Texarkana College’s #1 Ranking: What This Means for Our Community’s Future - Editorial

In a world where headlines too often focus on what’s broken in education—rising costs, dropout rates, and opportunity gaps—Texarkana College has given us something genuine to celebrate.

According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texarkana College now ranks #1 in Texas for three-year completion rates, with a remarkable 61.8% completion rate—nearly double the statewide average of 31.3% among all 50 public community colleges.

This isn’t a one-time fluke. Texarkana College has consistently ranked at or near the top for more than a decade, proving that our local institution delivers results that matter.

Why This Honor Was Earned

The success stems from a deep, intentional culture of care. Faculty and staff don’t just teach—they mentor, support, and refuse to let students fall through the cracks.

“Every one of our faculty and staff have a heart for every one of our students who walk through the doors. They want them to be at TC, they want them to complete, they want them to be able to go to work [and] get a high-paying job.”

— Dr. Jason Smith, President of Texarkana College

Through robust student success coaching, personalized advising, participation in the Texas Success Center Pathways, and a campus-wide commitment to early intervention, Texarkana College has built a system where completion isn’t luck—it’s expected.

This isn’t just a statistic. It’s a story about real people in our border city—parents working second jobs, first-generation students chasing bigger dreams, young adults pivoting after setbacks, and lifelong learners who refused to give up. Every graduate represents a family lifted and a future secured.

As someone who calls Texarkana home, this ranking fills my heart with pride and quiet determination.

What This Means for the City of Texarkana

For our community, this achievement is economic fuel. Graduates stay local, fill critical jobs in nursing, construction, business, and trades, start families, open businesses, and strengthen our shared future.

It tells families across Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas: opportunity begins right here. You don’t need to leave for quality education. Texarkana College proves our region can lead the state.

A Rising Tide for Our Sister Institutions

This success doesn’t diminish the vital work at neighboring schools—it inspires it.

University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT) complements TC beautifully. Shared programs, dual enrollment, and joint workforce efforts can serve students on both sides of the border even better.

Texas A&M University-Texarkana gains a stronger pipeline of prepared, confident students who are more likely to complete their bachelor’s degrees. Seamless transfers and partnerships will lift the entire region.

Healthy collaboration and friendly competition benefit every student in Texarkana.

A Heartfelt Call to Action

To the educators and leaders at Texarkana College: Thank you. Your dedication and heart have built something extraordinary.

“It is hard to get to number one... but we have been #1 three times and in the top five nine times in the last 10 years.”

— Texarkana College Leadership

To our city leaders, businesses, and residents: Let’s invest in this momentum. Fund scholarships. Create internships. Celebrate every graduate loudly.

To UAHT, Texas A&M-Texarkana, and all our educational partners: Let’s work together. Share best practices. Build a regional ecosystem where completion is the norm.

Texarkana has always been a place of resilience and quiet strength. Today, we have fresh proof we are thriving—giving people the tools to build better lives.

This ranking isn’t the finish line. It’s an invitation to dream bigger, support harder, and lift each other higher. Our students deserve nothing less. Our city is worth it. And the future we’re building together has never looked brighter.

— An Editorial by BJ Jones, Proud Texarkana Resident