Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Arkansas Ranked For 2026

The 2026–27 catalog requires 69 credits for the Automotive Service Technology AAS, 40 for the technical certificate, and nine for the Automotive Brake Specialist Certificate of Proficiency.

The program’s weekday blocks generally run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. You'll combine automotive theory with lab assignments on training vehicles.

The AAS includes 53 automotive credits and 16 general-education credits. Three automotive labs, an internship, fuel and ignition systems, transmissions, engine repair, and electrical work are part of the degree.

The technical certificate includes 36 automotive and four general-education credits. Choose College Algebra or Math Reasoning if you plan to continue into the AAS. Technical Math I satisfies the certificate’s math option but is not transfer-level math.

The nine-credit Automotive Brake Specialist certificate combines Brakes with a choice of Automotive Lab I or Automotive Lab II.

The automotive program holds ASE Education Foundation accreditation. Professional ASE certification still requires the relevant test and qualifying work experience.

Automotive training takes place at Marked Tree, 33500 Highway 63 East. The program lists fall, spring, and summer availability and a 17-month length for both the AAS and technical certificate.

2026–27 degree plans require 60 credits for the AAS and 45 credits for the TC; the certificate is designed as a step toward the AAS.

The AAS begins with engine repair, brakes, steering, and suspension. The second term includes six credits each of electrical/electronic systems and engine performance. Later courses cover HVAC and automatic and manual drivetrains.

The three-credit Hybrid, Electric, and Fuel Cell Vehicle Technologies course is a directed elective in the AAS. Students select it as one of the available elective choices.

Placement results can require preparatory English or math work before the regular sequence. The degree plans identify writing, English fundamentals, math reasoning, and math fundamentals as possible preparatory courses.

ASUN Transparent Tuition bundles required textbooks and access codes, classroom supplies, uniforms and toolkits, applicable program safety and lab materials, and required screenings and testing. The published price stays locked when students follow the program schedule and finish in the expected timeframe.

The Automotive Service Technology route is a 24-month AAS. Its 26-credit technical certificate is embedded in the AAS rather than offered as a separate short enrollment route.

The catalog places automotive students at Melbourne Campus or the Ash Flat Technical Center, with Monday–Thursday campus attendance. Concurrent high-school schedules may differ.

The AAS includes five-credit Diesel Engines and five-credit Diesel Engine Performance courses alongside automotive engines, electrical systems, suspension, brakes, HVAC and transmissions.

Each Automotive Service Technology and Diesel Service Technology course has three hours of classroom instruction and four hours of lab.

Students must earn at least a C in every AST course to remain in the automotive degree program. A student who fails an AST course may attempt the technical-certificate route through subsequent required courses.

The 2025–26 catalog estimates in-state AAS costs at $8,500 and the embedded certificate at $3,756. Both estimates exclude web and lab fees, supplies, and books.

The 2026–2027 automotive technical certificate requires 35 credits: 19 in fall and 16 in spring. Core courses are marked as offered only in their assigned fall or spring semester.

Automotive Diagnostic and Automotive Maintenance certificates of proficiency each require 16 credits, split across two semesters.

The diagnostic CP covers manual drivetrains, steering/suspension, HVAC and automatic transmissions. The maintenance CP covers electronics, engine repair, brakes and engine performance.

The spring 2026 adult automotive schedule placed classes at East Campus in El Dorado, in MCG142. Those sections met Monday through Thursday in morning or afternoon blocks.

From July 1, 2026, tuition is $105 per credit for Union County residents, $120 for other Arkansas residents and $190 for out-of-state students, before mandatory and course fees.

The academic map requires a minimum cumulative 2.00 GPA. Placement-based remedial or co-requisite classes can add semesters.

Electrical Engine Specialty and Powertrain Systems Specialty are separate one-year technical certificates. Each requires 34 credits in the college’s linked 2025–26 plans.

Electrical Engine students study electrical accessories and circuits, engines, fuel systems, ignition, and emissions. Communication and quantitative-literacy or math courses round out the certificate.

Powertrain students study automatic transmissions, manual drivetrains, axles, heating and air conditioning, steering, suspension, and brakes. The certificate also includes communication and math study.

Electrical Engine starts its sequence in even-numbered fall years and finishes in the following spring. Powertrain starts in odd-numbered fall years and finishes in the following spring.

Training is based at the Pocahontas campus Automotive Technology Complex, building 15, at 1410 Highway 304 East.

Entrance-test scores determine placement into any needed developmental courses. Those courses can add a semester to the one-year certificate plan.

The automotive diploma requires 46 credit hours and 1,151 clock hours in the curriculum revised July 20, 2025.

Classes meet Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–3 p.m., over two semesters and one summer term, with fall and spring starts.

The summer plan includes a two-credit, 120-clock-hour internship along with heating and air conditioning.

The diploma includes two levels each of automotive electrical systems and engine performance, plus powertrain, brakes and steering.

NWTI’s program estimate is $7,545 for in-state tuition, fees, books, and supplies. This is the program estimate, separate from the historical annual institution tuition used in the comparison score.

Published application windows are February 1–May 31 for fall and August 1–November 1 for spring.

The automotive program meets at ATU-Ozark’s Shop Complex and Technology and Academic Support Building, 1700 Helberg Lane in Ozark.

The 2026–27 technical certificate requires 36 credits: 16 in fall, 14 in spring, and six in a five-week summer session. The 60-credit AAS spans two academic years plus summer coursework.

The AAS adds advanced drivetrains, diesel theory, alternative automobile fuels, welding, and career readiness. Its internship requirement can also be satisfied through an approved automotive elective.

Students repair vehicles accepted into the teaching shop. ATU identifies the program’s ASE accreditation at the Master Automobile Service Technology level, which accredits the training rather than certifying each graduate as a master technician.

The catalog requires each student to provide an instructor-approved tool set.

The technical certificate covers electronics, gasoline engines, drivetrains, steering, brakes, engine performance, and climate control. Technical math, business English, and computing support the shop coursework.

The Certificate of Proficiency requires 15 credits in one semester, the technical certificate 38 credits over two semesters, and the AAS 62 credits over four semesters. All three use in-person instruction.

Automotive credentials are based at the technical-center site in Mountain Home. The college identifies its Myers Technical Education Campus at 4034 Highway 62 West for automotive technical training.

The AAS includes 18 general-education and 44 automotive credits. You'll study two levels each of electrical systems and engine performance, plus engine rebuild, powertrains, HVAC, gas metal arc welding, and employment strategies.

The technical certificate combines six general-education credits with 32 automotive credits. It includes electrical systems and engine performance through their second levels. Graduation requires a 2.0 GPA, and freshman assessment determines any additional placement work.

Graduates receive a starter toolbox and tools. During enrollment, the 2026–2027 catalog lists a $30-per-credit Automotive Program Tools Rental Fee; the graduation toolbox and the enrollment rental charge are separate parts of the program.

Tuition is $119 per credit for Arkansas residents and $180 for out-of-state students in 2026–27. Automotive charges include a $50-per-credit lab fee and a $30-per-credit tool-rental fee, in addition to other required fees.

The fall-start plan awards a 15-credit certificate of proficiency after semester one, a 30-credit technical certificate after semester two and a 60-credit AAS after four semesters.

The program supplies the major tools needed for training and pairs classroom instruction with shop assignments using a diverse vehicle fleet.

Training includes opportunities for ASE Student Certifications in the eight automobile areas and G1 Maintenance and Light Repair. Snap-on options cover meters, repair-information software, and diagnostic platforms. Student certifications are distinct from professional ASE certification.

The AAS includes advanced electrical troubleshooting of multiplex wiring, engine/transmission/differential overhauls, and a three-credit technical elective that may be an automotive-service internship.

The published spring-start map reaches the CP in semester two and the TC in semester three, while the fall-start map reaches those milestones after semesters one and two.

Technical courses normally must be no more than five years old to count toward a credential or prerequisite; older work may be considered through prior-learning credit procedures.

The 47-credit Automotive Service Technology technical certificate is organized across three semesters and runs for 11 months.

Classes and automotive shops are at North Campus, 1320 North Spring Road in Harrison. This is an on-campus certificate with practical shop assignments.

Lab assignments take place in the AST department’s live shop and include shop-management procedures alongside vehicle repair.

The final 10-credit semester comprises Engine Performance II, Automotive Electronics II and Automotive Climate Control.

Northark strongly encourages you to purchase a basic tool set after the first semester. Its catalog identifies manufacturer discount programs for student tool purchases.

The certificate can supply one of the technical disciplines for the AAS in General Technology.

Automotive classes meet at ASU-Beebe’s Searcy campus, 1800 East Moore Avenue in Searcy. This is the automotive teaching site, separate from the Beebe campus.

