What Is It Known For?
Since 1974, Northark Technical Center has been a valuable part of North Arkansas College’s educational offerings. Located on the North Campus, this center opens doors for high school juniors and seniors to get a head start on their college journey. Students can earn college credits while still in high school, giving them a leg up on their future careers.
The center shines in its hands-on approach to learning. It offers a mix of programs, from technical degrees to short-term certificates. While exact enrollment numbers aren’t available, the center’s diverse offerings attract students of all ages and backgrounds.
This school serves area high schools in Boone, Baxter, Carroll, Madison, Madison, Marion, and Searcy counties.
Degrees & Certifications
Programs available to high school students at the Northark Technical Center include:
- Robotics & Manufacturing
- Automotive Service Technology
- Collision Repair Technology
- Construction Technology
- Health Professions
- HVAC/R Technology
- Outdoor Power Equipment
- Welding
Class Schedules
North Arkansas College offers a range of class schedules to accommodate students’ needs. Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are available, with night classes held on specific days of the week for adult learners depending on the campus. The college has also partnered with ed2go to provide a variety of interactive online courses.
For more information about externships or clinical experiences in specific programs, it’s best to contact the school directly.
Is It Legit?
Yes. Northark Technical Center is a legitimate institution. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Acceptance Rate
Northark Technical Center has an open admission policy. This means that any qualified applicants are admitted.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
At Northark Technical Center, students benefit from a tuition-free education experience. Local school districts cover all expenses, including books and fees, through a training fee, with additional support from the Arkansas Department of Career Education.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Accounting
- Banking
- Data Analytics
- Management
- Office Management
- Small Business Management
- Sports Management
Healthcare
- EMT
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Nursing Assistant
- LPN
- Paramedic
- Pre-Allied Health
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Radiologic Technology
- RN
- Surgical Technology
- Truck Driving
Professional Services
- Hospitality Management
- Supply Chain
Skilled Trades
- Automotive Service Tech
- Collision Repair
- Construction
- Facilities Maintenance
- HVAC
- Manufacturing Technology
- Outdoor Power Equipment
- Welding
Technology
- Information Technology
- Cybersecurity
Campus Locations
Harrison 1320 N Spring Rd Harrison, AR 72601
Berryville 804 W Freeman Berryville, AR 72616
South Campus 1515 Pioneer Dr Harrison, AR 72601
Reviews
Based on reviews in Google, Northark Technical Center (NTC), which is part of North Arkansas College (Northark), is consistently praised as an affordable, supportive, and effective institution, particularly for technical education and dual-enrollment for high school students. The available data on student satisfaction for the parent institution (Northark) is very strong, indicating a high level of overall student approval.
Overall Score: 4.2/5 Stars
Common Praises
Affordable and Free for High School Students: A major highlight is the affordability. The NTC is specifically noted as a tuition-free education for area high school juniors and seniors. Books, tuition, and fees are covered by local school districts and the Arkansas Department of Career Education. This financial benefit is a strong positive mentioned in student feedback on the broader college.
Supportive and Caring Faculty: Students consistently praise the teachers and staff at Northark for being “great,” “supportive,” “approachable,” and “genuinely invested” in student success. They are described as professional, helpful, and taking the time to ensure students understand the material.
Excellent Career and Technical Programs: The Technical Center is the specialized arm for high-demand fields and is known for its hands-on training in technical fields. Programs like General Construction Trades and Welding are among the most popular majors at the parent college, suggesting the NTC’s focus on skilled trades is well-regarded and popular.
Dual Enrollment/College Credit Opportunity: The primary mission of the NTC is to give high school students the unique opportunity to earn college credit (up to 30 hours), professional certifications, or a Certificate of Proficiency from North Arkansas College while still in high school. This is widely seen as a valuable head start on their careers and college journey.
Strong Administration and Resources: The college’s application process is described as a “breeze,” and advisors are noted as being “always available” and helpful. The college also offers helpful resources, such as being able to rent a laptop from the Resource Center.
High Recommendation Rate: The overwhelmingly high recommendation rate from the internal student satisfaction survey (97%) speaks to a generally positive learning environment.
Common Criticisms
Limited Campus Life/Location: Some students describe the city of Harrison as “kind of boring” and note that while the college has some events and clubs, campus life is not a huge factor, and the campus itself is “a bit small.”
Need for Diversity: One review mentioned that diversity is an area the school “could work on.”
Software and Food Options: Minor criticisms included a desire for better software and, based on the internal satisfaction survey, an improvement in the food options on campus.
Focus on Trades/Transfer: One student noted that the school is “not the best” because “It’s mostly trades and transfer degrees,” which is less a criticism and more a statement of the college’s core mission as a community and technical college.
Momentum
The overall momentum for Northark Technical Center (NTC), and its parent institution North Arkansas College, remains significantly positive, underpinned by a high student recommendation rate (97%) and recent national recognition for its technical programs, such as the IT degree being ranked in the Top 25. While the specific negative review regarding the auto repair class is a point of concern that requires attention, the general trend in recent feedback continues to highlight supportive faculty, valuable hands-on technical training, and the immense value of the tuition-free college credit program for high schoolers, suggesting a strong and sustained positive direction.