Best Online Nursing Programs in Little Rock, AR (2026)
Little Rock, Arkansas has a population of about 202,739. The city’s median household income is $60,583 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 44.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Little Rock, with tuition ranging from $3,216 to $14,799 per year. In the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $186,780 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Little Rock
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Little Rock city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | Little Rock, AR | 2.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College | North Little Rock, AR | 5.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Arkansas State University-Beebe | Beebe, AR | 35.5 mi | $3,216 - $14,799 | – |
| Arkansas State University Three Rivers | Malvern, AR | 35.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arkansas schools on the Arkansas nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Little Rock
Little Rock is part of the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metro area (BLS area code 30780). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arkansas statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,830 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $89,295 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $52,410 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $58,624 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $186,780 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $208,926 |
| Nurse Midwife | N/A | AR statewide | – |
| Nurse Practitioner | $113,660 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $127,136 |
| Nursing Assistant | $35,630 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $39,855 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Little Rock at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 202,739 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $60,583 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 44.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 89.4 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Pulaski County | 17,013 workers, 106 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Little Rock-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- North Little Rock, AR – 7.9 mi away (66,278 pop)
- Bryant, AR – 10.7 mi away (20,005 pop)
- Sherwood, AR – 12.4 mi away (30,657 pop)
- Benton, AR – 15.9 mi away (35,775 pop)
- Jacksonville, AR – 16.8 mi away (28,518 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Little Rock, AR?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Little Rock. The closest is University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, AR (2.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Arkansas State University Three Rivers (35.6 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Little Rock?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Little Rock are: Nurse Anesthetist ($186,780), Nurse Practitioner ($113,660), Registered Nurse ($79,830). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arkansas statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in North Little Rock instead of Little Rock?
North Little Rock, AR is 7.9 miles from Little Rock and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Little Rock an affordable place to study nursing?
Little Rock’s median household income of $60,583 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Little Rock while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arkansas public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.