Crowley's Ridge College

Crowley’s Ridge College (CRC) is a private nonprofit college in Paragould whose small-campus setting and Christian identity shape its academic and student-life experience. Its current offerings span Biblical Studies, business and technology, arts and sciences, and teacher education. Prospective students can compare associate and bachelor’s options, and should pay close attention to licensure requirements if planning to teach: CRC’s educator preparation programs include state-approved pathways, but the required degree focus, exams, and placements depend on the intended license.

Programs to compare

Notable options include the B.A. in Biblical Studies, with ministry-focused concentrations; business degrees in Business Administration, Marketing, and Sports Management; teacher-education routes including Elementary Education and Physical Education; and a B.A. in General Studies that combines two academic concentrations. CRC also lists associate programs in arts and sciences and business. Its program information describes pathways to teacher licensure and current Arkansas-approved educator preparation. Check the academic programs directory and speak with the relevant division about degree plans, field placements, and the exact license each pathway supports.

Admission and planning

CRC’s 2025–26 catalog describes an open-admissions policy, while the application page provides the active form and current materials checklist. Ask the Registrar to review transfer credits against the intended degree plan before enrolling, especially if you hope to complete a bachelor’s degree after an associate program elsewhere. The admissions page is the starting point; the college’s main line is (870) 236-6901 and its published address is 100 College Drive, Paragould, AR 72450.

Financial aid: compare the conditions, not just the headline amount

CRC uses FAFSA to assess financial need and publishes institutional awards for academic achievement, transfer students, Bible majors, Christian-school graduates, ministry-connected families, concurrent-enrollment students, and other eligible groups. For example, its transfer award is listed at $5,000 per year for qualifying full-time students who already hold an associate degree, renewable for up to six semesters with satisfactory progress; it cannot be combined with an ACT scholarship. The college says combined institutional scholarships cannot exceed 75% of tuition. Award amounts and terms change by year, so ask Financial Aid which schedule applies to your entry term and how awards interact.

For eligible Arkansas students in approved teacher-licensure pathways, CRC announced participation in the state’s Arkansas Teacher Academy Scholarship. The college says the award may provide up to $12,000 per academic year, potentially $48,000 over four years, but state academic, program, and service conditions apply; some or all of the funding may convert to a repayable loan if those requirements are not met. Review the college scholarship information and the state Teacher Academy rules with Financial Aid before treating it as a grant in your budget.

Campus, schedule, and student comments

The main campus is at 100 College Drive, Paragould, AR 72450. Student Financial Services publishes weekday hours of 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; because individual offices may differ, call (870) 236-6901 before visiting. The official site lists academic divisions and programs at this address; no separate instructional campus was verified for this guide.

Voluntary student comments often describe the benefit of a close-knit campus where students know classmates and professors, and some praise faculty support. A few reviewers say facilities need updating, and athletics or Bible study are particularly visible parts of campus life. These are individual accounts rather than a promise of every student’s experience. During a visit, ask to see the facilities used by your program, confirm course availability for the next two years, and clarify chapel, housing, and participation expectations. Read public student comments about CRC.