Best Accredited Online Trade Schools for Vocational Skills

Badge for BEST ONLINE TRADE SCHOOLS-FOR VOCATIONAL SKILLS

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Jenn Finley

Published: May 17, 2023
Updated: Oct 25, 2024

Key Takeaways

Students who are deterred by the high cost of college education are increasingly turning to online trade schools for valuable career training.
An online trade school is a low-cost and flexible option for busy professionals looking to increase their skills.
Online trade schools typically focus on a specific vocation, avoiding the need to take courses that do not apply to your chosen career path.

Table of Contents

Best Accredited Online Trade Schools 2025

Wentworth Institute of Technology
North Dakota State College of Science
Wake Technical Community College
West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Washburn Institute of Technology
+2
Central Georgia Technical College
–1
Gateway Community and Technical College
–1
Fayetteville Technical Community College
+1
Dakota College at Bottineau
–1
Northcentral Technical College

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

The Washburn Institute of Technology jumps 2 positions to move up to the number 5 spot in our 2025 ranking of the best online trade schools for vocational skills. The top 4 positions in our ranking remain unchanged this year.

Wentworth Institute of Technology has expanded its digital offerings with a focus on AI-enhanced learning, establishing an AI Steering Committee to integrate responsible and ethical AI usage across curricula.

Washburn Tech has reinforced partnerships with industry and local businesses, creating more opportunities for job placements directly aligned with students’ technical skills. The Kansas Promise Scholarship, a unique offering for in-state students, provides free tuition to those who commit to working in Kansas after completing their studies, ensuring affordability and accessibility for high-demand trades like CDL, nursing, and welding.

Many of us were brought up to think that the only way to succeed financially is to earn a four-year college degree. But a four-year degree from a college is often not enough to become marketable, especially now with many college graduates competing in the same fields. It may not even be enough that you maintain a high GPA while in college.

The high cost of college is also a deterrent to many people. Taking on a large amount of student debt is not worth it to many would-be students.

Enrolling in trade school programs may be a great option for both of these groups.

Trade schools allow you to graduate in a much shorter time frame than completing a four-year bachelor’s degree. In a trade school, you focus on a specific vocation, and don’t have to take unnecessary courses like general education classes.

Trade school programs provide students and professionals with personalized coaching from industry experts.

Trade schools, in general, are a terrific choice for many people. But online trade schools or online vocational schools may be an even better option.

An online trade school is an excellent choice for people with full-time jobs or a family (or both!). Because of the flexibility and convenience of being able to do schoolwork when it’s most convenient for students, an online trade school gives students more freedom.

Rural residents can also benefit from online courses because they can earn a trade school certification without traveling to a physical classroom.

Featured Programs

Methodology

To find the best online trade schools, we used the following criteria:

Cost: Online trade schools should be more affordable than four-year degrees. We’ve considered the upfront cost of each school to ensure that students don’t experience financial burdens.
Student-to-faculty ratio: We also considered the student-to-faculty ratio to ensure that students do not pursue a course that cannot offer customized instruction and practical learning opportunities.
Credibility: Credibility can be proven through graduation and retention rates and accreditation. Accreditation guarantees that the educational facility adheres to standards for faculty and quality content.

Instead of listing schools by scores, we have listed them in random order. Ultimately, it is up to the student to decide which online trade school best suits their goals, needs, and budget.

The 15 Best Online Trade Schools

Honorable Mention: Apollo Career Center

Campus Location: Lima, Ohio

Accreditation: Commission of the Council on Occupational Education

Student-Faculty Ratio: 8:1

Average Tuition Cost: $3,320

Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 67%

Before anything else, it’s important to know that Apollo Career Center is a non-degree institution. For over 40 years, the Apollo Career Center has trained high school and adult students in various fields with strong employment potential. This institution adapts and updates skill training to help regional businesses and industries grow their workforce.

Apollo offers over 20 career-training programs that prepare professionals for industry certifications and enhance their education, which will be advantageous to hiring companies. High school students are offered internships, apprenticeships, and employment options that benefit the community, the economy, and the future of Apollo.

Apollo Career Center is the perfect environment for professionals who want to enhance and develop their skills to compete in the job market.

Degrees You Can Earn at Online Trade Schools

Diploma or Certificate

Online vocational schools offer diploma and certificate options. Unlike degree programs, diplomas and certificates emphasize developing practical skills, which are attractive on a resume. These programs place more of an emphasis on technical skills than extensive academic understanding.

Diploma and certificate programs are available for a wide range of occupations, so your possibilities are not restricted to welding and other labor jobs. You can find diploma and certificate programs in medical information technology, medical assisting, medical coding, business, fire science technology, criminal justice technology, health sciences, and many more.

Associate Degree

An associate degree give students more adaptable, transferable skills than a vocational certificate would. These degrees are less comprehensive than four-year degrees but can be a stepping stone to bachelor’s degree programs. The content that most four-year college students gain in their first two years of study will be covered in an associate program.

Many students could benefit from earning an associate degree. An associate program may interest you if you are unsure of what you want to study, want to raise your high school GPA before applying to a four-year institution, or even want to save money on tuition for your first two years of college.

Continuing Education

Continuing education programs are courses offered to degree holders who want to develop a particular area of interest. These courses are similar to certificate programs; the only difference is the admission requirements.

If you currently hold a college or university degree, you can enroll in continuing education classes to improve or add to your skills. Employers may also permit flexible work schedules or pay for tuition throughout the study term, mainly if the program of study would increase your value to the company.

Non-Credit Programs

Non-credit courses are usually taken for personal and professional reasons; these courses do not count as college credit. Non-credit courses present chances for academic and personal improvement.

