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South Arkansas College
El Dorado, Arkansas · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 300 S West Ave, El Dorado, AR 71731 · Phone: (870) 862-8131 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
South Arkansas College is a public trade school in El Dorado, Arkansas offering welding, EMT/paramedic training, and LPN programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
South Arkansas College has a 30.2% completion rate versus a 57.3% state average, with median graduate debt of $11,153 and median earnings of $34,521 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for South Arkansas College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, can be used, and 41.1% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $30,320 | $44,160 | $57,910 |
| Phlebotomists | $30,870 | $37,450 | $42,180 |
| Medical assistants | $30,840 | $37,760 | $42,900 |
| Nursing assistants | $28,840 | $34,430 | $36,070 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $46,810 | $63,640 | $78,480 |
| Surgical technologists | $38,750 | $57,400 | $63,400 |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, under 300 hours | 137 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 47 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 46 | $34,943 | not reported | $7,989 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 24 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 23 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 16 | not reported | $31,314 | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 11 | not reported | $52,107 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 11 | $34,943 | not reported | $7,989 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | $31,314 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 5 | not reported | $31,314 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | 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
South Arkansas College is a public trade and career training campus in El Dorado, Arkansas. The school participates in federal Title IV financial aid, so students can use FAFSA and Pell Grants to help pay for programs. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional program-specific accreditation from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education. Its most-awarded trade programs are welding, EMT and paramedic training, and LPN/LVN programs, part of a broader lineup of 15 program families including phlebotomy, medical assisting, CNA training, radiology technology, surgical technology, and medical billing and coding.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 30.2%, below the state average of 57.3%. Median debt among graduates is $11,153, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $34,521. About 41.1% 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.
This campus, located in a remote town setting, may suit students seeking short, hands-on trade credentials such as welding or EMT training, though program lengths for specific tracks are not detailed here. Career changers should weigh the below-average completion rate against the program mix available. Prospective students can verify accreditation status and review updated outcome data directly through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard or by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
South Arkansas College offers 15 program families, most notably welding, EMT and paramedic training, and LPN/LVN programs, alongside phlebotomy, medical assisting, CNA training, radiology technology, surgical technology, and medical billing and coding.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, South Arkansas College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with program-specific accreditation from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 30.2%, which is below the state average of 57.3%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $11,153, per federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $34,521, per federal Scorecard data.
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) 862-8131 or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
South Arkansas College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition rates for in-state residents compared to private for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the data provided; contact the school to confirm program duration for individual tracks like welding or EMT training.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and review detailed outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?107974.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The program mix includes shorter, hands-on trade tracks like welding and EMT training, which may suit career changers, though specific program lengths and adult-learner accommodations are not detailed in the available data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements vary by program and are not detailed in this data; contact the school directly to learn what credentials, such as EMT or LPN licensure, apply to a specific program.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach South Arkansas College at (870) 862-8131 or through its website at https://www.southark.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across similar institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Arkansas
- University of Aesthetics & CosmetologyEl Dorado, AR · 50% completion
- South Arkansas CDL Consulting LLCEl Dorado, AR
- Southern Arkansas University TechCamden, AR · 62% completion
- 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
- Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville, AR · university
- NorthWest Arkansas Community CollegeBentonville, AR · 31% 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.