10 Best Trade Schools inBentonville, AR

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This page includes information about the top trade schools in the Bentonville area.

The schools included in our list offer training programs that focus on hands-on applications and can be completed in only a few months.

The programs included in our list prepare students for rewarding careers in a variety of fields, including:

  • Healthcare
  • Skilled Trades
  • Fitness
  • Cosmetology
  • And more

If you live in the region and want to prepare for a new career, we invite you to read further and find out more about the available options.


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1NorthWest Arkansas Community College

About the School

Northwest Arkansas Community College offers training programs that allow students to begin a career fast.

Bachelor’s Degree programs are also available.

In-district students pay a tuition of $79 per credit hour while out-of-district students pay $145.

Out-of-state students pay $164 per credit hour while international students pay $215.

Courses Offered

Programs are offered in the following areas of interest:

  • Health Care- programs are available for future CNA/PCAs, Dental Assistants, Fire Science, Nursing, Paramedics, Physical Therapist Assistants, Respiratory Therapists, and more
  • Culinary/Brightwater- training programs are available in Baking & Pastry, Beverage Arts, Culinary Arts, and more
  • Business- Account Technology, Banking & Finance, Computer Programming, Entrepreneurship, Information Management, and many other business-related programs are available
  • Science and Math- Agriculture, Environmental & Regulatory Science, and STEM Curriculum available
  • Workforce- programs that prepare students for careers as Bicycle Technicians, in Construction Technology, or in the field of Integrated Design
  • Social Sciences- programs in Child Advocacy, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, and other related fields are available
  • Arts and Communication- students can study Art, Cinematic Studies, Music, Media and Journalism, Theatre, Creative Writing, or Graphic Design

Contact Information


2National Personal Training Institute

National Personal Training Institute offers a 500-hour training program for students who want to start a career as personal trainers through hands-on experience.

Students don’t need prior experience.

A lifelong Diploma recognized across the world is awarded at the end of the program.

The training lasts for six months and takes place every day.

New classes start every six weeks.

The course is taught by instructors with real-world experience in the fitness field.

The curriculum covers classes in human psychology, anatomy, nutrition and diet, how to run a personal fitness business, and all the other basic information needed for a fitness career.

Students also learn how to design and implement a variety of exercises using real-world case studies.

New exercises and techniques designed by National Personal Training Institute staff members are also offered as part of the program.

Classes take place live virtually and students can choose between day, evening, and weekend schedules.

The program allows students to keep a job while preparing for a new career.

Students receive:

  • Daily lectures that can be accessed from anywhere if internet access is available
  • Daily hands-on applications
  • Study materials

Graduates receive:

  • A Personal Fitness Training Diploma
  • A Nutrition Certificate

Contact Information


3Academy of Professional Cosmetology

About the School

Academy of Professional Cosmetology teaches modern cosmetology techniques and principles to help students start a rewarding career in the beauty sector.

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

  • Be at least 17 years of age
  • Have a valid driver’s license state ID with a photo, or passport
  • Provide a high school diploma or equivalent

The first step in the admission process involves a tour of the facility and an informational interview.

The registration fee is $100 and students also have to pay an additional $20 state student permit fee.

Tuition costs vary depending on the program.

The Cosmetology program, which can be completed in 43 weeks, costs approximately $10,300.

The total cost mentioned above includes $9,120 for in-state tuition and fees and approximately $1,200 for books and supplies.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at the school:

  • Cosmetology- a 1,500-clock-hour program that prepares students for a career working with clients in a salon
  • Aesthetics- a 600-hour program that covers the basics of skincare
  • Manicure- a 600-hour program that covers nail technology
  • Instructor- a program that prepares licensed professionals for a career as an instructor through 600 hours of training.

Contact Information

  • Address: 2600 West Hudson Rd., Suite A, Rogers, Arkansas 72756
  • Phone: 479-246-0046
  • Website: https://apcschools.com

4Ark Beauty Academy

About the School

Ark Beauty Academy offers training programs for students who want to start a career in the beauty industry.

