2023-24. As of September 29, 2026.

Will a General Studies Associate Degree Transfer in Arkansas?

Yes, a general studies associate degree from an Arkansas public college transfers to any public university in the state, as long as it carries the 35-credit State Minimum General Education Core that Arkansas requires in every transferable associate degree. Each public institution has to accept and apply the general education core you bring from another Arkansas public institution toward any undergraduate degree. Inside the 35 hours sits a 15-credit Requisite Core, created by Act 566 of 2025, covering communication, quantitative reasoning and American civic traditions.

Courses above the core move under the Arkansas Course Transfer System, or ACTS, which guarantees the transfer of applicable credits at the state's public colleges and universities. If the ACTS report lists your course, it's guaranteed to transfer when the receiving university has a comparable course, and where the report says No Comparable Course, the guarantee ends. ACTS has been in place since Act 672 of 2005, effective December 1, 2006.

So the practical question for a two-year general studies student is whether the degree you're earning at Black River, Cossatot or any of the other colleges is built as a transferable associate degree with the full 35-hour core. The guarantee binds public institutions only. If you're at Ecclesia, Shorter, Central Baptist or Crowley's Ridge, ask the university you want for its own written transfer policy before your second year.

What Do Jobs With a General Studies Associate Degree Pay in Arkansas?

Jobs open to a general studies associate degree in Arkansas pay the state medians below, from the May 2025 federal wage survey, with the national median beside each for comparison. Each row links to the salary guide for that job.

Median annual pay in Arkansas for jobs open to a general studies degree
Job Arkansas median U.S. median
Administrative Services Manager $84,480 $114,130
Management Analyst $72,950 $101,860
Market Research Analyst $65,430 $78,760
Public Relations Specialist $65,000 $74,750
Social and Community Service Manager $56,100 $80,390
Human Resources Specialist $55,010 $75,940
Meeting and Event Planner $53,040 $61,160
Training and Development Specialist $52,290 $69,280
Fundraiser $50,190 $72,550
Paralegal $47,420 $62,890
Social and Human Service Assistant $36,770 $45,930
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates.

How to Choose a General Studies Associate Degree Program in Arkansas

To choose a general studies associate degree program in Arkansas, weigh completion against size and price, because the three don't line up. The University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville graduates 66% at $3,918 in tuition and fees but awarded 10 degrees, while NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville awarded 207 and graduates 31% at $4,566. The universities charge more for the same two-year degree, from $6,906 at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith to $10,118 at the University of Central Arkansas, and graduate between 38% and 55%. Thirteen ranked programs run fully online, including Black River Technical College, Arkansas State University-Beebe, Arkansas Northeastern College and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

If you plan to continue to a bachelor's, check that the degree includes the 35-credit State Minimum General Education Core that Arkansas requires in every transferable associate degree, and ask which of its remaining courses have comparable courses at the university you want. Ask too how many of last year's graduates went on to a bachelor's program, and whether the college will certify your part-time enrollment for the Academic Challenge Scholarship.

If you plan to finish a bachelor's in the state, the general studies bachelor's degrees in Arkansas have their own page.

Common Questions About General Studies Associate Degrees in Arkansas

What Is the Cheapest Ranked General Studies Associate Degree in Arkansas?

Which General Studies Associate Degree in Arkansas Has the Highest Graduation Rate?

Can You Finish a General Studies Associate Degree Online in Arkansas?

How Much General Education Does an Arkansas General Studies Associate Degree Need to Transfer?

Does the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship Pay for a General Studies Associate Degree?

Where Do the Figures on This Arkansas Page Come From?