Enrollment at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) has reached its highest level in six years, bolstered by significant growth in undergraduate numbers and a record participation by high school students in free concurrent credit programs.
According to preliminary data from UACCB, 1,408 students are enrolled for the Fall 2026 semester, taking a total of 11,702 credit hours. These figures mark an 18% increase in headcount and a 22.9% rise in credit hours compared to the previous year. The headcount is the college’s largest since 2019.
The college reported growth across all student categories, with the strongest gains in undergraduate enrollment. UACCB also saw a surge in high school students taking advantage of free concurrent credit programs, a trend attributed to Arkansas’ ACCESS initiative, which broadened eligibility for such programs.
The enrollment statistics reflect numbers from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) census, which includes UACCB’s full 16-week term and the first eight-week session known as Fall I. When factoring in Fall II — set to begin in October — total enrollment rises slightly to 1,410 students, with 13,324 credit hours recorded.
“We are committed to improving the lives of our students and being responsive to our community,” said UACCB Chancellor Brian Shonk. “By focusing on delivering the best educational experience and demonstrating a caring atmosphere daily, we have positioned ourselves for this growth.”
The college’s recent program additions have played a significant role in driving enrollment. This year, UACCB introduced programs such as Farm and Ranch Management, a redesigned Industrial Maintenance program, an additional nursing cohort, and new university transfer partnerships. The partnerships include a “campus-within-a-campus” collaboration with the University of Arkansas at Monticello as well as agreements with other four-year universities designed to smooth the transfer process.
For example, the University of Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship allows students who complete an associate degree at UACCB or another University of Arkansas-affiliated two-year institution to retain that tuition rate after transferring to the Fayetteville campus. Other streamlined transfer programs include the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith’s Smart Choice program and the University of Arkansas Grantham’s fully online degrees.
Key to UACCB’s growth is its focus on flexible and affordable education. The college has introduced HyFlex course delivery, allowing students to attend classes in person or remotely on a week-by-week basis based on their personal schedules. This flexibility builds on other initiatives like EveningU, designed to accommodate working students. Additionally, UACCB has prioritized cutting costs through the use of Zero Textbook Cost materials, which rely on open educational resources and other free alternatives.
Retention and graduation rates at UACCB are among the highest for Arkansas community colleges, according to the latest data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. The college reported a 70% retention rate for full-time students and 61% for part-time students, both surpassing national averages of 65% and 46%, respectively. UACCB’s graduation rate stands at 66%, well above the national average of 34% to 37%.
In recognition of its achievements, UACCB was named a Top 200 Community College by the Aspen Institute last year.
“Our students are the reason UACCB is a national leader in higher education,” said Provost Zach Perrine. “Their success reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff, as well as our commitment to providing relevant, affordable pathways to good jobs.”
UACCB’s enrollment figures suggest that the community-focused campus is poised for continued growth and impact in the region.