At $5,719/yr net price, NorthWest Arkansas Community College graduates earn $43,505/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,505/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,719 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $22,876 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,505/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,505/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 27.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,506 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,080/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,729/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,432/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,260/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,240/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $50,356 | $13,938 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $41,937 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $36,848 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $33,993 | $10,374 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Associate | $28,598 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,615 | $8,000 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $20,140 |
The Risk Factor
27.3% of students at NorthWest Arkansas Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
NorthWest Arkansas Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with a modest but real payoff. You borrow little,median debt sits under $10,000,and net price runs below $6,000 a year, so the downside risk here is small even if your earnings land at the median.
Nursing is the clear winner. The associate nursing program pays around $50,000 ten years out, roughly $14,000 more per year than the computer and information sciences associate. That gap is worth the extra nursing debt, which is the highest on this list. Allied health also clears $40,000. If you enroll in Design and Applied Arts, expect the weakest return,under $29,000,which barely beats the school-wide median and leaves little room to justify time away from work.
The biggest risk is finishing. Only 27% of students graduate. A credential you never complete gives you debt and lost wages with no degree to show for it, and that risk applies to every program here regardless of its earnings figure. Bentonville's job market, anchored by nearby healthcare and retail employers, rewards the nursing and allied health tracks most directly.
If you come from a family earning under $48,000, you pay under $5,000 a year here, and pairing that price with nursing or allied health is a strong bet. If your family earns over $110,000, your net price more than doubles to about $10,000, which still stays affordable but shrinks the discount that makes this school attractive.
This is a good financial fit if you plan to enter nursing or allied health and can commit to finishing. If your interest is design, or you're unsure you'll complete a program, the low sticker price won't rescue a degree that doesn't pay or a credential you don't earn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NorthWest Arkansas Community College worth the cost?
At $5,719 per year with median earnings of $43,505 after 10 years, NorthWest Arkansas Community College offers reasonable value for a two-year degree. The low cost and manageable debt of $9,506 make it financially accessible, though the 27% graduation rate is concerning.
What are the highest paying programs at NorthWest Arkansas Community College?
Registered Nursing leads at $50,356 annually, followed by Allied Health programs at $41,937. Computer Science graduates earn $36,848, while Business and Design programs pay significantly less at $33,993 and $28,598 respectively.
How much debt do NorthWest Arkansas Community College graduates have?
Graduates typically leave with $9,506 in debt, which is manageable given the low annual cost of $5,719. This debt level is reasonable for most career outcomes, especially in nursing and allied health fields.
What is the graduation rate at NorthWest Arkansas Community College?
Only 27% of students graduate, which is low even for community colleges. This means many students leave without completing their programs, potentially limiting their earning potential and career advancement.