6 Best MSN Programs in Arkansas – 2026

Written By: Darby Faubion RN, BSN, MBA

Qualifications are crucial in the field of nursing. If you want Arkansas healthcare employers to move your resume to the top of the pile, you should consider earning a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree. With an MSN, you can pursue your passion for clinical advanced practice, executive leadership, nursing education, and many more specialties. And it pays to get an MSN—literally! Graduates of MSN programs in Arkansas make $110,520 per year on average, plus their employment opportunities will jump by 61 percent over the next decade. Learn more about how an MSN can turbo-charge your nursing future with this list of the 6 best MSN programs in Arkansas.

WHAT ARE THE BEST MSN PROGRAMS IN ARKANSAS (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2026?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, listed below are the 6 Best Master of Science in Nursing Programs in Arkansas (Online & Campus) for 2026.

1. Arkansas State University - Jonesboro

Programs Offered: MSN

MSN Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Administrator, Nurse Educator, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

MSN Program Details: The MSN program at Arkansas State University offers five specialty concentrations, including three nurse practitioner specialties, a Nurse Educator specialty, and a Nurse Administrator specialty. The program offers online coursework and clinicals conveniently located in your home region. The program offers several start dates throughout the year, making it easy to begin pursuing your degree when you feel the time is right. You can earn the MSN degree in 12 to 26 months, depending on which specialty you choose to pursue.

The Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner pathways each require 41.5 credits. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is a 47.5-credit pathway. All nurse practitioner specialties include a minimum of 750 clinical hours. The Nurse Educator and Nurse Administrator options require the completion of 32 and 34 credits, respectively. Each of these options includes 180 clinical hours.

MSN Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the MSN program at Arkansas State University, you must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an ACEN-, CCNE,- or CCNEA-accredited nursing program and a regionally accredited college or university, hold a current, unencumbered RN license, and have documentation of 1,500 practice hours as a Registered Nurse prior to admission. Candidates for the Nurse Administrator and Nurse Educator programs must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants seeking admission to one of the nurse practitioner pathways must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher. Official transcripts from all post-secondary schools should be sent directly to the school for evaluation.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• The MSN program at Arkansas State University is highly ranked among online graduate nursing programs. The most authoritative ranking comes from U.S. News & World Report, which ranks the program among the Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs nationwide.
• Graduates of the MSN program at Arkansas State University are qualified to take certification exams relevant to their chosen concentration administered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The school reports outstanding success rates among graduates who take the test, with nearly 100% passing on the first attempt.

2. University of Arkansas - Fayetteville

Programs Offered: MSN

MSN Specialties Offered: Nurse Educator

MSN Program Details: If you are interested in shaping the future of nursing, one way to have the greatest impact is by becoming a Nurse Educator. The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas offers one of the best MSN programs in Arkansas, with the option to specialize as a Nurse Educator. The program admits new cohorts each summer semester. You can complete the MSN program in as few as four semesters when enrolled as a full-time student. If you prefer a slower pace, a part-time study option is also available.

Courses are offered in an asynchronous distance education format. In this program, you are required to complete a minimum of 31 credit hours. The curriculum features courses such as Instructional Design & Delivery in Nursing Education, Methods of Assessment & Evaluation in Nursing Education, Application of Health Informatics, and Curriculum Design & Development in Nursing Education.

The program includes 500 precepted clinical hours, which are coordinated by program faculty. Clinical hours may include activities such as teaching and educational practice, assessment and evaluation of learners, collaboration with faculty mentors, professional development activities, and completion of structured teaching projects. All students complete either an MSN Scholarly Project or a Thesis.

MSN Admission Requirements: To be an eligible candidate for the MSN program, you must have completed a baccalaureate degree in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program and hold a current, unrestricted license to practice as a Registered Nurse. All applicants must submit one letter of recommendation, evidence of basic computer and library database skills, and official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended. Transcripts must reflect a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher on the last 60 undergraduate credits of attempted nursing coursework and show completion of a basic statistics course and a basic health assessment course with a grade of “C” or higher in each. In some cases, candidates with a GPA less than 3.0 will be offered conditional admission. This admission requires approval from the MSN Program Coordinator.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• The Master of Science in Nursing program at the University of Arkansas is dedicated entirely to developing qualified nurse educators. The program will prepare you to design cutting-edge curriculum plans, apply teaching strategies based on current research and data, and mentor future generations of nurses. No wonder it is ranked among the top MSN programs in Arkansas!
• The University of Arkansas offers several types of financial support for master’s nursing students. Financial aid advisors are available to help guide you in determining what types of aid, which may include scholarships, graduate assistantships, or loans, may be available. The Nursing Faculty Loan Program is also available to support MSN students.
• Having spent my whole life living in rural areas, I understand how difficult it is for individuals in these areas to obtain quality healthcare services. One of the things I find appealing about the MSN program at the University of Arkansas is that faculty members have created a curriculum designed to prepare nurse practitioners with the skills needed to provide cost-effective, high-quality care to underserved populations.

