Arkansas State University, Newport

What Arkansas State University, Newport does

Arkansas State University, Newport (ASUN) is a public two-year community college operating as a stand-alone institution within the Arkansas State University System, serving a 10-county region of Northeast Arkansas across three physical campuses — Newport (headquarters), Jonesboro, and Marked Tree — plus NC-SARA-approved online delivery. Founded in 1976 as White River Vocational Technical School, it gained stand-alone status in 2000 and was rebranded in 2018 as "The Aviators." The institution serves approximately 5,000 students annually across credit-bearing, non-credit, and adult-education programs and awards more than 1,200 credentials each year, with a 75% retention rate and a 12:1 student-to-instructor ratio.

ASUN's product portfolio spans three buckets: (1) Health Professions programs (Registered Nursing, Practical Nursing, Surgical Technology, Radiologic Technology, EMT, Phlebotomy, Patient Care Tech, CNA, Medication Assistant), (2) Applied Sciences programs (High Voltage Lineman, Advanced Manufacturing, Welding, Diesel Technology, Automotive Service, Industrial Maintenance, Agriculture Technology, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, Energy Control, Commercial Driver Training), and (3) General Education/Transfer pathways (Liberal Arts, Data Science, Business, Criminal Justice, Education, Pre-Health) with articulation agreements to the University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, and University of Central Arkansas. Supplemental offerings include Workforce Development training, an IGNITE Academy, Concurrent/Dual Enrollment, a Prison Education Program via Second Chance Pell, and Aviator Athletics (NJCAA men's basketball and women's softball, launched March 2023). The underlying technology stack is Canvas LMS for course delivery, a OneStop student portal integrating Canvas, Self-Service, and TouchNet payments, plus Tableau for institutional research. No AI/ML capabilities are present in the disclosed stack.

The revenue model is tuition-and-fee-based plus government appropriations: in-state tuition ranges from $143–$260 per credit hour (out-of-state adds ~$60/credit hour), with 84% of students receiving financial aid, health-professions books bundled into per-credit rates, and a $20/credit textbook rental program. Additional revenue streams include federal Pell/Title IV aid, state appropriations, the $7.7M federal grant (announced 2026-02-10) for a $19M nursing/health professions facility, a $250K Arkansas Division of Higher Education grant (2024-11-14), and workforce contract training. Distribution is omni-channel across campuses, online, high-school partnerships, and a prison education channel; pricing is transparently published and competitively positioned as the most affordable higher-ed option in its rural service area. ASUN operates under a zero-based budgeting model adopted in 2015 and is governed by the ASU System Board of Trustees with a Chancellor (currently interim, Ike Wheeler) who succeeded Dr. Johnny M. Moore, the institution's third chancellor (2021).

Name

Arkansas State University, Newport

Legal name

Arkansas State University Newport

Website

http://www.asun.edu/

Company type

Public

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ASUN is a public two-year community college within the Arkansas State University System, operating three campuses and online programs in Northeast Arkansas to deliver affordable health-professions, applied-sciences, and transfer-track credentials to roughly 5,000 students annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community College Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (61121)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)

Keywords

• Community college education
• Workforce training programs
• Health professions degrees
• Technical certificate programs
• Transfer degree pathways

Headquarters

HQ city

Newport

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: ASUN generates primary revenue through tuition and fees charged to students. In-state tuition ranges from $143-$260 per credit hour depending on program; out-of-state tuition ranges from $203-$320 per credit hour. Additional fees include lab fees ($35 per course) and online fees ($25 per credit hour).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Arkansas State University-Newport (ASUN) is a public two-year community college delivering associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce credentials across Health Professions (nursing, surgical technology, radiologic technology, EMT), Applied Sciences (high voltage lineman, advanced manufacturing, welding, diesel, automotive, cosmetology, culinary arts), and General Education/Transfer programs (liberal arts, business, criminal justice, data science). It serves over 5,000 students annually through three physical campuses in Northeast Arkansas plus online and high school dual enrollment channels.

