Formed from a merger of the El Dorado branch of Southern Arkansas University and Oil Belt Technical College, South Arkansas Community College was approved by a 62 percent majority vote in Union County in March 1992.

Then Governor Bill Clinton appointed a nine-member Board of Trustees, and all assets and liabilities of Oil Belt and SAU-El Dorado were transferred by June 30, 1992, to SouthArk.

The decision was made in an effort to reflect better the college's standing as a regional institution.

In the 2019–2020 academic year, the college began intercollegiate athletics, starting men's and women's basketball programs.

The Stars went on to the 2023 NJCAA DII World Series and finished in the top five teams, with a 47–18 final record.