Best Trade Schools in Arkansas
12 schools ranked by programs, certifications, equipment, and accreditations. Real data, no affiliate padding.
#28
National Rank
12
Schools
16
Program Types
18
Certifications
2.9
Avg Programs/School
16
Observed Program Tags
Critical Skills: WeldingHVACPlumbingMachine
How We Rank Schools
Schools are ranked using a transparent composite score (0-100 points) based on verifiable data:
- Program breadth 0-20 pts
- Certification depth 0-15 pts
- Equipment/facilities 0-8 pts
- Accreditation quality 0-12 pts
- Data completeness 0-18 pts
- Outcomes (placement, salary) 0-10 pts
- Financial aid (VA, Pell, WIOA) 0-7 pts
- Partnership readiness 0-10 pts
No school pays for placement. Rankings are updated as new data is verified.
Top 12 Trade Schools in Arkansas
1
National Park College
Hot Springs, AR
Welding & FabricationAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & MachiningManufacturing Technology
Pell EligibleTitle IV
Certifications: AWS Certified, ASE, CDL, CNA, NCCER, NIMS, OSHA 10,
OSHA 30
Equipment: CNC Mill, MIG Welder
the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)NACEP – National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment PartnershipsHLC – The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges
and Schoolsthe Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
Contact: Sarah Day — Sarah.Day@np.edu
2
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR
Welding & FabricationAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyCNC & MachiningElectronics & InstrumentationManufacturing Technology
VA Approved
Certifications: NATEF, CNA
Equipment: CNC Milling Machine, MIG Welder, Compressor, Truck Simulator, Medical
Equipment (e.g. EKG, Phlebotomy)
the Higher Learning Commission and approved by the UAACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of
Businessthe Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE)the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Contact: Terisa Riley —
Terisa.Riley@uafs.edu
3
South Arkansas College
El Dorado, AR
Construction & CarpentryWelding & FabricationAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyCNC & MachiningHVAC/R
Certifications: AWS Welding, ASE, CDL, EKG, I-CAR, NATE, NCCER, OSHA
10
Equipment: CNC Mill, MIG Welder
ACCSCCOE
Contact: Dr. Stephanie Tully-Dartez — —
4
Northwest Technical Institute
Springdale, AR
Electrical TechnologyHVAC/RCNC & MachiningConstruction & CarpentryHealthcare & MedicalElectronics Technology
Certifications: AWS Welding, ASE, CDL, CNA, EPA 608, NATE, NCCER,
I-CAR
Equipment: CNC Mill, MIG Welder
ACCSCCOE
Contact: General Contact — info@nwti.edu
5
Black River Technical College
Pocahontas, AR
Welding & FabricationAutomotive TechnologyElectrical TechnologyPlumbingConstruction & CarpentryCNC & Machining
Title IV
Certifications: Journeyman Electrician, Master Electrician, OSHA 30,
CNA, Phlebotomy
The Higher Learning Commission Full Workforce Training Calendar - Black River
Technical College Skip to content We create heroes, craftsmen, and leaders Search
for: Search About Foundation News Events Apply Today! Apply Today! College
Coursework Workforce Training Student Support Community Education Admissions
Directory We create heroes, craftsmen, and leaders College Coursework Workforce
Training Student Support Community Education Admissions Directory About Foundation
News Events Apply Today! Apply Today! Search for: Home Workforce Training Full
Workforce Training Calendar Subscribe to Workforce Training Calendar March 2, 2026
8:00 am - 5:00 pm OSHA 30 General Industry 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Five Rivers Plumbing
Apprentice Pocahontas March 3, 2026 8:00 am - 5:00 pm OSHA 30 General Industry March
4, 2026 8:00 am - 5:00 pm OSHA 30 General Industry 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Proven Parts 1
& 2 - Cross Ridge - Wynne 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Pocahontas Electrical Apprentice
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Five Rivers Plumbing Apprentice Pocahontas March 5, 2026 8:00 am -
5:00 pm OSHA 30 General Industry March 9, 2026 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Five Rivers
Plumbing Apprentice Pocahontas March 11, 2026 8:00 am - 6:00 pm 60 Hr Pre License
5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Pocahontas Electrical Apprentice 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Five Rivers
Plumbing Apprentice Pocahontas March 12, 2026 8:00 am - 6:00 pm 60 Hr Pre License
March 16, 2026 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Five Rivers Plumbing Apprentice Pocahontas March
18, 2026 8:00 am - 6:00 pm 60 Hr Pre License 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Pocahontas Electrical
Apprentice 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Five Rivers Plumbing Apprentice Pocahontas March 19,
2026 8:00 am - 6:00 pm 60 Hr Pre License March 23, 2026 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Five
Rivers Plumbing Apprentice Pocahontas March 25, 2026 8:00 am - 6:00 pm 60 Hr Pre
License 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Pocahontas Electrical Apprentice 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Five
Rivers Plumbing Apprentice Pocahontas March 26, 2026 8:00 am - 6:00 pm 60 Hr Pre
License March 30, 2026 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Five Rivers Plumbing Apprentice Pocahontas
April 1, 2026 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Pocahontas Electrical Apprentice 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Five Rivers Plumbing Apprentice Pocahontas April 6, 2026 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Five
Rivers Plumbing Apprentice Pocahontas April 8, 2026 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Pocahontas
Electrical Apprentice 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Five Rivers Plumbing Apprentice Pocahontas
April 15, 2026 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Pocahontas Electrical Apprentice April 22, 2026
5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Pocahontas Electrical Apprentice April 29, 2026 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Pocahontas Electrical Apprentice May 6, 2026 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Pocahontas Electrical
Apprentice May 13, 2026 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Pocahontas Electrical Apprentice May 20,
2026 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm Pocahontas Electrical Apprentice May 27, 2026 5:30 pm - 9:30
pm Pocahontas Electrical Apprentice We're Here to Help! Callahan, Jody
Workforce Education Development Coordinator MThe Higher Learning Commission Workforce Training - Black River Technical College
Skip to content We create heroes, craftsmen, and leaders Search for: Search About
Foundation News Events Apply Today! Apply Today! College Coursework Workforce
Training Student Support Community Education Admissions Directory We create heroes,
craftsmen, and leaders College Coursework Workforce Training Student Support
Community Education Admissions Directory About Foundation News Events Apply Today!
Apply Today! Search for: Home Workforce Training Workforce Training BRTC works
closely with local and state workforce development agencies and area economic
development initiatives to serve the needs of businesses and industries within Clay,
Greene, Lawrence, and Randolph counties in developing workforce programs which
benefit the workforce and employersThe Higher Learning Commission Career and Technical Center - Black River Technical
College Skip to content We create heroes, craftsmen, and leaders Search for: Search
About Foundation News Events Apply Today! Apply Today! College Coursework Workforce
Training Student Support Community Education Admissions Directory We create heroes,
craftsmen, and leaders College Coursework Workforce Training Student Support
Community Education Admissions Directory About Foundation News Events Apply Today!
Apply Today! Search for: Home College Coursework Career and Technical Center What is
a Career and Technical Center? BRTC's Career and Technical Center (CTC) is a
free program which enables high school juniors and seniors to get a head start on a
career after high schoolThe Higher Learning Commission Career Pathways - Black River Technical College Skip
to content We create heroes, craftsmen, and leaders Search for: Search About
Foundation News Events Apply Today! Apply Today! College Coursework Workforce
Training Student Support Community Education Admissions Directory We create heroes,
craftsmen, and leaders College Coursework Workforce Training Student Support
Community Education Admissions Directory About Foundation News Events Apply Today!
Apply Today! Search for: Home Financial Aid Career Pathways What Is Career Pathways?
