Best Trade Schools in Arkansas for 2025
Trade students can find numerous career opportunities in Arkansas. Learn about the ten best trade schools in Arkansas for 2024 and the programs and opportunities they offer.
Arkansas's economy is a mix of energy production and agriculture. That alone gives trade workers plenty of career options, before even factoring in standard trades like automotive, electrical, plumbing, welding, and healthcare.
Trades are a great way to find a stable career without the debt or time spent on years of school. Keep reading to discover the ten best trade schools in Arkansas for 2024.
Featured Trade Schools in Arkansas
Students in Arkansas can study the trades at more than two dozen colleges in the state. Below, we've listed ten of the best trade schools in Arkansas in alphabetical order.
1. Arkansas Northeastern College
Arkansas Northeastern College is a public community college in Blytheville, Arkansas. It offers associate degrees and certificate programs on campus and online.
Trade programs are available in areas like:
- air conditioning and refrigeration
- aviation maintenance
- construction technology
- healthcare and emergency medicine
- industrial electrical systems
- steel industry technology
- welding
The university offers apprenticeships for some trade programs, including an electrical apprenticeship through a partnership with The Solutions Group.
2. Arkansas State University-Beebe
Arkansas State University-Beebe is a public community college based in Beebe, Arkansas. It's part of the Arkansas State University system and offers associate degrees and certificate programs in person and online.
Students can study trades in fields such as:
- automotive technology
- diesel technology
- health sciences
- heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration
- industrial technology
- marine technology
- welding technology
The college also offers several industrial and technical workforce training programs, including an electrical apprenticeship and a plumbing apprenticeship.
3. Black River Technical College
Black River Technical College is a public community college in Pocahontas, Arkansas. It offers associate degrees and certificate programs on campus and online.
Trade programs are available in areas like:
- automotive service technology
- emergency services
- gunsmithing
- industrial electricity
- industrial technology
- microcomputer repair technician
- welding
Additionally, Black River Tech offers multiple healthcare programs, such as programs in nursing, medical coding, phlebotomy, and EMT/paramedic training.
4. National Park College
National Park College is a public community college in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It offers associate degrees and certificates in person and online.
Students can study trades in fields such as:
- automotive service technology
- health sciences
- industrial technology
- marine repair technology
- welding technology
A handful of apprenticeship programs are available at National Park College for students studying child development or looking to be electrical technicians, HVAC technicians, or plumbing technicians.
5. North Arkansas College
North Arkansas College is an Arkansas community college in Harrison. It offers associate degrees and certificates on campus and online.
Trade programs are available in areas like:
- automotive service technology
- construction technology
- heating, ventilation, and air conditioning/refrigeration technology
- truck driving
- turf management
- welding
North Arkansas College includes internships or apprenticeships in several of its programs, including construction technology, HVAC technology, truck driving, and turf management.
6. NorthWest Arkansas Community College
NorthWest Arkansas Community College is a public community college based in Bentonville, Arkansas. It offers associate degrees and certificate programs in person and online.
Students can study trades in fields such as:
- bicycle technician
- construction technology
- culinary arts
- health sciences
- HVAC
- truck driving
The college also offers two skilled trades programs that include an apprenticeship, one in electrical and the other in plumbing.
7. Ozarka College
Ozarka College is a public community college in Melbourne, Arkansas. It offers associate degrees and certificate programs.
Trade programs are available in areas like:
- automotive service technology
- construction and HVAC
- culinary arts
- diesel technology
- electrical and plumbing
- precision machining technology
- welding technology
Additionally, students at Ozarka College can pursue multiple healthcare programs, including nursing, health information technology, and emergency medical technology.
8. Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas is a public community college in Helena, Arkansas. It's part of the University of Arkansas System and offers associate degrees and certificates on campus and online.
Students can study trades in fields such as:
- advanced manufacturing
- construction technology
- cosmetology
- health sciences
- HVAC
- welding
Through a partnership with the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, two apprenticeship programs are available, one for electrical and the other for plumbing.
9. South Arkansas College
South Arkansas College is a public community college in El Dorado, Arkansas. It offers associate degrees and certificate programs on campus and online.
Trade programs are available in areas like:
- automotive services
- culinary arts
- electrical technology
- forestry technology
- health science
- industrial maintenance
- welding technology
South Arkansas College hosts two apprenticeship programs, the first in electrical and the second in plumbing. Both programs take four years to complete and are open to students 16 or older.
10. University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville
The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville is a public community college in Batesville, Arkansas
Students can study trades in fields such as:
- agriculture technology
- carpentry
- construction technology
- HVAC
- masonry
- mechatronics
- welding
The college also offers programs for numerous health professions, including emergency medical technology, patient care technology, certified nursing assistants, and registered nursing.
Common Trade Jobs in Arkansas
Many trade jobs are common in Arkansas, including trades like construction, electrical, and plumbing, as well as trades in agriculture and forestry.
According to the Arkansas Comprehensive Workforce Center, some of the most in-demand trades in the state include:
- truck drivers
- nurses and nursing assistants
- medical assistants
- automotive service technicians and mechanics
- heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
- hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
- telecommunications equipment installers and repairers
How Much Does Trade School Cost in Arkansas?
According to the Education Data Initiative, two-year colleges in Arkansas tend to be overall less expensive than the national average.
An Arkansas resident studying at a public two-year college or trade school can expect to pay an average of $3,484 in tuition and fees.
A non-resident attending a public two-year school in Arkansas pays an average of $4,845 per year. This does not include additional costs like room and board.
Are There Online Trade Schools in Arkansas?
Many of the best trade schools in Arkansas listed above offer online education. However, most trade programs require hands-on learning and as a result, are not offered 100% online.
It may be possible for you to still take some of your courses online. Check with the admissions counselor or your advisor to find out if any of your program's courses are available in an online format.
Explore Trade Schools Today
There are several colleges in Arkansas that offer trade programs and many with apprenticeships or opportunities for on-the-job training. Check out the best trade schools in Arkansas featured above to find yours today.