A surprising amount of people are interested in finding colleges in Texarkana. However, one issue with this search is, which Texarkana do people mean? This question arises because the Texarkana metropolitan area spreads across Arkansas and Texas, resulting in there being a Texarkana, Arkansas, and a Texarkana, Texas. Either way, people want to know what the best colleges in Texarkana are and BrokeScholar is here to help provide some answers.
Utilizing data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), we analyzed colleges in both Texarkana, Arkansas, and Texarkana, Texas, in order to identify the best colleges in Texarkana. As a result of our research, it turns out that most colleges in Texarkana are associate degree-colleges. But this doesn’t mean they don’t offer solid academics or vocational education.
Read on to find out the best colleges in Texarkana.
Best Colleges in Texarkana, Arkansas
When it comes to colleges in Texarkana, Arkansas, proper, there is one school — the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope. Here’s a look at this particular school in Texarkana, Arkansas:
University of Arkansas Community College at Hope – Texarkana
2-year, public institution
Types of degrees:
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Less than one-year certificate
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One but less than two years certificate
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Associate degree
The University of Arkansas Community College at Hope, though a two-year college, provides an impressive array of courses that students can take. The college’s 2022-2023 course descriptions span a wide variety of subjects that you wouldn’t likely find at a typical four-year public college. There are numerous courses in accounting, business management, computer and information technology, chemistry, economics, education and early childhood development, and liberal arts. At the same time, the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope offers a large suite of courses in vocational subjects that are incredibly interesting: emergency medical technician studies; electricity and electrical wiring, licensing and code requirements, residential and commercial applications of electricity; a full program in diesel engines and all aspects of their function and maintenance; courses covering the intricacies of HVAC systems; and, my personal favorite, bladesmithing and studies in metalworking.
Thus, the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope provides education in both vocational studies as well as in liberal arts and the sciences. For a two-year public college, the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope is impressive in its scope and is definitely one of the best colleges in Texarkana.
Best Colleges in Texarkana, Texas
Now we come to the best colleges in Texarkana, Texas. Here, there are several colleges to attend, including a branch of Texas A&M. Let’s take a look at the best colleges in Texarkana, Texas:
Texarkana College
2-year, public institution
Types of degrees:
-
Less than one-year certificate
-
One but less than two years certificate
-
Associate degree
As advertised on their website, Texarkana College is both a great place to “Start or Start Over.” As a two-year public college, Texarkana College offers both academics and technical, vocational training, and everything in between. Some of Texarkana College’s most popular programs include nursing, welding, cosmetology, general studies, and fine and studio arts. Texarkana College has an entire program committed to that ever-increasingly popular subject, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Texarkana College’s STEM division offers programs in biology, chemistry, engineering and physics, mathematics, and health sciences. Liberal and performing arts are also well-represented at Texarkana College, with programs in fine and studio art, general studies, journalism and mass communications, and music.
With such a wide variety of programs to pursue, Texarkana College is easily one of the best colleges in Texarkana, Texas.
Texas A&M University-Texarkana
4-year, public institution
Types of degrees:
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Bachelor's degree
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Master's degree
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Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Texas A&M University – Texarkana is the only four-year college in Texarkana, Texas. Its student population is just a bit over 2,000, and being a four-year college, it offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The programs offered on the undergraduate and graduate level are equally impressive in their scope. There are bachelor’s degrees in many fields of science, including applied arts and sciences, biology, chemistry, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science. There are bachelor’s degrees in humanities and liberal arts like education, English, history, political science, as well as fields of study in business, such as accounting and business administration.
On the graduate level, you can earn a master’s or doctoral degree in liberal arts fields such as history, communication, and English. There’s also exclusively graduate programs like degrees in school counseling, instructional technology, education leadership, psychiatric mental health and nurse practitioner program, nursing, and more.
With all these undergraduate and graduate programs offered, Texas A&M University – Texarkana is definitely one of the best colleges in Texarkana.
Tonsorial Arts Barber College
< 2-year, private for-profit institution
Types of degrees:
-
One but less than two years certificate
This school — the Tonsorial Arts Barber College — is definitely a vocational college. The two chief programs offered at this Texarkana college include one in barber studies and one in cosmetology. The barber program begins with a freshman year course in Orientation to Barbering; sophomore year is dedicated to the Science of Barbering; junior year is focused on Advanced Barbering Services; and senior year is focused on winding up studies and honing your skills to prepare for the state board practical exam in barbering. The program in cosmetology is similarly organized. Freshman year is focused on Orientation to Cosmetology; sophomore year is dedicated to Cosmetology Foundational Skills; junior year provides students with knowledge of Advanced Cosmetology Services; and finally senior year is focused on wrapping up and sharpening cosmetology skills in order to prepare for the state board exams.
The Tonsorial Arts Barber College, you should note, is a for-profit college. This fact, however, does not prevent it from being one of the best colleges in Texarkana.
The Bottom Line on Colleges in Texarkana
The Texarkana metro area is home to nearly 150,000 people, and yet is located in the northeastern corner of Texas and southwestern corner of Arkansas. This makes it fairly remote from major cities in both states, hence the reason why there’s a good amount of interest in finding colleges in Texarkana. Many of these colleges in Texarkana accept scholarships, so it’s worth checking out BrokeScholar’s library of scholarships and grants if you’re interested in any of these schools. What’s great about all these colleges in Texarkana is that they are quite affordable when compared to the national average cost of college, so you can get a great bang for your buck.