Tuition costs vary depending on the program.

The Cosmetology program costs $14,800 in total, which includes tuition, books, kit, and registration fee.

The Instructor program costs $6,300 in total.

Esthetics students pay $8,600 in total.

The school offers full-time, part-time, as well as evening classes.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at the school:

  • Cosmetology- a 1,500-hour program that covers the general hair science and helps students develop manipulative skills, safety judgments, and good work habits
  • Esthetics- a 600-hour program that helps students develop skills and knowledge in facial treatments, hair removal, makeup, as well as eyelash extensions, brow, and lash enhancements.
  • Nail Technology- a 600-hour program that teaches manicures, pedicures, how to repair damaged nails, nail tips, and other similar skills
  • Instructor- a program that covers teaching methods, program development, classroom management, and other instructor-related skills

The school also offers refresher courses which are usually one or two days long.

Contact Information


5Northwest Technical Institute

About the School

Northwest Technical Institute helps students change their lives through education and training programs.

The institute currently offers nine diploma programs in the field of health services, industrial and information systems.

Training is also available for current high school students who want to earn credit in career and technical fields.

Northwest Technical Institute is accredited by The Council on Occupational Education.

The in-state tuition for diploma programs is $60 per credit hour.

Out-of-state tuition is $65 per credit hour.

The application fee is $10.

Applicants need official high school transcripts and/or GED scores and transcripts from another post-secondary institution.

Immunization records are also required.

Students also need to take one of the following approved exams: Classic Accuplacer, Next Generation Accuplacer, or ACT.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available:

  • Allied Health Programs:
    • Certified Nursing Assistant
    • Practical Nursing Program
    • Sterile Processing Technician
    • Surgical Technology
  • Industrial Arts:
    • Ammonia Refrigeration
    • Automotive Service
    • Electronics
    • Industrial Maintenance
    • Medium & Heavy Truck
    • Welding
  • Information Systems

Contact Information

  • Address: 709 S Old Missouri Road, Springdale, AR 72764
  • Phone: (479) 751-8824
  • Website: https://nwti.edu

6Bryan University

About the School

Bryan University offers training programs for students who want to prepare for careers in allied health, business, health & wellness, or trades.

The programs can lead to a diploma or degree, depending on the path chosen.

Courses Offered

The following undergraduate programs are available through the University’s School of Allied Health:

  • Medical Assistant- Diploma and Associate Degrees are available
  • Medical Office Assistant- a Diploma program
  • Medical Administrative Specialist – an Associate of Applied Science program
  • Healthcare Administration- an AAS program
  • Medical Billing and Coding- this program also leads to an AAS
  • Allied Health Management- this program leads to a Bachelor of Science

The University also offers the following business undergraduate programs:

  • Business Administration and Management- and AAS degree program
  • Business Administration- a Bachelor of Science program

The School of Health and Wellness offers the following undergraduate programs:

  • Personal Trainer- this program leads to a Diploma
  • Exercise Specialist- an AAS program
  • Programs that lead to a Bachelor’s of Science are also available in Exercise, Nutrition, and Health Promotion, Allied Health Management, and Business Administration

The School of Trades offers a Solar Energy Technician Diploma program.

Contact Information

  • Address: 3704 W Walnut St, Rogers, AR 72756
  • Phone: 855-862-0755
  • Website: https://bryanu.edu

7University of Arkansas

About the School

Non-degree courses and programs designed to help students in their professional careers are available in Bentonville in partnership with the University of Arkansas.

Many programs are also offered online.

Courses Offered

The University’s catalog includes a variety of programs, such as:

  • Java Development- a course that teaches Java programming as well as object-oriented programming concepts that are applicable across different programming languages
  • Phlebotomy Technician- an online program that teaches students how to correctly and safely collect blood samples from patients for laboratory analysis
  • Medical Administrative Technician- this online program provides an introduction to medical administration and prepares students for a position in the field
  • Medical Billing and Coding- an online program that teaches students how to solve insurance billing and coding problems
  • Certificate in Nutrition, Chronic Disease, and Health Promotion- this online program includes 12 contact hours
  • Introduction to Construction- a program that provides an introduction to construction processes
  • Fundamentals of Agricultural Systems Technology- a course that studies the basic mathematical and scientific concepts behind the mechanization of agriculture
  • And many more

Contact Information


8Arkansas College of Electricity

About the School

Arkansas College of Electricity offers a state-approved Certified Apprenticeship Training Program.

