Among Arkansas post-secondary institutions in 2024, the University of Central Arkansas ranked fifth in average coaching salary, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
At that time, the university provided its coaches with an average salary of $82,491, with the top coaching salary reaching $106,254.
The University of Arkansas led the state in 2024 by offering the highest average coaching salary of $1.3 million.
Coaches at Arkansas post-secondary schools earned an average salary of $104,208 in 2024, marking a 13.2% rise from the previous year’s average of $92,052.
A Knight Commission report projects that within a decade, some Power 5 football coaches will earn more than their schools spend on scholarships and medical care for all athletes. The study estimates more than $1 billion in new annual revenue from the expanded College Football Playoff and media rights deals. By 2032, nearly half of public Power 5 schools could reach this ‘crossover point.’
Incomplete data provided by post-secondary institutions can sometimes skew salary data.
| Institution | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| The University of Arkansas | $1.3 million |
| The University of Arkansas at Little Rock | $156,113 |
| The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | $91,675 |
| Arkansas State University | $88,470 |
| The University of Central Arkansas | $82,491 |
| Ouachita Baptist University | $67,918 |
| Harding University | $58,567 |
| The University of Arkansas at Monticello | $49,394 |
| Arkansas Tech University | $47,681 |
| The University of the Ozarks | $41,898 |
Information in this story was obtained from the U.S. Department of Education. The source data can be found here.
