Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at NorthWest Arkansas Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
NorthWest Arkansas Community College delivers the state's strongest return in health sciences certificates, with graduates earning $52,580 their first year—nearly $13,000 above Arkansas's median for similar programs and outperforming 95% of health sciences certificate programs nationwide. This isn't marginal outperformance: the program's earnings match what students at the state's next-best school (East Arkansas Community College) achieve, but NorthWest Arkansas sits in a region with robust healthcare demand tied to Walmart's headquarters and the broader Northwest Arkansas corridor. Only East Arkansas comes close to these numbers among the state's 19 programs.
The debt picture strengthens the case considerably. At $14,381, graduates owe slightly more than Arkansas's typical health sciences certificate student, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27 means students can feasibly pay this off in months, not years. This is textbook manageable debt for the income level—you're borrowing less than three months of salary.
For families in Arkansas weighing health sciences certificates, this program offers uncommon value. The combination of top-tier state earnings, strong national performance, and minimal debt makes it a clear standout. The moderate sample size suggests stable outcomes rather than outliers, and the school's 20% Pell population indicates reasonable accessibility. This is the benchmark other Arkansas health sciences programs should meet.
Where NorthWest Arkansas Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health services/allied health/health sciences certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How NorthWest Arkansas Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
NorthWest Arkansas Community College graduates earn $53k, placing them in the 95th percentile of all health services/allied health/health sciences certificate programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Arkansas
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences certificate's programs at peer institutions in Arkansas (19 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NorthWest Arkansas Community College | $52,580 | — | $14,381 | 0.27 |
| East Arkansas Community College | $51,751 | $32,494 | $8,500 | 0.16 |
| Black River Technical College | $39,602 | — | $13,064 | 0.33 |
| North Arkansas College | $33,196 | $46,368 | — | — |
| Arkansas State University-Mountain Home | $28,102 | $29,078 | — | — |
| National Median | $33,196 | — | $13,833 | 0.42 |
Other Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences Programs in Arkansas
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Arkansas schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Arkansas Community College Forrest City | $3,960 | $51,751 | $8,500 |
| Black River Technical College Pocahontas | $4,584 | $39,602 | $13,064 |
| North Arkansas College Harrison | $3,168 | $33,196 | — |
| Arkansas State University-Mountain Home Mountain Home | $3,168 | $28,102 | — |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At NorthWest Arkansas Community College, approximately 20% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 93 graduates with reported earnings and 132 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.