About Us

As a Christ-centered institution, we offer a challenging, engaging, and inspiriting collegiate experience designed to change lives. We are a proud Military Friendly institution that ranks as one of the Best Regional Colleges in the South according to U.S. News and World Report.

History

At the annual meeting of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention in 1891, a special committee was appointed to consider the founding of an educational institution for women. Colonel George W. Bruce was appointed the first Chairman of the Board, and property was soon acquired in Conway.

Central College opened in a Baptist church in 1892, while waiting on construction of the Main Building on the beautiful fifteen-acre campus. The purpose of the institution was to train women for efficiency in home, church, business, and society.

Central College flourished for fifty-five years until its demise in 1947. Following its closure, the campus lay dormant for a number of years until it was purchased in 1952. The newly formed Arkansas Missionary Baptist Association purchased the property for $85,000, and Conway Baptist College opened its doors in September 1952 with Dr. D. N. Jackson serving as the first president of the college. The name of the institution was changed in 1962 to its current appellation, Central Baptist College.

Mission & Purpose

The value of Christian higher education is the value that has always under girded Central Baptist College’s mission statement. Since the institution’s inception in 1952, its mission has focused on educating the whole person — intellectually, physically, and spiritually.

While many other colleges and universities subscribe to the notion of holistic education, it is the spiritual dimension of higher education that has made and continues to make Central Baptist College unique.