Skilled trade schools offer students an opportunity to gain practical, hands-on training and education in their chosen career path. Technical and trade schools boast lower tuition costs and a shorter degree track, allowing graduates to enter the workforce as soon as possible.
With an abundance of vocational schools across the country, it can be challenging to choose the right one for you. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the top trade schools in America.
Not sure how to find a trade school? Start with this list! The following schools have a strong reputation for preparing students for successful careers:
For more than 75 years, Lincoln Technical Institute has helped students achieve professional success through personalized career support and job-specific education at their various campuses across the U.S. This has made it one of the most popular trade schools in the country.
Their website states:
“Our career training schools emphasize a hands-on approach that puts students at the forefront of the technology, skills, and expertise needed to excel in their chosen profession.”
Approximately 250,000 students have graduated from one of UTI’s 15 campuses located in:
Additionally, UTI shares partnerships with top companies in the industry, providing students with powerful networking opportunities.
Founded nearly 60 years ago in Laramie, Wyoming, WyoTech provides a top-notch, concentrated training program preparing students for a growing demand for technicians in the automotive and diesel industry.
“WyoTech has helped tens of thousands of graduates obtain training and go on to pursue great careers with a seemingly endless list of companies located all across the globe,” their website states.
Fortis offers career-based training, as well as diploma and degree programs at 30 campuses across 14 states. The school focuses on hands-on learning experiences that help students build professional skills and prepare for lifelong career growth. Here, students can receive an education and hands-on training in electrical, HVAC, or welding jobs.
This private technical institution in Baton Rouge, Louisiana offers degrees and certifications in various areas, including:
According to the school, ITI has graduated over 10,000 technicians to work in today’s high-paying occupations.
The St. Louis-based technical college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and offers certificate programs as well as associate and bachelor’s degrees in automotive, architecture, construction, electrical, IT and manufacturing.
According to the school, Ranken graduates work gainfully across the country as web developers, electrical designers, machinists, architects, carpenters, and business owners.
Triangle Tech offers hands-on training and technical degrees in high-demand fields such as maintenance electricity, construction technology, HVAC, carpentry, and welding and fabrication.
This Pittsburgh school offers 16-month educational tracks, providing students with a fast path to employment, real-world skills training, ongoing career services, and a strong track record with employers.
As a special mission affiliate of Penn State, Penn College has earned their position as the state’s premier technical college and pursues a vision to become known as a national leader in applied technology education.
Penn College’s popular majors include:
MTI has an expansive mechanical trades curriculum with four campuses across Illinois and Missouri. MTI offers accelerated paths from graduation to employment—seven months for welding craftsmen, 10 months for pipefitters, and nine months for HVAC/R technicians. The school is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).
ETA International, founded in 1978, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) trade association that serves as the leader in accredited, industry-recognized certifications for technical professionals. ETA offers over 80 accredited, vendor-neutral certification programs in a variety of technology fields such as fiber optics, communications, electronics, biomedical, smart home and renewable energy.
At Explore The Trades, our mission is to encourage individuals to pursue the plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical trades. Jobs in these fields are in high demand and come with great pay, career opportunities, and job security. Contact us to learn more or take our career quiz to see which trade is right for you.
