2023 Best Online Community Colleges in Arkansas

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) offers seven online associate degree programs — three of which are 100% online and four that require an onsite internship class in a business environment where students can apply their skills. Online associate degrees that may be completed entirely online include General Transfer, Business General Transfer, and Environmental and Regulatory Science. Online degree programs that may be completed 95% online include three associate degrees in Business Management and one in Health Information Management. Business Management concentrations include Entrepreneurship, Logistics Management, and Retail Management. Students can order supplies and textbooks online through the NWACC bookstore. Tech support is available online as well, and distance learners may meet with academic advisors via phone.

Arkansas State University - Newport (ASUN) helps students earn online certificates and associate degrees to jump-start their careers or enroll in four-year bachelor’s degree programs throughout the state. Online certificate programs include Law Enforcement Administration, Crime Scene Investigation, Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and General Studies. Students can enroll in online associate degree programs in Criminal Justice and Education. ASUN also offers associate transfer degrees in General Education, Social Studies, Natural Science, and Liberal Arts to transfer to Arkansas’ four-year institutions. Some online student resources include tutoring, the ASUN bookstore, IT support, and library services.

The University of Arkansas Cossatot Community College (UA Cossatot) believes in making higher education accessible and affordable. It is the only Hispanic-serving institution in the state of Arkansas. It offers online certificates and associate degrees so students have the flexibility to complete their education at home or on the go. Distance learners can earn online technical certificates in subjects such as administrative assistance, accounting, medical assistance, and health professions (which helps students gain basic medical knowledge used in the industry). Online associate degree majors include General Studies, Business, Accounting, Administrative Assistance, Criminal Justice, and Psychology. Online transfer degrees can help students earn credits toward bachelor’s degrees at Arkansas’ four-year institutions. Distance learners can also access online tutoring, library services, and career resources.

North Arkansas College believes in providing students with the benefits of distance learning without forsaking quality. As a result, students can enroll in online associate degrees in Business, General Studies, Accounting, Management, and Medical Laboratory Technology. Online professional development certificates are also available in Accounting, Biomedical Electronics Technology, Office Management, Small Business Management, and General Studies. Students interested in earning a bachelor’s degree can complete an online transfer degree program, saving time and money in the long run. North Arkansas’ online courses are offered synchronously and asynchronously, depending on the study path. Online student resources include career services, tech support, mental health counseling, and library services.

Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech) offers online associate degrees in growing fields, such as Criminal Justice, Computer Information Technology, Fire Science Management, and Environmental Management. Distance learners can also gain job-readiness skills for direct workforce entry by completing online certificates in office management, medical office administration and medical coding, and paraprofessional and early childhood education. Future teachers can complete online courses to help them transfer to bachelor’s degree programs offered at SAU and Henderson State University (HSU) or complete a teaching residence online. Student resources — such as advising, exam proctoring, and the SAU Tech bookstore — are available online.