Accredited nursing programs in Arkansas
21 schools in Arkansas have at least one nursing program accredited by ACEN or CCNE: 12 BSN, 12 ADN, 2 LPN, 7 MSN programs. For the bachelor’s degree, 7 of 12 listings are CCNE and 5 are ACEN.
- Bachelor's programs
- 12
- 5 ACEN, 7 CCNE
- Associate programs
- 12
- 12 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Practical programs
- 2
- 2 ACEN, 0 CCNE
- Master's programs
- 7
- 2 ACEN, 5 CCNE
Accredited schools in Arkansas
| School | City | Type | BSN | ADN | LPN | MSN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Northeastern College | Blytheville | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro | Public | ACEN | ACEN | – | ACEN |
| Arkansas State University Three Rivers | Malvern | Public | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville | Public | ACEN | ACEN | – | ACEN |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock | Private | – | ACEN | ACEN | – |
| Harding University | Searcy | Private | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Henderson State University | Arkadelphia | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| Jefferson Regional School of Nursing | Pine Bluff | Private | – | ACEN | – | – |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs | Private | CCNE | – | – | – |
| National Park College | Hot Springs | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| North Arkansas College | Harrison | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| NorthWest Arkansas Community College | Bentonville | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia | Private | ACEN | – | – | – |
| Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas | Helena | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia | Public | ACEN | – | – | – |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock | Public | ACEN | ACEN | – | – |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville | Batesville | Public | – | ACEN | – | – |
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | Little Rock | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith | Public | CCNE | – | – | – |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway | Public | CCNE | – | – | CCNE |
Programs listed as accredited in the ACEN directory (opens in a new tab) and the CCNE directory (opens in a new tab), collected November 2026 and matched to schools by name and city. Programs in candidacy are not counted. A dash means no accredited program at that level was matched.
Programs with an ACEN note
ACEN publishes a note beside some listings. The wording below is ACEN’s own; open the listing for what it means for the program.
- Arkansas Tech University, MSN: With Conditions. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
- Southern Arkansas University Main Campus, BSN: Withdrawing. ACEN listing (opens in a new tab)
What accreditation means in Arkansas
Two separate approvals apply to a nursing program. The Arkansas board of nursing approves programs so their graduates can sit the NCLEX. Programmatic accreditation from ACEN or CCNE is voluntary and is judged by a national peer body.
Bachelor's programs are the most common accredited level here, with 12. For bachelor’s degrees, 12 of 15 schools reporting graduates to the federal government matched an accredited program (80%). Compare Arkansas BSN programs by NCLEX pass rate, cost and pay.
Common questions
How many nursing schools in Arkansas are accredited?
We matched 21 Arkansas schools to at least one accredited nursing program in the ACEN and CCNE directories: 12 BSN, 12 ADN, 2 LPN, 7 MSN. Schools with several programs appear once.
What is the difference between ACEN and CCNE?
ACEN accredits nursing programs at every level, from practical nursing to doctorates. CCNE accredits bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Both are recognized by the US Department of Education.
Do I need an accredited program to become a nurse in Arkansas?
Not always. The state board of nursing approves programs for licensure, and that is a separate approval from ACEN or CCNE accreditation. Accreditation still matters for transferring credits, federal and employer tuition benefits, and entry to graduate programs.
Are all Arkansas bachelor’s programs accredited?
12 of the 15 Arkansas schools that report nursing bachelor’s graduates to the federal government matched an accredited listing. A school that does not match may be new, may be listed under another name, or may lack accreditation, so check the accreditor’s own directory before you apply.