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LitherlandwalnutridgePhoto: Photolitherland Chris Litherland · CC BY 3.0
Colleges in and near Walnut Ridge

Walnut Ridge is home to Williams Baptist University

Williams Baptist University (491 students on campus) is inside the city. About 11% of Walnut Ridge’s residents are enrolled in college, above Arkansas (5%).

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Walnut Ridge. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
2
1,481 students on campus
Nearest college
2.8 mi
Williams Baptist University
Residents in college
11%
Above AR (5%)
Nearest community college
10.7 mi
Black River Technical College · $4,776 tuition
Nearest public university
22.4 mi
Arkansas State · $8,090 in-state
Median household income
$45K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Walnut Ridge

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in Walnut RidgeWilliams Baptist University has 491 students on campus in Walnut Ridge, 26% of whom graduate within six years.A community college 10.7 miles awayBlack River Technical College in Pocahontas: tuition and fees $4,776 a year for Arkansas residents.In-state price at Arkansas StateLiving in Arkansas, Arkansas State University charges $8,090 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $14,522. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.Students are 11% of residentsAbove Arkansas (5%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Walnut Ridge

One private college within 2.8 miles, and Black River Technical College 10.7 miles away. The nearest public four-year college, Arkansas State University, is 22.4 miles away.

5 mi10 mi15 miBlack River Technical CollegeWilliams Baptist UniversityWalnut Ridge
University or collegeCommunity college
Williams Baptist UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 491 on campus · In Walnut Ridge83%admitted$16knet price26%graduate$38kearningsBlack River Technical CollegeCommunity college · Public · 990 on campus · 10.7 mi · Pocahontas$5knet price55%graduate$35kearningsTuition and fees: $4,776 a year. The net price counts housing and food at full cost.

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles and the nearest public four-year college. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $30–48k, where Walnut Ridge’s median household income ($45,027) falls.

Black River Technical College10.7 mi · Pocahontas · sticker $14,374 · tuition $4,776$2,770a year
Arkansas State University22.4 mi · Jonesboro · sticker $25,082$9,255a year
Williams Baptist UniversityIn Walnut Ridge · sticker $33,597$19,044a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Williams Baptist UniversityBlack River Technical CollegeArkansas State
Arkansas State University55% graduate$43k earnings$20k typical debt
Black River Technical College55% graduate$35k earnings$10k typical debt
Williams Baptist University26% graduate$38k earnings$22k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Walnut Ridge

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at Williams Baptist University, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Liberal arts 21%Business 21%Psychology 16%Education 12%Parks & recreation 12%Biology 7%Everything else 11%

Biggest programs

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities19 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations5 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Walnut Ridge

Is Walnut Ridge a college town?

No. About 11 of every 100 Walnut Ridge residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Arkansas (5). The largest campus in the city, Williams Baptist University, has 491 students on campus.

What colleges are in Walnut Ridge?

Williams Baptist University is inside the city. Black River Technical College is 10.7 miles away in Pocahontas.

What is the closest community college to Walnut Ridge, and what does it cost?

Black River Technical College in Pocahontas, 10.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $4,776 a year for Arkansas residents; the federal net price, $5,095, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Arkansas State University cost if we live in Arkansas?

Tuition and fees are $8,090 a year in-state and $14,522 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $10,098 (under $30,000 income) to $16,444 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Walnut Ridge. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →