Ozarka College, Melbourne

What Ozarka College, Melbourne does

Ozarka College is a public two-year community college headquartered in Melbourne, Arkansas, serving the four-county north-central region of Fulton, Izard, Sharp, and Stone. Founded in 1975 as Ozarka Vocational-Technical School and renamed Ozarka College in 1999, the institution enrolls roughly 1,600 students per semester across associate-degree, technical-certificate, adult-education, and concurrent-enrollment programs. It operates three campuses (Melbourne, Ash Flat, Mountain View) plus an aviation training facility at Melbourne airport, and offers 20+ career-focused programs spanning allied health (RN, LPN, CNA, Surgical Technology, EMT), skilled trades (automotive, welding, machining, HVAC), aviation (FAA Part 141 Professional Pilot), agriculture, business, education, criminal justice, and culinary arts. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds multiple specialized program accreditations.

The institution is funded through a mix of state appropriations, federal financial aid, tuition and fees ($131/credit hour in-state, $231/credit hour out-of-state; aviation practicum fees of $16,000-$21,000 per course), supplemental revenue from community-facing services (Paul Miller Fitness Center memberships, continuing-education courses, adult-education programs), and philanthropic support via the Ozarka College Foundation (501(c)(3) since 1991). Distribution is multi-channel: on-campus instruction, regional satellite campuses, online/distance learning, concurrent-enrollment partnerships with local high schools, and VA-approved programs including the Post-9/11 Yellow Ribbon Program. The 2024 launch of 'Ozarka Opportunity' consolidates federal, state, Foundation, and institutional scholarships into a debt-free pathway, reinforcing a community-led go-to-market model centered on open-door admissions, transfer articulation with Arkansas State University-Jonesboro and other four-year institutions, and active community engagement through events such as Kids College and GED graduation ceremonies.

Underlying technology is straightforward and non-proprietary: a myOzarka student portal for course management and records, commercial third-party platforms (Aztec Software, Essential Education) for adult-education distance learning, Kuder for career planning, and Google Meet/Calendar plus RSS feeds for communications and events. There is no evidence of proprietary software development or AI/ML capability. Strategic emphasis is on regional workforce development (particularly healthcare, aviation, skilled trades), affordability through scholarships and debt-free pathways, and pipeline-building via high-school dual enrollment and community programs.

Name

Ozarka College, Melbourne

Legal name

Ozarka College

Website

https://ozarka.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Ozarka College is a public community college in Melbourne, Arkansas, founded in 1975 and serving ~1,600 students per semester across Fulton, Izard, Sharp, and Stone counties. It offers associate degrees and technical certificates in allied health, trades, aviation, and other fields via three campuses and online.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community College Higher Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (61121), Junior Colleges (611210), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Community Colleges (EDAHADAA), Rural/Regional Community Colleges (EDAHADAK)

Keywords

• Community college education
• Associate degree programs
• Technical certificate training
• Workforce development programs
• Adult education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue stream from per-credit-hour tuition and fees. In-state tuition is $100/credit with additional mandatory fees totaling $31/credit. Total in-state cost: $131/credit hour. Out-of-state students pay $231/credit. Specialized programs (Aviation) have significant additional practicum fees ranging from $16,000 to $21,000 per course.
2. Aviation Flight Training Fees: The FAA Part 141-approved Aviation program generates substantial revenue through flight practicum fees for Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, and Multi-Engine ratings courses.
3. Fitness Center Memberships: Paul Miller Fitness Center offers enrollment options and membership pricing for students, staff, faculty, and community members seeking fitness and wellness programs.
4. Continuing Education: Non-credit continuing education courses scheduled throughout the year based on community interest and resource availability.
5. Adult Education Services: Adult Education program serving Fulton, Izard, and Stone Counties offering GED preparation, basic skills, college and career readiness, financial literacy, digital literacy, WAGE certification, and Ready for Work classes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ozarka College is a public community college providing associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce training across more than 20 programs including allied health, aviation, skilled trades, business, and education. The college serves approximately 1,600 students per semester at campuses in Melbourne, Ash Flat, and Mountain View, Arkansas, with offerings delivered on-campus, online, and through concurrent enrollment at partner high schools. It also operates adult education (GED preparation), continuing education, and the Ozarka Opportunity debt-free scholarship pathway.

