Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Little Rock, Arkansas
Arkansas Baptist College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
2.6Avg GPA
$22,626Annual Cost
$28,418Grad Salary
46%Pell Grant
Avg GPA
2.6
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Need-Based Aid
46% receive Pell
Arkansas Baptist College is a historic, urban, and faith-based institution that serves as the only Baptist-affiliated HBCU west of the Mississippi. Located in Little Rock, the college offers a supportive environment that blends academic instruction with a vibrant campus culture, including a robust athletics program and a renowned marching band. Its curriculum emphasizes both traditional liberal arts and modern fields, fostering personal growth and leadership development for a diverse student population seeking a values-driven undergraduate experience.
Arkansas Baptist College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Arkansas Baptist College is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
2.60 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
2.40 – 2.59
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.15
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Arkansas Baptist College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Arkansas Baptist College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Arkansas Baptist College reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Arkansas Baptist College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Arkansas Baptist College is 2.6. That makes admissions here less selective on GPA specifically. Most admitted students carry a mix of B's and C's.
A solid SAT or ACT score is the fastest way to strengthen an application in this range.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 2.80–3.00.Check Your Admission Chances at Arkansas Baptist College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Arkansas Baptist College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Arkansas Baptist College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Arkansas Baptist College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Arkansas Baptist College Without SAT or ACT?
Arkansas Baptist College's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Arkansas Baptist College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into Arkansas Baptist College is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Lean into the "only one west of the Mississippi" identity
ABC is the only historically Black, Baptist-affiliated college west of the Mississippi River. Essays or interviews that connect a student's own faith/community background to that specific distinction land better than generic HBCU-interest language.
Use the open-enrollment door, then aim higher
Admission is open to anyone with a HS diploma or GED, so the real competition is for scholarships and program placement (Business Administration, Human Services, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Religious Studies). Applicants should ask directly about program-specific scholarship funds rather than assuming general admission covers cost.
Reference the campus's civil rights location
ABC sits in the Central High Historic District in Little Rock, near Little Rock Central High School. Students interested in public administration, criminal justice, or history programs can genuinely tie an essay to that setting - it's a specific, verifiable local connection, not generic HBCU pride talk.
Know the school's comeback story
ABC was on HLC accreditation probation from 2019-2022 due to financial distress, and was fully restored in 2022 after cutting over $30 million in debt. If a family raises accreditation concerns, this is current, resolved, and worth explaining directly rather than avoiding.
Expert Insight:
Because admission is open and test-optional, applicants sometimes submit a thin application assuming acceptance alone secures funding. Financial aid and program scholarships are a separate, more competitive layer - don't stop at "getting in."
Arkansas Baptist College Profile
Full Name
Arkansas Baptist College
City
Little Rock
State
Arkansas
ZIP Code
72202-6068
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Arkansas Baptist College Degree Worth It?
Whether Arkansas Baptist College is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $43,300, and graduates see a 4.79% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Arkansas Baptist College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $22,626/year at Arkansas Baptist College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Arkansas Baptist College, 46% receive a Pell Grant and 41.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Arkansas Baptist College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Arkansas Baptist College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Arkansas Baptist College graduates report a median income of $28,418, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at Arkansas Baptist College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Baptist College Admissions
Arkansas Baptist College graduates earn a lower median salary of $28,418/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Arkansas Baptist College is relatively affordable, around $22,626/year.
46.0% of Arkansas Baptist College students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income — filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
The average GPA of admitted Arkansas Baptist College students is 2.6, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 2.3 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Arkansas Baptist College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 2.2 or below makes admission tougher at Arkansas Baptist College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Arkansas Baptist College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Arkansas Baptist College charges an application fee of 25; ask admissions about waiver eligibility if cost is a barrier.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
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