Career Training Path › Arkansas › Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
Helena, Arkansas · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 1000 Campus Drive, Helena, AR 72342 · Phone: (870) 338-6474 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas is a public trade school in Helena, AR offering CDL, welding, and HVAC training, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Phillips Community College's completion rate is 54.7%, near the Arkansas state average of 57.3%, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $29,552, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid, and about 34.4% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $36,770 | $51,550 | $69,700 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $37,380 | $47,970 | $55,280 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $37,040 | $48,110 | $59,760 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,920 | $28,830 | $33,730 |
| Medical records specialists | $33,920 | $41,740 | $51,440 |
| Phlebotomists | $30,870 | $37,450 | $42,180 |
| Nursing assistants | $28,840 | $34,430 | $36,070 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 75 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 45 | $19,422 | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 22 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | $19,422 | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
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
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas is a public college campus located in Helena, Arkansas, a remote town setting. The school participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), so students who qualify can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to help cover costs. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and, for its nursing offerings, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Among its trade and career program families, the campus awards the most credentials in CDL / truck driving training, welding, and HVAC, alongside offerings in cosmetology, medical billing and coding, phlebotomy, and CNA training.
Federal data show a completion rate of 54.7%, which is near the Arkansas state average of 57.3%. Median earnings for graduates 10 years after entry are reported at $29,552. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data, and annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 34.4% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a substantial share of low-income enrollment.
With 174 trade program completers among 614 undergraduates, and a mix of short career-training certificates alongside longer programs, this campus may suit both recent high school graduates and adult career-changers, though program length details for each track are not reported here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the Higher Learning Commission or ACEN, and review the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for updated outcome figures before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Phillips Community College offers nine program families including CDL/truck driving, welding, HVAC, cosmetology, medical billing and coding, phlebotomy, and CNA classes. Its largest programs by completions are CDL training (75), welding (51), and HVAC (22).
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited. It holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and, for nursing programs, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, meaning students can apply for FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 54.7%, which is near the Arkansas state average of 57.3%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (870) 338-6474 or check the College Scorecard link for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $29,552 per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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 at (870) 338-6474 or visit pccua.edu for current tuition information.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public institution, which often means lower tuition for in-state residents compared to private for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the data provided. Contact the school directly to confirm program duration for a specific trade.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission or ACEN, and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?107619.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a mix of shorter career-training programs like CDL and phlebotomy alongside longer technical tracks, which may suit career changers, though specific scheduling and format details are not reported here.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported in the data provided; contact the school directly for details on trade-specific credentialing.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas at (870) 338-6474 or through its website, https://www.pccua.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data for nearby schools is not included here; check the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Arkansas
- East Arkansas Community CollegeForrest City, AR · 51% completion
- Arkansas State University Mid-SouthWest Memphis, AR · 58% completion
- Arkansas Northeastern CollegeBlytheville, AR · 49% completion
- Blytheville School District #5Blytheville, AR
- Forrest City School DistrictForrest City, AR
- PccuaHelena-West Helena, AR
- Black River Technical CollegePocahontas, AR · 55% completion
- Arkansas State University-NewportNewport, AR · 46% 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.