Product overview

Ozarka College is a comprehensive community college offering a unified portfolio of academic programs and student support services. The institution provides 20+ career-focused academic programs including associate degrees (AS, AAS) and technical certificates across health professions (RN, LPN, CNA, Surgical Technology, EMT), trades (Automotive, Welding, Machining, Skilled Trades), aviation, business, education, and agriculture. Students may also pursue GED completion through Adult Education or earn college credit while still in high school via Concurrent/Dual Enrollment. The college operates multiple campuses (Melbourne main campus, Ash Flat, Mountain View) plus online and distance learning options, with student support services including the Paul Weaver Library, Paul Miller Fitness Center, Student Success Center (tutoring/career services), TRIO program, and Career Pathways assistance. Financial support is available through the Ozarka Opportunity debt-free pathway and various federal/state scholarship programs. The institution is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission with specialized program accreditations from ACF, NATEF, CAAHEP, and state nursing boards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aviation - Commercial Pilot Program FAA Part 141 approved program preparing students for Private, Instrument, Commercial, and Multi-Engine Airplane certifications with pathway to Restricted ATP certification. Delivered at the Ozarka Aviation facility at Melbourne airport.
• Agriculture Program Associate of Science degree in Agriculture with transfer pathway to Arkansas State University-Jonesboro for Ag Education, Ag Business, or Animal Production majors.
• Automotive Service Technology Program Associate of Applied Science degree and technical certificates in automotive servicing, with NATEF accreditation for automotive technician training.
• Business Program Associate of Science degree designed for transfer to four-year universities in Arkansas for continued business education.
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Program Certificate program approved by Arkansas Department of Human Services preparing students for state certification as Nursing Assistant.
• Criminal Justice and Corrections Program Associate of Science degree with transfer pathway to Arkansas State University for criminology baccalaureate degree.
• Culinary Arts Program ACF-accredited culinary program with ACF certification preparation for students pursuing culinary careers.
• Early Childhood Development Program Education program for students pursuing careers in early childhood education and development.
• Education Program Teacher education pathway preparing students for careers in K-12 education.
• Emergency Medical Technology (EMT) Program EMT program approved by Arkansas Department of Health for emergency medical services certification.
• General Studies Program Flexible associate degree program allowing students to explore multiple disciplines before selecting a major.
• Health Information Technology Program Associate degree program preparing students for careers in health information management systems.
• Health Professions Program Gateway program for students pursuing various health-related career pathways including nursing and allied health.
• Information Science Technology Program Technology program covering computer information systems, programming, and IT fundamentals.
• Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Program Practical nursing program approved by Arkansas State Board of Nursing with selective admission criteria.
• Machining Program Technical program in precision machining and manufacturing technologies.
• Registered Nursing (RN) Program Associate degree nursing program approved by Arkansas State Board of Nursing with selective admission criteria.
• Skilled Trades Program Technical certificates and programs covering HVAC, electrical, and other skilled trade occupations.
• Surgical Technology Program CAAHEP-accredited program preparing students for surgical technology certification and operating room careers.
• Welding Technology Program Technical certificate program in welding technologies and fabrication.
• Adult Education Program GED preparation, basic skills instruction, college and career readiness, financial literacy, digital literacy, and WAGE certification serving Fulton, Izard, and Stone Counties.
• Continuing Education Non-credit continuing education courses scheduled throughout the year based on community interest and resource availability.
• Student Success Center Free academic coaching, tutoring, career counseling, and job placement services for all students at Melbourne, Ash Flat, and Mountain View campuses.
• Arkansas Career Pathways Program assisting eligible students with tuition, fees, books, childcare, counseling, and employment training support.
• TRIO/Student Support Services Federally-funded program providing on-campus tutoring, workshops, four-year college visit planning, and cultural events.
• Paul Miller Fitness Center Fitness and wellness facility offering programs for students, staff, faculty, and community members located in the Miller Building.
• Paul Weaver Library Library with over 16,000 books and audio/visual items, online databases, inter-library loan services, and study spaces at Melbourne campus.
• Ozarka Opportunity Debt-free pathway program combining federal, state, foundation, and institutional scholarships to eliminate college debt burden for eligible students.
• Concurrent/Dual Enrollment Program allowing high school students to earn college and high school credit simultaneously at discounted rates through on-campus, online, or high school-based courses.
• myOzarka Portal Student portal providing access to course information, email, text alerts, financial aid, and academic records.

Quantifiable outcome

• $12.80 of future higher income for every dollar invested in Ozarka College education (student return on investment)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Arkansas State University-JonesborocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993Pivotal partnership facilitating development of college transfer coursework. Ozarka's Associate of Science in Agriculture transfers directly to ASU-Jonesboro's Bachelor of Science in Agriculture program at junior level, allowing students in Animal Production, Ag Education, or Ag Business majors to seamlessly continue their education.
• Four-Year Colleges and Universities (Arkansas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOzarka College has established transfer agreements with multiple four-year colleges and universities across Arkansas state, enabling students in the Associate of Arts program to transfer seamlessly to continue their bachelor's degree studies.
• Local High Schools (Service Area)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConcurrent enrollment partnerships with local high schools in Fulton, Izard, Sharp, and Stone counties, allowing high school students to earn college credit while completing high school requirements.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• South Arkansas Community College: Public two-year college in El Dorado, AR, comparable in scale and rural Arkansas positioning, with associate degrees, allied health, and technical programs analogous to Ozarka's mix.
• Arkansas State University Mountain Home: ASU-affiliated two-year campus in Mountain Home, AR, overlapping Ozarka's service area in north-central Arkansas with comparable associate degree, nursing, and workforce programming.
• Black River Technical College: Public technical college in Pocahontas, AR, offering associate degrees, technical certificates, and allied-health programs across a rural northeast Arkansas service area comparable to Ozarka's.
• North Arkansas College: Public two-year community college based in Harrison, AR — the closest geographic and demographic peer to Ozarka in north Arkansas, serving a similar rural four-county-style catchment with associate degrees and technical certificates.
• Rich Mountain Community College: Public two-year college in Mena, AR serving rural west-central Arkansas with transfer and technical programming, closely matching Ozarka's small rural community-college profile.
• East Arkansas Community College: Public two-year college in Forrest City, AR, serving a rural service area of comparable size with associate degrees and technical certificates aligned with regional workforce needs.
• National Park College: Public two-year college in Hot Springs, AR with allied-health, technical, and transfer programs serving a comparable small-city Arkansas catchment, similar institution profile to Ozarka.
• Arkansas Northeastern College: Public two-year college in Blytheville, AR with similar rural Arkansas service area, offering transfer and workforce programs including nursing and industrial technology comparable to Ozarka's portfolio.
• Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas: Public two-year UA-affiliated college in De Queen, AR, providing associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce programs in a rural Arkansas service area analogous to Ozarka's.

Regional players

• College of the Ozarks: Private four-year work-study college in Point Lookout, MO — geographically proximate to Ozarka across the state line, serving similar rural, affordability-sensitive students, though at a different credential level. Useful adjacent comparable for understanding regional student demand.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ozarkacollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/44360808940
• Instagraminstagram.com/ozarkacollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ozarka-college

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Ozarka College, Melbourne