3. University of Central Arkansas - Conway

Programs Offered: MSN

MSN Specialties Offered: Nurse Educator and Family Nurse Practitioner

MSN Program Details: Another school that offers an excellent MSN program in Arkansas is the University of Central Arkansas. The MSN program is designed to build upon your previous baccalaureate preparation by advancing your leadership capabilities, clinical reasoning, and specialized expertise. The program offers two specialty tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator. Admission occurs in the fall each year.

The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program features primarily online courses, with minimal campus-based classes for the Advanced Health Assessment and clinical courses. This path requires 46 credit hours. The Nurse Educator pathway is 100% online and features a 39-credit-hour curriculum plan.

Students in both pathways take MSN core courses, including Evidence-Based Practice & Quality Improvement, Population Health for Advanced Nursing Practice, and Leadership for Advanced Practice Nursing. After completing the MSN core courses, you will complete track courses relevant to your chosen specialty. Depending on your concentration, you may take classes such as Advanced Diagnostics & Clinical Reasoning, Primary Care of Adults, Curriculum in Nursing & Health Professions, or Instructional Design & Teaching Strategies.

MSN Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission to the MSN program at the University of Central Arkansas, you must have a baccalaureate degree with an upper-division in nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program and hold a current, unencumbered United States RN license in Arkansas or a state where clinical experiences will take place. You are required to provide a resume, a cover letter, and transcripts from all colleges or universities you previously attended. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale overall or at least 3.0 on the last 60 hours of earned credit is required. Applications are evaluated using a weighted system with the following percentages applied to each admission criterion: Cover Letter 25%, Interview 25%, GPA 50%.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• The University of Central Arkansas has a proven record of preparing advanced practice nurses for success. For example, graduates of both the Nurse Educator and Family Nurse Practitioner pathways have excellent first-time pass rates on national certification exams.
• The University of Central Arkansas’s MSN program reports high student satisfaction ratings, which is an important factor to consider when choosing a school. According to post-graduation surveys, respondents reported the highest satisfaction in categories such as faculty expertise, clinical opportunities, and preparation for board certification.
• At the University of Central Arkansas, you will achieve excellence in nursing education by learning from dedicated faculty whose ongoing commitment to teaching, learning, scholarship, student success, and service to the community is unwavering.

4. Harding University - Searcy

Programs Offered: MSN

MSN Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner

MSN Program Details: Harding University offers an MSN program in Arkansas, with the option to specialize in Family Nurse Practitioner. The program features a hybrid learning format comprised of weekly online lectures and learning assignments, which are complemented by three campus-based intensives. The average time to complete the Master of Science in Nursing FNP program is two years or five semesters, if you enroll full-time. Part-time students typically complete the program in eight semesters.

The 45-credit curriculum includes classes such as Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics in Practice, Reproductive Health & Family Theory, Child/Adolescent Health & Family Theory, Adult/Elder Health & Family Theory, and Family Health & Theory. 750 clinical hours are spread across four clinical courses. Clinicals are arranged collaboratively with faculty and occur in various clinical sites, including physicians’ offices, hospitals,

MSN Admission Requirements: Candidates for the MSN program must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing and an unencumbered, valid Arkansas or Compact State RN license to be considered eligible. You must submit an online application, a copy of your current American Heart Association CPR BLS for health providers, a Goals Statement, and three professional references. Additionally, you are required to provide official transcripts from all post-secondary schools you attended. Candidates with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 are preferred. However, conditional acceptance may be offered to individuals whose cumulative GPA is less than 3.0, as calculated on the last 60 credit hours. Completion of undergraduate health assessment, nursing research, and basic inferential statistics courses with a grade of “C” or higher is required. The final step in the application process is to participate in an admission interview with program faculty.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• For years, Harding University has been the go-to source for nurses seeking a quality education steeped in Christian values. The mission of the College of Nursing and MSN program is “to provide education that will lead to an understanding and philosophy of life consistent with Christian ideals.”
• Harding University has a solid history of educating advanced practice nurses to provide a holistic approach to patient care.
• At Harding University, forging close faculty/student relationships is a priority. MSN program faculty are dedicated to working with students individually to help them achieve their goals and succeed as Family Nurse Practitioners upon program completion.