Career Pathways seeks to help modest-income parents gain workplace skills leading to
economic self-sufficiency and reduced reliance on public assistance
Contact: Martin Eggensperger — —
6
Arkansas State University Mid-South
West Memphis, AR
Electrical TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryCNC & MachiningManufacturing TechnologyCAD/CAM & DraftingHealthcare & Medical
VA Approved
Certifications: NATE
Equipment: CNC Milling Machine, MIG Welder, Compressor, Truck Simulator, Medical
Equipment
the the Higher Learning Commissionthe National Institute of Metal Working Skills (NIMS) and is an approved HAAS
Technical Training ProviderLINKS Academic Calendar Campus Map Board of Trustees BoardFOUNDATION PAGES About the Foundation Board
Contact: Dr. Debra West —
dwest@asumidsouth.edu
7
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton
Morrilton, AR
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryManufacturing TechnologyCAD/CAM & Drafting
VA ApprovedPell Eligible
Certifications: NATE
Equipment: CNC Mill, MIG Welder
The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL
60604the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation, 1503 Edwards Ferry
Rdthe Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE), PMB
219, 8865 Norwin Avenue STE 27, North Huntingdon, PA 15642the Commission on Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National
Association for the Education of Young Children, 1401 H St
Contact: Admissions Office — adm@uaccm.edu
8
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
Helena, AR
Welding & FabricationHVAC/RAutomotive TechnologyConstruction & CarpentryManufacturing TechnologyCAD/CAM & Drafting
VA ApprovedPell Eligible
Certifications: NATE
Equipment: CNC Mill, MIG Welder
The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL
60604the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation, 1503 Edwards Ferry
Rdthe Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE), PMB
219, 8865 Norwin Avenue STE 27, North Huntingdon, PA 15642the Commission on Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National
Association for the Education of Young Children, 1401 H St
Contact: Dr. Keith Pinchback —
pinchback@pccua.edu
9
Ozarka College
Melbourne, AR
Welding & FabricationAutomotive TechnologyCNC & MachiningCAD/CAM & DraftingHealthcare & MedicalIT & Networking
VA ApprovedTitle IV
Certifications: NATEF
Equipment: CNC Mill, MIG Welder
one of the six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the Higher Learning
Commissionthe Higher Learning Commissionthe American Culinary Federation (ACF), 180 Center Place Way, Stthe National Automotive Technician's Education Foundation (NATEF), 101 Blue
Seal Drive, S
Contact: Joshua Wilson —
jwilson@ozarka.edu
10
Arkansas State University Three Rivers
Malvern, AR
IT & Networking
Certifications: AWS Certified, CDL, EKG, NCCER, OSHA 10, OSHA 30
ACCSCCOE
Contact: Dr. Steve Rook — —
11
Southern Arkansas University Tech
Camden, AR
Healthcare & Medical
Certifications: CDL, CNA, NCCER, OSHA 10, OSHA 30
Equipment: CNC Milling Machine, MIG Welder, Compressor, Truck Simulator
ACCSC AccreditationCOE Accreditation
Contact: Admissions Office —
admissions@sautech.edu
12
Arkansas Welding Academy
Jacksonville, AR
Welding & Fabrication
Certifications: AWS Welding
COEVA Approved
Contact: General Contact —
info@arkansasweldingacademy.edu
Best Healthcare & Medical Schools in Arkansas
Best Welding & Fabrication Schools in Arkansas
Best Automotive Technology Schools in Arkansas
Best IT & Networking Schools in Arkansas
Best Construction & Carpentry Schools in Arkansas
Best CNC & Machining Schools in Arkansas
Best CAD/CAM & Drafting Schools in Arkansas
Best Electrical Technology Schools in Arkansas
Certifications Available
CDL5 schools
CNA5 schools
NCCER5 schools
OSHA 305 schools
NATE5 schools
OSHA 104 schools
AWS Welding4 schools
ASE3 schools
I-CAR3 schools
EKG3 schools
Phlebotomy3 schools
AWS Certified2 schools
CPR/BLS2 schools
NATEF2 schools
NIMS1 schools
EPA 6081 schools
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trade schools are in Arkansas?
There are 12 trade schools in Arkansas tracked by BOMAtlas, offering programs in 16
different fields.
What is the best trade school in Arkansas?
Based on our composite ranking of programs, certifications, equipment, and
accreditations, National Park College ranks #1 in Arkansas.
What are the most popular trade programs in Arkansas?
The most common programs are Healthcare & Medical, Welding & Fabrication,
Automotive Technology. These reflect strong employer demand in the state.
What certifications can I earn at Arkansas trade schools?
Schools in Arkansas offer 18 different certifications including AWS Certified, ASE, CDL,
CNA, NCCER.
How are trade schools in Arkansas ranked?
BOMAtlas ranks schools using a transparent composite score (0-100) based on program
breadth, certifications, equipment, accreditations, outcomes (placement rate, salary),
financial aid availability, and data quality.
How does Arkansas compare to other states for trade education?
Arkansas ranks #28 nationally with 12 schools and 8 unique program types.
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