
Northwest Arkansas Community College, located in Bentonville, Arkansas, was established in 1989, replacing the need for the branch campus established by North Arkansas Community College through property tax increases that allowed for the building of the new school. During its first few years of operation the school lacked the funding for a permanent location and many classes were held throughout the city in a variety of buildings, causing the school to be known as the “College without walls.” Today the school serves a large service area and provides a modern quality education to its students through updated facilities and perpetually reviewed programs and services.
Academics
Northwest Arkansas Community College offers a large number of programs and allows students to benefit from the one that best suits their academic or career goals. Upon completing a program, usually taking between one and two years, students will be awarded a certificate or associate degree. Academic programs provide the opportunity to complete the freshman and sophomore years of a four year education, followed by transfer to a four year institution to continue their education and earn a bachelor's degree. Individuals may apply for transfer to any school they wish, though the requirements for transfer will vary from one school to another. Students seeking transfer should seek assistance from an academic advisor to develop a curriculum that will best assist in admission to one's school or schools of choice.
Career programs provide the necessary training and skills for an individual to enter the workforce as a qualified professional. Students will take program specific courses that are usually divided between practical application and classroom courses based on the program of study. The resulting degree or certificate demonstrates competency in one's field of study and allows for the pursuit and procurement of employment at the entry level in their chosen field. Such programs generally reflect the needs of the community, and as such individuals pursuing such a course of study will find job opportunities more easily due to community demands.
Programs offered include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
As a public two year open enrollment institution, Northwest Arkansas Community College will admit any student who meets the minimum requirements for admission. Interested students must submit an application for admission to enroll and supply transcripts from previous schools, test scores, and take a placement exam prior to registration. It is recommended that students participate in orientation and to meet with a counselor to outline goals, program enrollment, and curriculum.
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 need, aid program eligibility, and monetary awards. Students may be asked provide additional financial information in order to verify the FAFSA's accuracy. Aid must be applied for prior to the start of each academic year.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $6,600. In order to calculate a more accurate and detailed cost of attendance check out their cost calculator here. There is also a $20 application fee for those applying to a program. 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: $2,300-$2,700
- Out-of-State: $3,800-$4,500
- Charges for part-time students are:
- In-State: $75-$90 per unit
- Out-of-State: $130-$150 per unit
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 | 86% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 84% | $4,357 |
Receiving Student Loans | 27% | $4,172 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To help support students, NorthWest Arkansas Community College may offer services including:
- Online classes
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Academic counseling for students
- Student employment
- Helping students find work after graduation
Graduation & Transfer Rates
Community colleges offer a variety of career and transfer options for students. The following table shows the graduation and transfer-out rates for NorthWest Arkansas Community College, versus those community colleges in Arkansas, which can be valuable information for determining which school to attend.
NWACC | Benton County | Arkansas | |
---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate | 14.1% | - | 22.2% |
Transfer-out Rate | 21.2% | - | 14.1% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
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 NorthWest Arkansas 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
- Agriculture (A)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (A)
- Commerce (A)
- Hospitality Administration and Management (C)
- Bookkeeping (C)
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management (C)
- Entrepreneurship
- Taxation
- Retailing and Retail Operations
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer (A, C)
Education
- Teacher Education, Multiple Levels (A)
- Early Childhood Education (A)
- Teacher Assistant (TA)
Engineering Technology
- Environmental Engineering Technology and Environmental Technology (A, C)
- Computer Aided Design (CAD) (A, C)
- Electrical and Communications Engineering Technology (A)
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Child Care (C)
- Child Development (C)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (A)
- EMT & Paramedic (A, C)
- Health Services (C)
- Physical Therapist Assistant (A)
- Dental Assistant (C)
- Health Information and Medical Records Technology (A, C)
- Respiratory Therapy (A)
- Nursing Assistant (C)
Legal Professions and Studies
- Paralegal (A)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A, C)
- General Studies (A)
Mechanic and Repair Technology
- Aircraft Powerplant Technology
Natural Resources and Conservation
Personal and Culinary Services
- Culinary Arts (A, C)
- Baking And Pastry (C)
Security and Protective Services
- Police Science (C)
- Criminal Justice (A)
- Fire Services Administration (A)
- Forensic Science (C)
- Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and Firefighting (A, C)
- Law and Justice Administration
Visual and Performing Arts
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to NorthWest Arkansas Community College.
- North Arkansas College in Harrison, AR (61 miles away)
- Labette Community College in Parsons, KS (90 miles away)
- Arkansas State University - Mountain Home in Mountain Home, AR (99 miles away)
- University of Arkansas Community College - Morrilton in Morrilton, AR (117 miles away)
- Rich Mountain Community College in Mena, AR (123 miles away)