Best Community Colleges in Arkansas of 2024

All the typical certificate and degree programs are offered at UACC-Hope, as well as a few unique programs. The funeral services department is well-regarded, but the James Black School of Bladesmithing and Historic Trades is where UACC-Hope stands out. The bladesmithing track offers a certificate of proficiency and requires six credit hours, which students can earn over a few weeks. In-county tuition is $74 per credit hour. The funeral service education options include both certificates and degrees. Some of the programs require in-person classes for labs and hands-on training, but the Associate of Applied Science in Funeral Service Education is an online program. The cost is $112 per credit hour, and students are required to have their own computers.

The online Medical Laboratory Technology program at North Arkansas College is ranked #2 nationwide. The program is commended for affordability and overall quality. The program boasts a 100% job placement rate. The coursework is delivered online, and students attend clinicals in their own communities, so even though the instruction is remote, graduates can enter the workforce with hands-on experience. The program takes five semesters, and there’s a transfer option for those who want to move on to a four-year program. Besides federal and state financial aid, NorthArk offers several scholarships and the three-year completion rate for the online MLT program is 100%.

The American Dental Association accredits the dental assisting certificate program at ANC. The one-year full-time program prepares students to work in modern dental offices. To apply, prospective students need to submit their high school transcripts or GED diploma and take the ACT. There is a mandatory orientation, and the curriculum delivery is in-person, multimodal, and over zoom. There are mandatory clinicals, and classes are usually between 8 am and 3 pm, so the ability to attend classes during the day is essential. The program requires three semesters of study and 38 credit hours. The tuition, including fees and associated costs, is almost $6,500 for in-county residents and $7,000 for out-of-county residents.

UACC-Morrilton offers tracks of study that suit every timeframe. Their four-month certificate of proficiency programs get students educated in the basics and out into the workforce with earning potential, while their nine-month technical certificates allow students to dive deeper into the information. Students can leverage associate degree options into applied science degrees focusing on real-world experiences or transfer track programs that lead to a four-year degree. Topics of study include Crime Scene Investigation, Disaster Preparedness, and Emergency Management, Forestry, Law Enforcement, Theater, and Welding. Because students are able to choose which level of degree is right for them, they can join the workforce with essential skills at any level.

The Agriculture Department at UACC–Batesville prepares students with the academic and real-world skills they need to compete and succeed in the agriculture industry. The Associate of Science track covers accounting, economic analysis, and business management. Additional topics include soils and animal science. The 60-credit-hour program typically takes two years of full-time study but can be done part-time, and some classes are available online for those who need flexible scheduling. The Agricultural Technology program is similar but includes more practical courses. The department also offers certificates in both fields, as well as animal science, plant science, and soil science. The agriculture industry is booming, and UACC–Batesville has affordable options for students looking to enter the field.

The options for student support at NWACC are relevant and easy to access. The school has centers to coach students in math and writing and tutoring services for individual courses. The library has study rooms and workshops for academic literacy. As a First Gen Forward designated institution, the school has a number of resources focused on students without prior familial experience in higher education. The technology office ensures students can access computer labs and any specialized technology they need for classes. There's also an honors program, as well as study abroad, and service learning opportunities for interested students.

Many of the A.A. programs at Rich Mountain are designed to prepare students to transfer to a university and complete a four-year degree. Offering associate degrees in teaching, arts, general studies, biology, business administration, chemistry, nursing, mechanical engineering, and welding, Rich Mountain supports students as they complete their first two years of study in a close-knit, affordable environment. Rich Mountain offers on-campus housing and an appealing student-life culture. While studying at Rich Mountain, students will get a taste of the university lifestyle without being overwhelmed or overlooked. The athletics department has competitive teams for cross-country, track, soccer, softball, baseball, and livestock judging.

National Park College is located near Arkansas’s Hot Springs National Park, and the resort community is an idyllic location to earn a degree. Just 45 minutes southwest of Little Rock, the school is close to hiking trails and the thermal waters of the park. Degrees are offered in the arts and humanities, business, education, health sciences, nursing, social and behavioral sciences, STEM, and trade technology. The options at NPC mean that the school serves students looking for continuing education and certificates that will support them in the workforce, as well as two-year degrees. NPC also offers bachelor’s degrees through a partnership with Southern Arkansas University.