Arkansas State University-Beebe

Arkansas State University-Beebe is a public two-year community college based in Beebe, Arkansas, and part of the Arkansas State University System. Established in 1927, it serves students across central and east-central Arkansas through campuses in Beebe, Searcy, Heber Springs, and at Little Rock Air Force Base, as well as through online programs. The institution offers associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce training in fields such as health sciences, business, agriculture, and technical trades. With an open-enrollment admissions policy, Arkansas State University-Beebe attracts recent high school graduates, adult learners, military-affiliated students, and those planning to transfer to four-year universities.

Arkansas State University-Beebe was founded in 1927 as the Junior Agricultural School of Central Arkansas in Beebe, Arkansas. Created through state legislation championed by Representative William H. Abington, the school focused on agricultural and practical education, with Dr. Eugene Abington serving as its first president. In 1931, it expanded to include a junior college program. After operating independently for nearly three decades, the institution affiliated with Arkansas State College in 1955, becoming Arkansas State College–Beebe Branch. When the parent institution became Arkansas State University in 1967, the campus was renamed Arkansas State University–Beebe Branch. Over time, Arkansas State University-Beebe added programs, technical training through the Arkansas State Technical Institute in 1985, and additional campuses in Heber Springs and Searcy. In 2001, the word “branch” was removed from its official name, reflecting its expanded role within the Arkansas State University System.