Career Training Path › Arkansas › National Park College
National Park College
Hot Springs, Arkansas · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 101 College Dr, Hot Springs, AR 71913 · Phone: (501) 760-4222 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
National Park College is a public trade school in Hot Springs, Arkansas offering auto mechanic, welding, and EMT & paramedic training, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
National Park College has a 35.1% completion rate versus a 57.3% state average, with median graduate debt of $10,500 and median earnings of $32,444 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and 48.0% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $30,320 | $44,160 | $57,910 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $37,380 | $47,970 | $55,280 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $28,370 | $36,230 | $41,670 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $44,670 | $56,620 | $61,220 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $46,810 | $63,640 | $78,480 |
| Medical records specialists | $33,920 | $41,740 | $51,440 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Arkansas (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 98 | $24,236 | $28,598 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 71 | not reported | not reported | $5,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 22 | $40,142 | $36,312 | $9,460 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 15 | $24,236 | $28,598 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 10 | $39,851 | $45,696 | $9,806 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | $24,236 | $28,598 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | $5,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | $24,236 | $28,598 | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | $28,960 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 1 | $39,851 | $45,696 | $9,806 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
National Park College is a public trade and career school in Hot Springs, Arkansas, operating under Title IV federal financial aid rules, meaning students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants to help pay for enrollment. The campus holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, along with program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Its most-awarded trade programs are auto mechanic schools, welding schools, and EMT & paramedic training, alongside offerings in LPN programs, radiology tech programs, and medical billing and coding, across 13 program families total.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 35.1%, which is below the state average of 57.3%. Graduates carry a median debt of $10,500, and median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $32,444. About 48.0% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of low-income enrollment. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With 284 trade completers among 1,789 undergraduates in a small suburb setting, this campus may suit students seeking hands-on, program-specific training in fields like auto mechanics, welding, or emergency medical services rather than a traditional four-year path. Career changers should weigh the below-average completion rate against the relatively low debt load reported. Prospective students can verify accreditation status directly with the Higher Learning Commission and review official outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
National Park College offers 13 program families, with the most-awarded being auto mechanic schools, welding schools, and EMT & paramedic training. It also offers LPN programs, radiology tech programs, and medical billing and coding.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, National Park College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used here.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 35.1%, which is below the Arkansas state average of 57.3%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt for graduates is reported at $10,500.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $32,444.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
National Park College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and Title IV aid eligibility, as confirmed here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the available data; contact the school at (501) 760-4222 or visit np.edu to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and review official federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?106980.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not report program lengths or scheduling formats, so fit for career changers cannot be confirmed from federal data alone; contact the school directly to ask about program pacing.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school to learn what credentials, such as EMT certification, apply to each program.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach National Park College at (501) 760-4222 or through its website, https://www.np.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Federal data for this listing does not include comparisons with other nearby schools; check the College Scorecard to compare outcomes across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Arkansas
- Hot Springs Beauty CollegeHot Springs, AR · 48% completion
- Unique Services LogisticsHot Springs, AR
- University of Arkansas Community College Rich MountainMena, AR · 55% completion
- Arkansas Trucking AcademyMena, AR
- Jack Meredith TruckingRoyal, AR
- Black River Technical CollegePocahontas, AR · 55% completion
- Arkansas State University-NewportNewport, AR · 46% completion
- University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical CollegeNorth Little Rock, AR · 36% completion
See all trade and career schools in Arkansas or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.