For the 2026 school year, there are 184 private schools serving 30,350 students in Arkansas (there are 1,104 public schools, serving 490,938 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 $9,350 for elementary schools and $8,690 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Arkansas include Immaculate Conception Catholic School, Harding Academy, and Catholic High School For Boys.
The average acceptance rate is 85% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 21% and the student-teacher ratio is 12:1.
Overview
This State (AR)
US
# Schools
184 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
30,350 Students
5,699,718 Students
% Average Students of Color
21%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
2,480 Teachers
508,053 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
$9,647
$14,879
Average Summer Program Cost
$221
$1,136
Average % on Financial Aid
26%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$3,509
$7,139
Average Acceptance Rate
85%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$17.33 million
$61.9 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.58
0.65
# American Indian Students
106 Students
29,879 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1,022 Students
265,081 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
1,628 Students
507,336 Students
% Hispanic Students
6%
9%
# Black Students
1,207 Students
416,665 Students
% Black Students
4%
7%
# White Students
17,665 Students
2,933,287 Students
% White Students
59%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
30 Students
20,067 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
8,537 Students
1,472,129 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 Immaculate Conception Catholic School, Harding Academy, and Catholic High School For Boys.
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 $9,350 for elementary schools and $8,690 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Arkansas?
Approximately 21% 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
Recent Articles
How to Ask About Staff Screening Without Apologizing
Parents should feel comfortable asking how private schools screen employees. Learn which questions matter, what answers to expect, and why transparency about hiring and student safety is a hallmark of a well-managed school.
What Facility Safety Tells You About School Oversight
A school's facilities reveal far more than appearance. Learn how building maintenance, emergency preparedness, and campus safety practices can help parents evaluate school leadership, oversight, and long-term commitment to student well-being.
Is the School Legally a School? A Parent Verification Checklist
Before enrolling your child in a private school, learn how to verify that it is legally operating, properly accredited, and authorized to issue recognized diplomas with this practical parent checklist for making a confident school choice.