You can earn an 18-credit Certificate of Proficiency, a 35-credit technical certificate, or a 60-credit Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology.

The three-credit Hybrid & EV Systems course is required in both the technical certificate and AAS. Training includes a Lucas-Nuelle hybrid/electric vehicle specialist trainer acquired through the Metallica Scholars initiative.

The short certificate covers introductory electrical work, brakes, suspension, steering, and climate control. The AAS extends the technical certificate with engine rebuild, manual and automatic transmissions, and Engine Performance II.

ASU-Beebe identifies ASE Education Foundation certification across all eight automotive areas. Its shop combines diagnostic equipment with current repair publications, and the program offers Toyota training opportunities.

The college offers a 35-credit Automotive Service Technology technical certificate and a 63-credit General Technology AAS with an automotive concentration.

The General Automotive option combines a 12-credit core with 23 technical credits. You'll study engine repair and performance, brakes, transmissions, steering, suspension, climate control, and powertrains, with application labs alongside the system courses.

The hybrid/EV option includes a three-credit introductory course, a four-credit advanced course, and a four-credit automotive service internship. Basic electricity, maintenance, an application lab, and computing complete its specialized coursework.

The AAS combines 15 general-education credits, 29 technical credits, and 19 supporting-elective credits. Its automotive core covers conventional vehicle systems, electrical diagnosis, automotive computers, and two application labs.

You'll divide your training between classroom instruction using vehicle-system software and shop assignments repairing vehicles. Electrical and computer-system study sits alongside mechanical repair coursework.

The program is based at the Forrest City campus, 1700 Newcastle Road.

The 2026–2027 General Technology Automotive Option AAS requires 60 credits across four semesters. The Automotive Service Technology TC requires 48 credits across three semesters.

Both current plans devote 10 credits to Electrical Fundamentals and 10 credits to Engine Performance.

Pulaski Tech offers compressed-natural-gas training. The AAS includes the three-credit Conversion and Installation of AFS course, adding alternative-fuel study to its automotive systems curriculum.

Certificate of Proficiency options cover Chassis and Brake Specialist, Climate Control and Drivability Specialist, and Drivetrain Specialist.

Both plans require at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA. Additional prerequisite courses may be needed when minimum placement scores are not met.

Automotive faculty and training are based at Little Rock-South. The North Little Rock address on the program page is the mailing address.

The automotive program is at UAM College of Technology–McGehee, rather than the university’s Monticello headquarters.

The 42-credit technical certificate runs across fall, spring, and summer, with term loads of 16, 17, and nine credits.

The first 16 credits form an optional Automotive Diagnostics Certificate of Proficiency, covering engine repair, electrical/electronic systems, suspension/steering and brakes.

Spring includes seven credits of engine performance and four of transmissions and transaxles. Summer adds manual drivetrains and axles, heating and air conditioning, and technical communication.

Graduation requires a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00. Entrance-test placement can add developmental courses to the technical certificate’s 42-credit plan.

The certificate includes technical mathematics, computer fundamentals and technical communication, with higher-level alternatives allowed in those areas.

The automotive pathway is part of ASU Three Rivers’ Malvern Career Center. Its certificates are designed for high-school juniors and seniors earning college credit alongside high-school coursework.

The two-year program spans four semesters and offers up to 24 college credits. Each Certificate of Proficiency requires 12 credits completed with grades of C or better.

The Drivability and Brakes certificate covers brakes, manual drivetrains, direct-current fundamentals, engine repair and performance, automotive computers, and electronic fuel injection. Its sequence runs from an even-numbered fall year into the following spring.

The Electrical and Chassis certificate covers steering, suspension, automatic transmissions, tires, wheels, alignment, electronics, HVAC, and ignition. Its sequence starts in odd-numbered fall years and continues into the following spring.

Students process vehicles through an intake-and-repair workflow that simulates a dealership service department. The instructor is an ASE Master Certified Technician.

Students can begin in any semester, with individual courses offered every other year. Completing both certificates establishes eligibility for the Career Center Completer Scholarship after high-school graduation.

UAFS states that it stopped accepting new students into the affected programs beginning in summer 2024. General Technology Automotive AAS and its related certificates are explicitly included.

University of Arkansas Board minutes for March 12–13, 2024 approve elimination of General Technology Automotive concentration AAS and affiliated certificates.