Product overview

Arkansas State University-Newport (ASUN) is a community college offering accessible, affordable higher education across three campuses (Newport, Jonesboro, Marked Tree) plus online programs. The institution provides a comprehensive portfolio of educational products organized into Health Professions Programs (nursing, surgical technology, radiologic technology, and allied health credentials), Applied Sciences Programs (high voltage lineman, advanced manufacturing, welding, diesel, automotive, cosmetology, culinary arts, and trades), and General Education/Transfer Programs (data science, liberal arts, business, criminal justice, and pre-health pathways). Additional offerings include Workforce Development Training, Prison Education Programs through McPherson/Grimes, Concurrent & Dual Enrollment for high school students, IGNITE Academy, Summer & Winter Sessions, and Aviator Athletics. Student support is delivered through Canvas LMS, OneStop portal, TouchNet payments, and services like tutoring, career services, and The Pantry food assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Health Professions Programs Comprehensive health sciences education including Registered Nursing (RN, LPN, Traditional Pathway), Surgical Technology, Radiologic Technology, EMT, Patient Care Tech, Phlebotomy, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Medication Assistant programs leading to certificates and associate degrees for students pursuing healthcare careers.
• Applied Sciences Programs Career-focused technical programs including High Voltage Lineman Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture Technology, Automotive Service Technology, Diesel Technology, Welding, Industrial Maintenance, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Energy Control Technology, and Commercial Driver Training leading to certificates and associate degrees.
• General Education and Transfer Programs University-parallel associate degrees in Data Science, Liberal Arts, Natural Sciences, Business, Criminal Justice, Education, and PreHealth Professions designed for seamless transfer to four-year institutions including University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, and University of Central Arkansas.
• Workforce Development Training Short-term professional training, industry certifications, and continuing education courses designed for adult learners and career advancement, available across all three campuses and in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services.
• Prison Education Program (McPherson/Grimes) Educational programs for incarcerated individuals offered in partnership with the Second Chance Pell federal program, including General Education, Welding, and Energy Control Technology vocational training at McPherson and Grimes units.
• Concurrent and Dual Enrollment College credit programs for high school students including Concurrent Enrollment (courses taught at high schools by high school faculty) and Dual Enrollment (courses taught at ASUN campuses by college instructors), eligible for the ADHE Concurrent Challenge Scholarship.
• Summer and Winter Sessions Accelerated academic terms offering online and in-person courses for visiting students and degree-seeking students to earn transferable college credits during summer intersession, Summer I, Summer II, and winter terms; courses designed for transfer to public colleges in Arkansas.
• IGNITE Academy High school completion program where students earn workforce-ready credentials while completing their high school diplomas, taught by ASUN faculty at the Newport campus with tuition and textbook coverage included.
• Aviator Athletics Intercollegiate athletics program offering men's basketball and women's softball, competing in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), serving ASUN's residential and commuter student population.

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% of students receive financial aid
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ASU System Board of TrusteescoreOthers · 10 February 2026Federal funding recipient ($7.7M) for nursing and health professionals facility. Construction pending ASU System Board of Trustees approval.
• Second Chance Pell ProgramcoreOthers · 1 January 2016Federal program allowing incarcerated individuals to receive Pell Grants for vocational training. ASUN launched IGNITE Academy and joined this program in 2016.
• University of ArkansasminorOthersTransfer partner accepting ASUN summer credits. Courses designed for transfer to public colleges in Arkansas.
• Arkansas State UniversityminorOthersTransfer partner accepting ASUN summer credits. ASUN is a separate institution within the ASU System.
• University of Central ArkansasminorOthersTransfer partner accepting ASUN summer credits for general education courses.
• Arkansas Department of Higher EducationcoreOthersADHE Concurrent Challenge Scholarship available to concurrent and dual enrollment students. Also provides comprehensive reports and economic security data.
• Food Bank of Northeast ArkansascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership providing food resources to supplement ASUN Pantry stock. Partnership allows ASUN to provide monthly usage reports to the food bank.
• Phi Theta KappaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHonor society partnership supporting Blessing Box initiative at Jonesboro campus.
• Arkansas Department of Workforce ServicesminorOthersRegular campus visits and workforce referral services for students. Jonesboro campus hosts workforce services outreach.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Arkansas State University - Beebe: ASUB is the original merger partner of ASUN (1992) and a fellow ASU System two-year college offering technical, health, and general education transfer programs. Highly comparable in governance and program portfolio.
• University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville: UACCB is a University of Arkansas System two-year college offering associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce training in North Central Arkansas. Directly comparable in mission, scale, and program mix.
• Ozarka College: Ozarka is a public two-year college serving rural North Central Arkansas with technical and academic transfer programs, including health occupations. Comparable as a small rural Arkansas community college with overlapping workforce training mission.
• Arkansas State University - Mountain Home: ASUMH is a sister two-year campus within the ASU System offering similar associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce programs in North Central Arkansas. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and program mix.
• Black River Technical College: BRTC is a public two-year college serving Northeast Arkansas with similar technical, health, and general education transfer programs. Directly comparable as a regional community college competitor in the same labor market.

Regional players

• National Park College: National Park College is a public two-year college in Hot Springs, Arkansas offering health sciences, technical, and general education programs. Comparable as a rural Arkansas community college with similar health workforce focus.
• Southeast Arkansas College: SEARK is a public two-year college in Pine Bluff, Arkansas offering associate degrees and workforce training. Comparable in mission and program portfolio but serves the Southeast Arkansas region.
• South Arkansas Community College: SouthArk is a public two-year college in El Dorado, Arkansas offering associate degrees and technical certificates. Comparable in program mix and scale but serves the southern portion of the state.
• NorthWest Arkansas Community College: NWACC is a larger Arkansas community college in Bentonville serving a different (Northwest) region of the state. Comparable in program portfolio but serves a higher-growth metropolitan market rather than rural Northeast Arkansas.

Broad incumbents

• Arkansas State University: ASU is the parent four-year institution within the Arkansas State University System and accepts ASUN transfer credits. Directly comparable as a transfer pathway partner and overlapping service geography in Northeast Arkansas.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ASUNewport
• YouTubeyoutube.com/asunewport
• Facebookfacebook.com/Arkansas-State-University-Newport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/asunewport
• Instagraminstagram.com/asunewport/?hl=en

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arkansas State University, Newport