5. Arkansas Tech University - Russellville

Programs Offered: MSN

MSN Specialties Offered: Nursing Administration and Emergency Management

MSN Program Details: At Arkansas Tech University, you will find another one of the best MSN programs in Arkansas. Admission to the program occurs twice each year in the fall and spring semesters. While most coursework is delivered online, some courses require one or two campus visits to complete workshops, simulations, and leadership or administrative practicums.

This MSN program is designed to offer a plan of study to prepare professional nurses who are actively engaged in, or planning to enter, professions related to emergency management administration across diverse types of healthcare settings. The program features a curriculum grounded in an interdisciplinary approach that integrates principles of nursing administration with those of emergency management.

The curriculum includes 24 credits of core coursework, including classes such as Healthcare Administrator Roles, Principles of Hazards & Emergency Management, Current Trends in Healthcare, and Legal & Ethical Concerns. An additional 9 credits will be completed in either the emergency management or nursing administration specialization, bringing the total required for the MSN degree to 33.

MSN Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission to the MSN program at Arkansas Tech University, you must hold either a bachelor’s degree in nursing or an associate degree in nursing and a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field and have an unencumbered U.S. license to practice as a Registered Nurse. Candidates whose bachelor’s degree is in a field other than nursing must complete the prerequisite courses: Scope of Professional Practice, Population & Community Health Nursing, and Leadership & Management in Professional Practice.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• At Arkansas Tech University, the MSN Program Director will serve as your personal advisor. The Director will design a plan of study that leads to the successful completion of degree requirements. The Director promotes collaboration between faculty and students to ensure that all program goals are met and that student success is prioritized.
• Choosing to pursue your MSN at Arkansas Tech University is an excellent way to position yourself for career advancement. Graduates of the program have excellent job placement rates, with many finding jobs in community, government, and military agencies, hospitals, and other healthcare systems.
• Arkansas Tech University is known for preparing students to become innovative leaders in healthcare. As a student in this MSN program in Arkansas, you will have opportunities to develop solutions to crucial issues in nursing and patient care through the analysis, evaluation, and application of evidence-based research.

6. Henderson State University - Arkadelphia

Programs Offered: MSN

MSN Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Executive Leadership & Administration

MSN Program Details: Henderson State University’s Master of Science in Nursing program is designed for baccalaureate-prepared RNs seeking preparation at the graduate level and who wish to specialize in Nursing Executive Leadership & Administration or Family Nurse Practitioner. The program offers flexibility for working professionals through convenient online coursework. Family Nurse Practitioner students are required to attend one two-day face-to-face session during the first semester. Nursing Executive Leadership & Administration students have no required campus visits.

MSN Admission Requirements: Prospective students desiring admission to the MSN program must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited nursing program and possess a valid, unrestricted RN license. You must complete applications for both the Henderson State University Graduate Studies department and the HSU Department of Nursing/Graduate Nursing Program. Additionally, you are required to submit official transcripts reflecting a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, a resume or CV, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation. FNP candidates must submit the Work Verification Form and have at least 2,000 hours of RN work experience.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students

• Graduates of the FNP program at Henderson State University have excellent first-time pass rates on national certification exams. This level of success among graduates is a good indicator of the program’s quality.
• The MSN program at Henderson State University is led by faculty with decades of combined experience. Each faculty member brings unique experience and personal insight into the program, enhancing the student experience and overall student success.
• Graduates of the MSN program at Henderson State University are sought after by employers, as the program has an excellent reputation for preparing advanced practice nurses who demonstrate expertise in healthcare leadership, research, and clinical practice.


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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED

1. Who Accredits MSN Programs In Arkansas?

2. How Many Schools Offer Accredited MSN Programs In Arkansas?

6

3. What Is The Average MSN Salary In Arkansas?

4. On Average, How Much Do Entry-Level MSN Graduates Make In Arkansas?

5. On Average, How Much Do Experienced MSN Graduates Make In Arkansas?

6. What Is The Average MSN Salary In Arkansas By Metro?

7. Average MSN Salary In Arkansas VS. Average Salaries Of Other Closely Related Occupations In Arkansas

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