As of the 2020 Census, Arkansas had a population of 3,011,524. More recent Census-based estimates place the state at about 3.11 million residents, making it the 33rd most populous state in the United States. Today, the state relies on sectors such as services, tourism, and agriculture, including major crops such as rice, soybeans, cotton, and corn, to support its economy.
As for its education system, Arkansas is home to over 40 higher education institutions, including 10 four-year universities, 22 two-year colleges, 12 private universities, and one academic health center. The Arkansas State University System and the University of Arkansas System are two of the state’s major public higher education systems. In addition, Hendrix College is ranked among the top 100 National Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News & World Report.
If you want to study medicine in Arkansas, you now have several MD and DO pathways to consider. Let’s take a look at these best medical schools in Arkansas.
Top Medical Schools in Arkansas
1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is a public health sciences university in Little Rock, Arkansas, and part of the University of Arkansas System. The UAMS College of Medicine has educated physicians since 1879 and has trained the vast majority of Arkansas physicians. U.S. News & World Report listed UAMS as a Tier 1 medical school nationally for primary care education in its 2024 Best Medical Schools rankings, and UAMS also ranked ninth for graduates practicing in health professional shortage areas and 11th for graduates practicing in rural areas.
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university. It includes colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions, and Public Health; a graduate school; a hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and eight institutes. UAMS College of Medicine students can study on the Little Rock campus or the Northwest Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, and clinical training includes sites such as Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, and Baptist Health.
UAMS is an allopathic medical school where graduates receive a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. The university also offers many other health care and research programs, including medical laboratory sciences, physical therapy, nursing, public health, pharmacy, and more.
2. Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) is a private, nonprofit health education institution in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Its first program, the Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine (ARCOM), welcomed its first class of medical students in 2017. ARCOM is accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) and, in April 2025, received Accreditation with Exceptional Outcome for 10 years.
Clinical education is an important part of ARCOM’s curriculum. During the third year, students complete rotations in core regions, and clinical partners include hospitals and health systems across Arkansas and neighboring states. Fourth-year students may also complete rotations at approved affiliated sites.
ACHE provides student services and wellness support, including counseling, academic advising, financial counseling, and mental health resources. The institution offers several graduate and professional programs for aspiring health professionals, including Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Biomedicine, Doctor of Executive Leadership, Doctor of Medical Science, and Physician Associate Practice.
Students can apply for institutional scholarships and other funding options to help cover their education costs while attending ACHE. The institution’s financial aid office assists students with scholarships, federal and private loans, veteran education benefits, military health profession scholarships, and other federal or state aid programs.
Hopefully, this article on medical schools in Arkansas was insightful and helpful. To learn more about studying in the United States, check out the Study in the USA Page and Available Courses for International Students.
