Compare 10 General Studies. programs in Arkansas. Average earnings: $35,779.
General Studies programs produce graduates earning between $30,901 and $48,340—a $17K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 10 ranked programs in Arkansas, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
University of Central Arkansas leads with General Studies graduates earning $48,340, well above the state average of $35,779. Following at $43,353, Harding University shows that smaller programs can compete—its 48-student cohort proves size doesn't determine success. Meanwhile, University of Arkansas at Little Rock rounds out the top three at $37,036.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Central Arkansas graduates borrow $20,346 and face just a 10.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income, making it the clear best value choice.
Highest program earnings: $48,340
Strong outcomes with 90% acceptance
10.8% payment burden | Good
20.7% family burden | Challenging
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $48,340 | 14 | $20,346 | Good | $16,180 | Challenging | |
| #2 | Harding UniversityPrivate | $43,353 | 48 | $26,500 | Manageable | $27,785 | High |
| #3 | $37,036 | 58 | $22,000 | Challenging | $10,492 | High | |
| #4 | $36,883 | 172 | $20,500 | Challenging | $11,000 | High | |
| #5 | $34,059 | 34 | $19,500 | Challenging | $10,000 | High | |
| #6 | $32,717 | 27 | $18,250 | Challenging | $12,415 | High | |
| #7 | John Brown UniversityPrivate | $31,839 | 11 | $21,250 | High | $18,650 | High |
| #8 | $31,351 | 41 | $24,202 | High | $11,016 | High | |
| #9 | Williams Baptist UniversityPrivate | $31,309 | 13 | $21,820 | High | $17,910 | High |
| #10 | $30,901 | 42 | $18,750 | High | $10,771 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
