
About
National Park Community College, located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, was founded in was established 2003 and is the fourth largest community college in the state. The school was formed as a merger between the schools Garland County Community College (1973) and Quapaw Technical Institute (1969). The school is named after the nearby Hot Springs National Park, and is situated in area known for its picturesque landscape and relatively small community. Since the merger, the school has received a large donation from Frederick M. Dierks allowing for the construction of new facilities and the renovation of older ones. The school currently enrolls nearly 7000 students in credit programs, and non-credit courses annually.
Academics
National Park Community College offers a large variety of programs to ensure that students will be able to choose one that best suits their academic or professional goals. Students may choose a career program that provides the training and knowledge of a particular field, allowing the students to enter the workforce as a professional upon completion of the program. Such programs take between one and two years to complete and result in a certificate or associate degree. Successful graduates of these programs are eligible for positions at the entry level, though some careers may require local or state certification or licensure prior to employment.
Academic transfer programs provide students the opportunity to complete the first two years of a four year education at low monetary cost, then transfer to a college or university to complete their bachelor's degree. Students will find ease of transfer with partner universities through the University in the Park programs. Students may wish to apply to non affiliated colleges and universities and ss four year institutions have varying requirements for transfer admission, it is recommended that students meet with a counselor to outline a curriculum that best meet the requirements of the student's desired school or schools.
Programs offered include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
As an open enrollment institution, National Park Community College will admit any student who meets the minimal requirements for enrollment, specifically having a high school diploma or equivalent or be over 23 years of age. Students wishing to enroll must submit a completed admissions application and provide all secondary information if possible, including transcripts and standardized test scores. Students are encouraged to participate in orientation. Registration for courses takes place shortly before the start of each semester.
Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information from which will be used to determine financial costs of tuition, books and related expenses, aid program eligibility, and monetary awards. Students may be asked to provide additional financial documentation to ensure that the information provided by the FAFSA is accurate. Financial aid must be reapplied for prior to the start of each academic year, prior to the deadlines posted by the school.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $8,000. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Tuition estimates per year:
- State Residents: $2,600-$3,200
- Out-of-State: $4,000-$4,824
- Charges for part-time students are:
- State Residents: $88-$110 per credit unit
- Nonresidents: $130-$160 per credit unit
- Some programs may have a frozen tuition rate, which means the tuition will stay the same for up to five years.
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 78% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 76% | $4,765 |
Receiving Student Loans | 30% | $5,870 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To help support students, National Park Community College may provide services to students including:
- Distance learning
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Counseling assistance
- Student employment
- Employment search assistance
Graduation & Transfer Rates
Community colleges often offer both career training programs and options for students to transfer-out to four year institutions, which is why the table below is so important, it compares this school against community colleges in Arkansas.
National Park College | Garland County | Arkansas | |
---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate | 19.7% | - | 22.2% |
Transfer-out Rate | 13.2% | - | 14.1% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (since 1984)
- Find all the other nursing programs in Arkansas
- Radiology Technician Program
- Accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (since 1985)
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by National Park Community College by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Agriculture Operations
- Poultry Science
Business and Marketing Studies
- Hospitality Administration and Management (A, C)
- Commerce (A)
- Bookkeeping (A, C)
- Administrative Assistant (A)
- Banking and Financial Services (C)
- Office Management and Supervision
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer (A, C)
- Web Design (C)
Education
- Teacher Education, Multiple Levels (A)
Engineering
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Child Care (A)
- Child Care Provider (C)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Health Services (C)
- Nursing (A)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (C)
- EMT & Paramedic (C)
- Radiology Technician (A)
- Health Information and Medical Records Technology (A, C)
- Respiratory Therapy (A)
- Phlebotomy (C)
- Medical Lab Technician (A)
- Pharmacy Technician (A)
- Medical Records Administrator (C)
- Medical Executive Assistant
- Nursing Assistant
- Medication Aide
Interdisciplinary Studies
Legal Professions and Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- General Studies (A)
- Liberal Arts (A, C)
Mechanic and Repair Technology
- Auto Mechanic (C)
- Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) (C)
- Marine Maintenance, Fitter and Ship Repair Technology (C)
- Industrial Mechanics
Precision Production
- Welding (C)
Security and Protective Services
- Police Science (A)
- Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and Firefighting
Visual and Performing Arts
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to National Park Community College.
- College of the Ouachitas in Malvern, AR (21 miles away)
- University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton in Morrilton, AR (48 miles away)
- Southern Arkansas University Tech in Camden, AR (63 miles away)
- Rich Mountain Community College in Mena, AR (63 miles away)
- University of Arkansas Community College - Hope in Hope, AR (66 miles away)