Crowley's Ridge College: $16,440 Tuition

$16,440Tuition

162Students

26%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$39,533Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearNAIAData: 2023-24Churches of Christ

About Crowley's Ridge College

Crowley's Ridge College is a small Christian college affiliated with the Churches of Christ that serves just 162 students in rural Arkansas. The school focuses on combining faith-based education with practical career preparation, offering programs designed for students who want personal attention from faculty. With a student-faculty ratio of 9:1, professors know every student by name. The college draws 58% of its students from Arkansas, creating a tight-knit community where most students live on campus.

The financial picture tells a mixed story. Students pay an average net price of $17,236 after aid, which is reasonable for private college tuition. However, graduates earn a median of $39,533 ten years after graduation, and many carry $26,228 in debt with monthly payments of $278. The 4-year graduation rate sits at just 29%, meaning many students take longer to finish or don't complete their degrees. About 48% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating the school serves many first-generation and lower-income families.

Athletics play a big role in campus life, with 115 athletes competing in 8 NAIA sports as the Pioneers. Nearly three-quarters of the student body participates in athletics, making sports a central part of the college experience. The 71% retention rate suggests most students who start here want to stay, even if finishing proves challenging.

Academics & Faculty

Crowley's Ridge College operates as a small Christian liberal arts college where students get personal attention with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The college focuses on integrating faith with learning across its programs, which is typical for Churches of Christ institutions. However, the 26% six-year graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their degrees, often due to the financial challenges that come with attending a small private college. With only 162 students total, classes are intimate and professors know students by name. The college offers traditional liberal arts subjects along with some professional programs, but the low graduation rate indicates students may need stronger academic support systems despite the small class sizes.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Full-Time Faculty: 47.4%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 28.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 26.1%
Retention Rate: 71.1%
Median Earnings (10 years): $39,533
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Campus Life

Crowley's Ridge College sits in the small town of Paragould, about 90 miles northwest of Memphis. With just 162 students total, this feels more like a close-knit community than a traditional college campus. The student-faculty ratio of 9:1 means professors know your name and notice when you miss class. Most students (about 92% based on housing capacity of 149) live on campus, creating a tight residential experience where everyone knows everyone.

Arkansas weather means hot, humid summers and mild winters with occasional ice storms. You'll need both shorts and a good jacket. Paragould itself is rural, so weekend entertainment often centers around campus activities, intramural sports, or driving to Jonesboro (20 minutes away) for movies and restaurants. With 115 out of 162 students playing varsity sports, athletics dominate the social calendar. The Churches of Christ affiliation shapes campus culture through required chapel services and a conservative social atmosphere. Students here tend to value small-town relationships and close mentorship over big-city amenities.

Setting: Rural-Fringe
Housing Capacity: 149 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1964

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 28°–45°F
July Avg: 71°–89°F
Annual Precipitation: 51.7"
Annual Snowfall: 2.5"

Student Demographics

Crowley's Ridge draws students who want a small Christian college experience close to home, with 58% coming from Arkansas and surrounding states. The student body splits almost evenly between men and women, reflecting the school's broad appeal across different programs. Nearly half receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves working-class families who value affordable Christian education. The Churches of Christ affiliation attracts students from that denomination's tight-knit community, creating a campus where faith and academics blend together. Most students are white, typical for rural Arkansas, with a meaningful African American presence.

Men: 49.4%
Women: 50.6%
White: 79.6%
Black: 17.9%
Hispanic: 1.9%
Asian: 0.0%
In-State Students: 58.2%
Pell Grant Recipients: 48.0%

Location

Crowley's Ridge College sits in Paragould, Arkansas, a small city about 90 miles northwest of Memphis, Tennessee. The school serves 162 students in Arkansas's rural northeast corner, where cotton fields and farmland stretch between small towns. Paragould itself has about 28,000 residents and serves as a regional center for this agricultural area. The campus sits in what the government classifies as a "rural-fringe" setting, meaning it's close enough to larger communities for resources but still maintains a small-town feel. With 58% of students coming from Arkansas, many are familiar with this kind of close-knit rural environment. Students considering colleges in Arkansas may also compare Crowley's Ridge College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Paragould, Arkansas 72450

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $39,533
Median Earnings (5 years): $42,506
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $24,200
Loan Repayment Rate: 52.7%
Monthly Loan Payment: $278/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $26,228

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Crowley's Ridge College?

Crowley's Ridge College does not publish specific acceptance rate data, but as a small private Christian college with only 162 students, it likely maintains selective admissions standards. The school serves primarily Arkansas students, with 58% of enrolled students coming from in-state.

How much does Crowley's Ridge College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $17,236 after financial aid at Crowley's Ridge College. The college charges $16,440 for tuition regardless of residency status, and 48% of students receive federal Pell Grants indicating significant financial need.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Crowley's Ridge College?

Crowley's Ridge College maintains a 9:1 student-faculty ratio, providing intimate classroom settings typical of small Christian colleges. The college operates on a semester system and emphasizes personalized attention within its Churches of Christ educational mission.

What are the graduation rates at Crowley's Ridge College?

Only 26% of students graduate within six years from Crowley's Ridge College, with a four-year graduation rate of 29%. Graduates earn a median salary of $39,533 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the college's focus on practical career preparation rather than high-earning fields.

Where do students live at Crowley's Ridge College?

The college provides housing for up to 149 students on its rural Arkansas campus near Paragould. Room and board costs $7,900 annually, and the small residential community fosters close relationships among the 162 total enrolled students.

Does Crowley's Ridge College offer athletic scholarships?

Crowley's Ridge College awarded $368,758 in athletic scholarships across its eight NAIA varsity sports programs. The Pioneers field 115 student-athletes, meaning athletics scholarships support a significant portion of the college's small student body.