For the 2026 school year, there are 184 private schools serving 29,900 students in Arkansas (there are 1,101 public schools, serving 490,514 students). 6% of all K-12 students in Arkansas attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $9,051 for elementary schools and $8,852 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Arkansas include Harding Academy, Providence Academy, and Mt. St. Mary Academy.
The average acceptance rate is 85% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 22% and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Overview
This State (AR)
US
# Schools
184 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
29,900 Students
5,689,398 Students
% Average Students of Color
22%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
2,467 Teachers
508,485 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
43%
55%
Average Class Size
13 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
21 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1230
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
25
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$9,358
$14,950
Average Summer Program Cost
$221
$1,153
Average % on Financial Aid
26%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$3,509
$7,228
Average Acceptance Rate
85%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$17.33 million
$63.28 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.58
0.65
# American Indian Students
106 Students
29,824 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1,022 Students
264,899 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
1,628 Students
506,804 Students
% Hispanic Students
6%
9%
# Black Students
1,207 Students
415,674 Students
% Black Students
4%
7%
# White Students
17,665 Students
2,930,451 Students
% White Students
59%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
30 Students
20,066 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
8,381 Students
1,473,461 Students
% of Others Students
28%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
6 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
7 sports
7 sports
Top-Ranked Arkansas Private Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: River Mountain (6 schools), Hillcrest (3 schools), Leawood (3 schools), Upper Baseline (2 schools), 65th Street West (1 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in Arkansas?
The top-ranked private schools in Arkansas include Harding Academy, Providence Academy, and Mt. St. Mary Academy.
How many private schools are located in Arkansas?
There are 184 private schools are located in Arkansas.
How much do private schools cost in Arkansas?
The average private school tuition in Arkansas is $9,051 for elementary schools and $8,852 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Arkansas?
Approximately 22% of students in Arkansas private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Arkansas go to private school?
6% of all K-12 students in Arkansas attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Arkansas?
Which private schools in Arkansas are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Arkansas include: Clearview Christian Academy vs. Cleburne County Christian School (sorry Missed Fir, Cleburne County Christian School (sorry Missed Fir vs. Clearview Christian Academy, Pathway Christian Academy vs. Immaculate Conception Catholic School
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