10 Best Trade Schools inConway, AR

Page Navigation

This page includes information about the top trade schools in Conway, Arkansas.

The institutions included in our list provide career-ready programs that are usually less than two-years-long and focus on hands-on training.

If you live in the region and you want to start a new career, advance to a better-paid position, or just learn a new skill, we invite you to read further.



1Accelerated Dental Assisting Academy

About the School

The Accelerated Dental Assisting Academy provides affordable dental assisting training at many locations across the nation.

Their dental assisting training program is fast-paced and allows students to graduate in only 10-12 weeks.

Students enrolled in this program learn the skills needed for this profession hands-on, in a working dental office.

The classes take place one day per week, Friday or Saturday, and are eight hours long.

Students learn from experienced dental professionals who are committed to helping them succeed.

The theoretical information is learned through the school’s online learning systems at the student’s own pace, from the comfort of their home.

Graduates are ready for a rewarding career in dental offices after completing the program.

Tuition costs vary depending on location.

The school offers flexible weekly, bi-weekly, or bi-monthly payment plans that help cover the costs.

In many states, funding opportunities for students who qualify are also available.

Courses Offered

The curriculum covers the following topics:

  • Dental terminology and dental equipment
  • Impression taking and pour models
  • Updating patient health history
  • Taking blood pressure
  • Conventional and digital x-rays
  • Four-handed dentistry: operative, crown, bridge, oral surgery, and root canals
  • And more

Contact Information


2Body Wellness Massage Academy

About the School

Body Wellness Massage Academy prepares students for rewarding careers in massage therapy.

Students learn from instructors with valuable real-world experience that combines more than 35 years.

The courses take place in a relaxed environment where trainees can practice their skills hands-on.

Classes for the 500-hour Massage Therapy Certification program are available in day and night schedules.

Tuition is $5,500 for the 500-hour program.

Applicants also have to pay a non-refundable application fee of $100.

Students can start training the following Monday after being accepted and enrolled in the program.

Those interested can register through the school’s website.

The curriculum can be completed in seven months.

Courses Offered

The Massage Therapy curriculum offered by the Body Wellness Massage Academy covers topics such as:

  • Anatomy/ Kinesiology/ Pathology- the program teaches students about the body systems and the functions of these systems
  • Modalities of Bodywork/ Spa Treatments- students learn a variety of modalities of bodywork
  • Business/ Ethics/ Law- this section covers education in Arkansas rules and regulations, as well as ethics and business principles.

Contact Information


3Missions Barber College

About the School

Missions Barber College is a barber college located in Conway, Arkansas.

Students enrolled in this program can work on real clients each day.

The training covers training in all types of hair, fades, flattops, and haircuts.

Students don’t share stations, the school has 21 stations and enrolls 21 students.

A Barber Teacher program is also available for those who have a current barber license and a high school diploma.

Tuition for the 10-month barber program is $7,650.

Students have the option to contact Arkansas Rehabilitation Services or the Veterans Administration for financial aid.

Applicants must be at least 16 years and a half and have an equivalent of an 8th-grade education.

Full-time students attend classes 38 hours per week, while part-time students attend 22 hours per week.

Students graduate from the Missions Barber College program after completing 1,500 hours of training if they achieve at least a 75 percent average on all final, written, and practical exams.

A Cosmetology Crossover program is also available at the college and consists of 600 hours of training.

Contact Information


4Conway Public Schools

Conway Public Schools teaches career skills through its Career and Technical Education Center.

A Youth Apprenticeship program is also available for students in grades 11 and 12.

Internships are available in agricultural science, architectural drafting and design, child care, automotive collision repair, culinary arts, construction trades, health sciences, hospitality, welding, and many other fields.

To qualify for an internship, students need a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better and a 3.0 or higher GPA in at least two units of career focus classes.

Students should have less than six absences during the school year.

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and must have taken, or taken concurrently, another unit of a career-focused course.

Those interested should fill out an application and secure four recommendations- two from core academic teachers, one from a career focus teacher, and one from outside the educational field.

Students also need a resume.

The center offers a variety of career and technical education programs, including:

  • Natural Resources Management
  • Plant Science
  • Accounting
  • Principles of Banking
  • Digital Marketing
  • Computer Science Programming
  • Photography
  • Welding: Metal Fabrication, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, and Gas Tungsten ARC/Gas Metal-Arc
  • And more

Contact Information


5Arthur's Beauty College

About the School

Arthur’s Beauty College offers beauty training programs at its four locations: Jacksonville, Conway, Fort Smith, and Jonesboro.

The programs are designed to prepare students for successful careers in cosmetology.

The school also offers specialty classes in makeup, lash extensions, hair extensions, and more.

Their Cosmetology program includes 1,500 hours of training.

Graduates are ready for the licensing exam and cosmetology careers.

Cosmetologists are allowed to work in the fields of hair care, skincare, and nail care.

Through this training program, students prepare for careers as stylists, salon owners, managers, color technicians, perm specialists, image consultants, and a variety of other related positions.

Tuition for the Cosmetology program costs $15,750.

Additional costs include $1,400 for a Cosmetology kit, $375 for a Book Bundle, $395 for Chromebook, $20 for the state permit fee, and $60 for the written exam fee.

The College also offers an Instructor Program that includes 600 clock hours of training.

The tuition for the Instructor Program is $3,510.

Instructor students pay an additional $176.95 for instructor books, $20 for a state permit fee, and a $60 written exam fee.

Contact Information


6Arkansas Elite Welding Academy

About the School

Arkansas Elite Welding Academy combines individualized training with a curriculum that covers the most in-demand skills in the industry.

The school has a 10 to 1 student-to-instructor ratio.

School instructors have a combined experience of more than 150 years.

Graduates who qualify receive lifetime job placement assistance.

A variety of financial aid opportunities are available.

Arkansas Elite Welding Academy is approved to accept military education benefits from students who qualify.

Loans are also available through the Arkansas Rural Endowment Fund.

Arkansas Elite Welding Academy is licensed by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at the school:

  • Elite Combined Structural/ Pipe Program- a 920-hour program that can be completed in 23 weeks and costs $24,000
  • Elite Pipe Welding Program- this program includes 720 hours of training, can be completed in 18 weeks, and costs $18,000
  • Elite Structural Welding Program- a 420-hour curriculum that costs $10,500 and can be completed in 10 weeks and a half
  • Elite Downhill Pipeline Program- this six-week program costs $7,500 and includes 240 hours.

Contact Information


7University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton

About the School

University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton offers college-transfer programs that allow students to earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree program through daytime, evening, online, and hybrid courses.

Programs are available in Business, Communication, Forestry, Nutrition, Health, Science, Pre-Engineering, and many other fields.

Tuition is $92 per credit hour for Conway County Residents and $102 for in-state students who don’t reside in Conway County.

The out-of-state tuition is $130 per credit hour.

Students pay an additional $42 per credit hour for mandatory fees.

Courses Offered

The following courses are available:

  • Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Technology
  • Automotive Service Technology
  • Computer-Aided Drafting and Design Technology
  • Diesel Technology
  • Early Childhood Development
  • Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology
  • Law Enforcement Administration
  • Surveying
  • Welding Technology

The above programs allow students to earn a Technical Certification in as few as nine months, a Certificate of Proficiency in four months, or an Associate of Applied Science degree in their field in two years.

University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Contact Information

  • Address: 1537 University Blvd., Morrilton, AR 72110
  • Phone: 800-264-1094
  • Website: http://www.uaccm.edu

8Ultimate Technical Academy

About the School

Ultimate Technical Academy offers training programs for those who want to start a career in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical industries.

The Academy uses a fast track method that allows students to finish training and only a few weeks.

Several one-week courses are available and students can choose the ones that are right for them and fit their schedules.

Each course combines classroom training with hands-on training.

Approximately one-third of the training time is spent in the classroom and two-thirds are spent learning applied processes in the HVAC, Electrical of Plumbing fields.

Costs vary depending on the program

For example, the Refrigeration Technology program costs $1,397 in total (tuition and materials/lab/lunch fees).

No pre-requisites apply to the Electrical & Refrigeration courses, the courses can be taken in any order.

The Advanced Service Diagnostics program is available for experienced technicians.

All materials and tools and provided by the school.

Courses Offered

The Ultimate Technical Academy provides training in the following fields:

  • HVAC Courses:
    • Refrigeration Technology
    • Electrical for HVAC
    • Heating Technology
    • Installation Technology
    • Advanced Service Diagnosis
  • Electrician Course
  • Plumbing

Contact Information


9Arkansas College of Health Careers

About the School

Arkansas College of Health Careers offers classes in Phlebotomy and medical & clinical lab technology.

The school allows students to become CNAs in only four weeks.

To qualify for admission, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Be beyond the age of compulsory public school attendance
  • Attend an interview with an ACHC School Admission Representative
  • Provide proof of a high school diploma or GED
  • A social security card proof is also required as well as an ID

Flexible payment options are available as well as partial in-house scholarships.

Students may also receive full or partial tuition assistance through Arkansas Workforce or Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.

Courses Offered

The following courses are available:

  • Phlebotomy Technician- a five-week course
  • Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician- a program that can be completed in ten weeks and covers Phlebotomy, Electrocardiography, and Spirometry
  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Business Officer- a ten-week course that teaches students how to cover the clerical side of a medical practice
  • Nursing Assistant- four-week training program that is available in daytime or night schedules

Contact Information

  • Address: 9714 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205
  • Phone: (501) 319-7573
  • Website: https://achc.us

10Black River Technical College

About the School

Black River Technical College offers a variety of training programs through its Career and Technical Center.

The Black River Technical College’s Career and Technical Center program is free and helps high school juniors and seniors get a head start in their careers after graduating from high school.

The Center is located at the College’s Pocahontas and Paragould campuses.

Tuition costs for adult students vary depending on the program and the residency of the students.

For example, in-state tuition for a 30-hour program is approximately $2,880, while additional fees sum up to $1,320.

Black River Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Courses Offered

The following pathways are available for high school students:

  • Allied Health: CNA, Phlebotomy, and RN prerequisites
  • Welding
  • Industrial Electricity/Electronics
  • Machine Tool Technology
  • Auto Collision Repair
  • Auto Service Technology

Workforce Training and Community Education programs are also available in the following fields:

  • Automotive and Transportation
  • Early Childhood Training
  • Firearms, Responders, & Security
  • Health & Safety
  • Industry Training
  • Real Estate
  • And more

Contact Information


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants710- NA -- NA -- NA -- NA -
Medical Records Specialists780$47,040$22.61$67,930$32,610
Nursing Assistants5,360$33,130$15.93$38,660$25,720
Dental Assistants910$43,070$20.71$51,810$36,400
Medical Assistants1,640$36,030$17.32$45,390$29,560
Phlebotomists400$37,760$18.16$42,780$31,890
Electricians2,100$48,180$23.17$61,770$32,740
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters1,030$48,900$23.51$63,620$31,550
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1,560$48,060$23.11$73,380$29,700
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers1,250$49,640$23.87$69,030$34,430
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR metropolitan statistical area, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

Conway is home to many trade schools that can get you ready for employment in high-demand industries.

Now that you have read our list, it’s your turn to continue the research and apply to the program that best meets your learning style, career aspirations, budget, and schedule.


USA FlagTrade Schools by City in Arkansas

See all schools in Arkansas >