The program can be completed in two or four years.

Apprentices receive structured on-the-job training as well as classroom instruction.

Each year consists of 2,000 hours of on-the-job training and 144 hours of classroom instruction.

To qualify for this Apprenticeship, applicants must:

Be at least 17 years of age

Have a GED or high school diploma

Be employed by a Licensed Electrician

The program requires trainees to attend classes one night per week for four hours.

Classes start in August and end in May.

The program can be completed in two years by Residential Journeymen and in four years by Journeymen.

The College also offers Continuing Education classes.

Licensed journeyman electricians need to complete at least eight hours of continuing education of each National Electrical Code cycle.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for electricians is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, with about 84,700 new openings expected to occur each year.

The average annual wage reported by electricians in Arkansas was $44,740 as of May 2021, but wages range from less than $30,000 to more than $60,000.

Contact Information


9Mid-America Truck Driving School, Inc

About the School

Mid-America Truck Driving School, Inc offers truck driving classes in Malvern and Springdale.

Founded in 2003, it is the oldest Arkansas-owned & operated truck driving school in the state.

Training is available in all classes of motor vehicles: Class A, B, C vehicles with endorsements for hazmat, tank, doubles & triples, passenger transit, coach, and school buses.

Students learn from experienced and professional instructors in trainer vehicles.

The vehicles are equipped with a variety of configurations for engines and transmissions.

The school has commercial and non-commercial vehicles, as well as RVs and camper trailers.

Companies in the private sector offer tuition reimbursement programs.

Financial funding options are also available for students who qualify.

Short-term loans from Mid-America Truck Driving School are offered on a first-come-first-served basis for students who qualify.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2020 to 2030 with 231,100 new openings expected to occur each year.

As the demand for goods grows, the need for truck drivers who transport them is also expected to rise.

Contact Information


10Clark Long School of Real Estate

About the School

Clark Long School of Real Estate offers real estate education for those who want to prepare for the salesperson or broker licensing exams.

The pre-license course held in Bentonville costs $395 while the post-license course for salespersons is $180.

The course that prepares students for the Broker licensing exam costs $495 while post-licensing courses for brokers cost $300.

Continuing education classes cost $70.

Those interested can apply through the school’s website.

The school’s instructors have many years of real-life broker experience.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available:

  • Pre-License Course- a 60-hour course that satisfies the Arkansas Real Estate Commission requirements for taking the real estate exam.
  • Post-License Course for Sales Associates- this two-day course includes 18 hours and is a requirement for those who get their license
  • Broker License Course- a 60-hour class that helps students prepare for the Broker licensing exam.
  • Broker Post-License Course- a 30-hour class that takes place over three days
  • Continuing Education- a seven-hour annual continuing education class is available for all Sales Associates and Brokers

Contact Information


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants380$73,540$35.36$83,780$31,450
Medical Records Specialists280$40,880$19.65$60,590$30,920
Nursing Assistants2,170$31,580$15.18$35,620$25,710
Dental Assistants720$38,220$18.38$46,190$31,130
Medical Assistants920$34,440$16.56$39,370$28,150
Phlebotomists200$36,110$17.36$44,760$30,440
Electricians1,960$47,300$22.74$64,170$30,150
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters730$48,550$23.34$64,180$31,080
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1,130$45,750$22$64,750$28,960
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers760$47,810$22.99$64,260$33,500
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO metropolitan statistical area, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

Bentonville offers plenty of career training options for those who want to learn new skills or prepare for a new profession.

Most programs are designed to be completed fast and get students ready for employment in just a few months.

We encourage you to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your expectations, schedule, budget, and learning style.


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