Arkansas — The Natural State
Ozarka College offers Arkansas's cheapest CNA program at just $705. The Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship covers tuition at eligible schools. Free employer-sponsored training is widely available — and the Natural State's low cost of living makes every CNA paycheck go further.
Arkansas's CNA training requirement sits above the federal minimum at 90 hours — enough to prepare you well, but short enough to get you certified in 6–16 weeks. Programs are available across every region of the state, from Little Rock and Fayetteville to Jonesboro, Fort Smith, and rural communities. The Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship — funded by lottery revenue — covers tuition at approved programs for healthcare training, making CNA certification accessible even without out-of-pocket funds.
Program costs & details
Arkansas requires 90 hours of approved CNA training — above the federal 75-hour minimum but well below high-requirement states. Programs run 3–16 weeks and are available through community colleges, the UAMS Caregiving network, and private training centers. Two UAMS tracks exist — the standard track and the Fast Track 91-hour program available near Little Rock and Fort Smith.
| School / Program | Location | Cost (approx.) | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozarka College (cheapest in state) | Melbourne / Hardy / Salem / Cave City | $705 | Varies | In-person — north-central Arkansas |
| North Arkansas College (Northark) | Harrison | $775 (3 weeks) | 3 weeks (M–Th, 8:30am–5pm) | In-person — monthly class schedule year-round |
| UAMS Fast Track CNA Program | Little Rock / Fort Smith | ~$800–$1,000 | 91 hours (single intensive course) | In-person — fastest path to Arkansas certification |
| Arkansas Northeastern College | Blytheville | ~$800–$1,000 | 6–10 weeks | In-person |
| Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) | Bentonville / Rogers | ~$900–$1,200 | 6–10 weeks | In-person — Walmart/Northwest Arkansas corridor |
| Phillips Community College / UA Community College Batesville | Helena / Batesville | ~$800–$1,000 | 6–10 weeks | In-person |
| Facility-Sponsored (LTC & Nursing Homes) | Statewide | FREE + paid salary during training | Varies | On-the-job — facility pays all costs + salary |
The Arkansas Workforce Challenge Scholarship, created by the state legislature and funded by lottery revenue, covers CNA program tuition at eligible schools for qualifying Arkansas residents. It's specifically designed for high-demand healthcare training. The catch: you must apply 30 days before your CNA class starts — so plan ahead. Contact the workforce development office at Northark, NWACC, or your community college of choice and ask about Workforce Challenge Scholarship availability. This scholarship, combined with WIOA funding for eligible programs, can eliminate your tuition cost entirely.
North Arkansas College offers a unique "Facility-Sponsored Student" track — a healthcare facility (hospital or nursing home) contracts to pay your $775 tuition directly in exchange for your commitment to work there after certification. No application process, no scholarship paperwork — the facility handles everything. Contact local nursing homes in the Harrison area and ask: "Do you sponsor students in the Northark CNA program?" Many say yes. This is the fastest path to free CNA certification in northern Arkansas.
2026 salary data
Arkansas CNA wages average $14–$15/hr statewide ($30,000/year) — below the national average. But Arkansas also has one of the lowest costs of living in the country, and experienced CNAs in specialized settings or hospitals can reach $18/hr. Little Rock and Fayetteville-Northwest Arkansas pay the most.
| City / Area | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Cost of Living Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock / North Little Rock | $14–$18/hr | ~$29,120–$37,440 | State capital, UAMS & Baptist Health hub — highest AR wages |
| Fayetteville / Northwest Arkansas | $14–$18/hr | ~$29,120–$37,440 | Washington Regional, Mercy NW Arkansas — fastest-growing AR market |
| Fort Smith | $13–$17/hr | ~$27,040–$35,360 | Mercy Fort Smith, UAMS Fast Track available here |
| Jonesboro | $13–$17/hr | ~$27,040–$35,360 | St. Bernards Medical Center, Arkansas State University community |
| Springdale / Rogers / Bentonville | $14–$18/hr | ~$29,120–$37,440 | Walmart corporate corridor — higher area wages, NWACC programs |
| Texarkana | $13–$16/hr | ~$27,040–$33,280 | CHRISTUS St. Michael, border market — Texas wages nearby |
| Fayetteville VA Medical Center | Federal pay scale | $38,000–$55,000+ | Federal wages significantly above state average — apply USAJobs.gov |
Sources: TopNursing.org (2026), CNAClasses.com, BLS OES. Actual pay varies by facility, shift, and experience. AR's low COL significantly increases purchasing power.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & free options
Your next step
Arkansas LPN programs run 11–12 months and the median LPN salary is $43,270/year — a meaningful step up from CNA wages. Many of the same community colleges offering CNA programs also have LPN pathways, and major health systems offer tuition assistance for CNAs pursuing LPN.
90 hours minimum. D&S Diversified (Headmaster) exam ($120 total). AR DHS OLTC registry. 3–16 weeks. Ozarka at $705 or facility-sponsored for free.
Available at UAMS, NWACC, North Arkansas College, and many others. ~11–12 months. Median AR LPN salary: $43,270/year. Northark CNA program also satisfies Northark LPN program prerequisite.
UAMS College of Nursing, UA Fayetteville, Arkansas State University, and community colleges offer ADN and BSN programs. Average AR RN salary: $66,000+/year.
For moms in Arkansas