Weatherford College

What Is It Known For?

In 1869, the Phoenix Masonic Lodge created what would become the oldest continuously operating public community college on the western side of the Mississippi River.

The Masons of Texas had long supported youth education in Parker County, leading them to construct a two-story brick building that served both lodge meetings and classroom instruction. Financial struggles, however, plagued the institution throughout its early decades. It passed through different owners before settling as Weatherford College in 1889. The college celebrated 150 years of operation in 2019.

Today, over 7,000 students attend classes serving Parker, Wise, Hood, Palo Pinto, and Jack counties.

Degrees & Certifications

As a student at Weatherford College, you’ll have access to over 50 associate degrees and certificates, plus five bachelor’s degree programs across different completion timeframes.

Your program options include:

  • Accounting
  • Cosmetology
  • Logistics
  • Information Systems
  • Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC)
  • Government (Political Science), and more.

Class Schedules

Morning, afternoon, and evening sessions at Weatherford College work for different schedules. Learning happens through in-person classes, fully online courses, or hybrid formats.

Career and technical programs incorporate clinical internships/externships where necessary. Those placements put you directly in professional environments, letting you apply classroom knowledge while building workplace skills before graduation.

Is It a Good School?

Yes. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accredits Weatherford College of the Parker County Junior College District. The school is approved to award both associate and baccalaureate degrees.

Details on program-specific accreditation can be found on the school’s website.

Acceptance Rate

Weatherford College has a 100% acceptance rate for standard admission. Its open enrollment policy means it accepts everyone holding a high school diploma, HiSET, or GED certificate.

Some programs, however, require additional application requirements, so contact the school or visit their website to confirm.

How Much Does Tuition Cost?

Tuition rates at Weatherford College depend on your residency status:

  • In-District: $125
  • Out-of-District Wise County: $162
  • Out-of-District: $220
  • Out-of-State: $312

The net price calculator helps you see what your actual costs might look like after considering financial aid possibilities.

You can also contact the school for more information on tuition and fees.

Programs & Courses

Business

  • Accounting
  • Bookkeeping & QuickBooks
  • Business Administration

Criminal Justice & Law

  • Criminal Justice

Professional Services

  • Barber Class A Crossover
  • Cosmetology
  • Culinary Arts

Healthcare

  • Cardiovascular Sonography
  • Clinical Medical Assistant (CMA)
  • Computed Tomography
  • CPR-Basic Life Support
  • Dental Assistant
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • Electrocardiography (EKG) Technician
  • Emergency Medical Services
  • Mammography
  • Medical Laboratory Technology
  • Nurse Aide (CNA)
  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Paramedic
  • Patient Care Technician
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Phlebotomy Technology
  • Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Radiologic Technology
  • Respiratory Care
  • RN-to-BSN
  • Veterinary Technology

Skilled Trades

  • Automotive Technologies
  • Fire Services Administration
  • Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC)
  • Logistics
  • Machining/Computer Numerical Control (CNC)
  • Welding

Technology

  • Computer Aided Design/Drafting (CADD)
  • Computer Science
  • Cybersecurity
  • Database Programming
  • Information Systems
  • Web Development

Campus Locations

Weatherford 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX 76086

Bridgeport 5180 Hwy 380 Bridgeport, TX 76426

Reviews

Based on reviews in Google, Weatherford College (WC) is a highly affordable public junior college and the “best higher educational value in Texas,” praised for its caring faculty, fantastic facilities, and strong arts/vocational programs. However, its reputation is significantly undercut by widespread and serious complaints regarding the Financial Aid Office and inconsistent administrative services.

Overall Score: 4.2/5 Stars

Common Praises

Exceptional Value and Affordability: WC is consistently rated as providing the “best higher educational value in Texas,” making it possible to pay for an Associate’s degree while working part-time.

Caring and Professional Faculty: Professors are widely described as “kind,” “helpful,” and genuinely caring about their students’ success.

Strong Arts and Athletics: The college is praised for its fantastic, clean facilities, including a great gym. The Theatre/Performance arts and other specialized programs receive high marks for quality.

Supportive Community and Campus Feel: WC is often called a “small community college that truly cares,” where the campus is noted as “beautiful” and “cozy.”

Common Criticisms

Dysfunctional Financial Aid Office: This is the most prevalent and serious complaint. Students report the office is “TERRIBLE,” staff are rude and dismissive, and they frequently ignore contact regarding FAFSA and loan status, often leading to financial penalties.

Inconsistent Administration and Staff Rudeness: Beyond Financial Aid, other administrative staff were criticized for being unhelpful, rude, and providing inaccurate information to students.

Program-Specific Problems: The Law Enforcement program was specifically called out for being a poor choice, with a reported lack of study guides for cadets. The Nursing program’s point of contact was also described as having an extremely rude attitude.

Online/Technical Issues: One student reported persistent problems with the online learning system, noting they would “always get kicked off” or couldn’t log in for “hours and hours.”

Momentum

Weatherford College is currently experiencing record-breaking enrollment growth, solidifying its status as a top-value educational destination in North Texas. However, the consistent, serious complaints about the Financial Aid and broader administrative staff create a potential risk. If the support services can’t scale to match the college’s rapid growth and excellent academic offerings, student retention and satisfaction will likely suffer despite the strong academics.