SEARK College vs. NWACC

Comparable Facts

Compare Southeast Arkansas College in Pine Bluff, AR with NorthWest Arkansas Community College in Bentonville, AR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

NorthWest Arkansas Community College is larger than SEARK College based on total student enrollment (8,412 students vs. 916 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southeast Arkansas College is located in Pine Bluff, AR (Small City setting); NorthWest Arkansas Community College is in Bentonville, AR (Small City setting).
• Southeast Arkansas College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. NorthWest Arkansas Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southeast Arkansas College 8:1; NorthWest Arkansas Community College 13:1.

SEARK College vs. NWACC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SEARK College or NWACC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at NorthWest Arkansas Community College than SEARK College ($7,329 vs. $19,096).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at NorthWest Arkansas Community College are 20.4% lower than at Southeast Arkansas College ($9,000 vs. $11,300).
• Southeast Arkansas College is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NWACC (about $274 more per year; $5,200.00 vs. $4,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.1% higher at SEARK College than at NorthWest Arkansas Community College (about $3,412 more per year; $8,650.00 vs. $5,238.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southeast Arkansas College than at NorthWest Arkansas Community College (93% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by NorthWest Arkansas Community College students is 24.2% larger than aid received by Southeast Arkansas College students ($4,541 vs. $3,657).

SEARK College vs. NWACC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SEARK College or NWACC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between NWACC and SEARK College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SEARK College - Open admission; NWACC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: SEARK College Jun 1, 2027.

SEARK College vs. NWACC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SEARK College and NWACC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from NorthWest Arkansas Community College earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than SEARK College graduates about ten years after starting college ($36,500 vs. $29,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southeast Arkansas College graduates have a $6,861 lower median loan debt than NWACC graduates ($6,889 vs. $13,750).
• Among borrowers, SEARK College graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NWACC graduates ($71 vs. $142).
• More NWACC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SEARK College students, three years after graduation. (40% vs. 33%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.