Students who take these classes will broaden their horizons and discover more about where their interests lie. Students can investigate, analyze, and research without pressure in these non-intensive classes.

What Can You Do With an Online Trade School Degree?

You can obtain employment in a field related to the trade school degree you completed after graduating. For instance, you can work as a dental assistant after completing a program in dental assisting. You can work as a medical assistant if you complete a medical assisting program.

Here are some of the most common jobs that you will find with an online trade school degree:

Air traffic controller
Aircraft maintenance technician
Auto mechanic
Carpenter
Computer programmer
Computer repair technician
Dental hygienist
Electrician
Elevator mechanic
Engineering technologist
Funeral director
Legal secretary
Licensed Practical Nurse
Lineworker
Locksmith
Millwright
Paralegal
Pharmacy Technician
Plumber
Radiation therapist
Registered Nurse
Respiratory therapist
Sonographer
Web Developer

Vocational Schools vs. Community Colleges vs. Four-Year Universities

Trade Schools/Vocational Schools

Trade school programs may last anywhere from six months (certificate programs) to two years (associate degrees).

Many vocational schools are for-profit institutions, unlike community colleges and four-year universities that are generally not-for-profit. In trade schools, the emphasis is on providing students with practical experience related to a particular job.

You can earn a diploma or certificate after a program, study for a licensing exam, or start an apprenticeship or career in a skilled trade. Most admissions are open enrollment.

Trade and vocational schools, however, hardly offer any extracurricular activity or campus culture since these are career-focused institutions. Students only need to show up for class to receive their professional training.

Community Colleges

Community colleges are two-year institutions that award associate degrees and, in some cases, certificate programs. There are private community colleges, typically called junior colleges, albeit the majority are public. The admissions process at community colleges is not stringent; applicants should be 18 years old with a high school diploma or the equivalent.

Community colleges are the least expensive option of the three. Moreover, students who attend community colleges have more social alternatives than those who attend technical and trade schools. However, community colleges offer limited major possibilities.

Four-Year Colleges

Four-year colleges award bachelor’s degrees to their graduates. This is the most versatile degree you can obtain compared to degrees from trade schools and community colleges. Although pre-professional majors and programs are offered in four-year universities, the emphasis is more on acquiring academic knowledge.

People with bachelor’s degrees typically earn more money than those with associate or trade school degrees. In addition, bachelor’s degrees are necessary for admission to graduate programs or professional programs like law, medicine, or dentistry.

Socially speaking, four-year colleges offer the most extracurricular activities and social events. But these institutions are generally expensive compared to trade schools and community colleges.

Pros and Cons of Trade Schools

The Pros of Trade Schools

Hands-On Learning Opportunity and High-Demand Career

The #1 advantage of attending a trade school is that you get career-focused training, which will help you more in achieving your goals. Unlike attending a liberal arts school or a community college, you don’t need to take courses that are irrelevant to your job aspiration.

Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to enter high-demand fields and earn more than the national average for all occupations.

Less Expensive and Shorter Time Frame To Completion

Trade school degrees provide a faster educational path. You don’t need to study for four years; you can easily jumpstart your career in as little as two to 24 months. Trade school programs are also generally cheaper.

Regardless of your route, vocational schools are set up to help you prepare for the workforce. By providing quick-paced, skill-based programs, they aid in preparing students for in-demand trade occupations and help reduce the skilled labor shortage in America.

The Cons of Trade Schools

Limited Program Options

As mentioned, trade schools offer limited majors; these schools can only provide training for very specific careers, mainly in manual, technical, and mechanical labor fields. Some of the most common trade school programs include:

CNC Machining
Construction
Criminal Justice
Culinary Arts
HVAC
Masonry
Mechanics
Medical Assisting
Medical Billing and Coding
Web Design
Welding

Because trade school degrees are career-focused, you have few chances of developing transferable knowledge and skills.

Rigorous Class Schedules and Limited Financial Aid

While trade schools offer the fastest path to career development, you might have a very constrained schedule throughout the program. While online trade schools exist, you might still need to attend some on-campus classes to complete the program, which can leave you with little free time.

If you are working full- or part-time, or even if you have family duties at home, you should carefully examine the rigorous schedule. You must complete your training in a trade school program at defined times and in a particular place.

Moreover, vocational and trade schools are cheap and rarely offer financial aid opportunities.

Lack Of Support Services

Many trade schools don’t offer the same assistance as traditional universities. While offering vocational training, trade schools do not provide tutoring or career counseling; both are crucial when switching to new employment after graduation! We strongly advise you to consider job placement when selecting trade schools.

Are Online Trade Schools Worth It?

This is a question that only you can answer. You are the only person aware of your capacity for time commitment, monetary outlay, and academic load. Only you will know the best way to get where you want to go in your life and career.

Opting for an online trade school program or attending a vocational school will be worth it if you don’t have the time or financial capacity to complete a four-year degree program. Trade schools and vocational programs are also worth a shot if you are certain that a career as a skilled laborer is the best fit for you.

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Best Accredited Online Trade Schools for Vocational Skills

Key Takeaways

Best Accredited Online Trade Schools 2025

2025 Ranking Update

Featured Programs

Methodology

The 15 Best Online Trade Schools

Last Year’s Ranking:

Career Outlook for degree at Wentworth Institute of Technology

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at North Dakota State College of Science

Career Outlook for degree at Wake Technical Community College

Most Influential Alumni

Career Outlook for degree at West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Career Outlook for degree at Washburn Institute of Technology

Career Outlook for degree at Central Georgia Technical College

Career Outlook for degree at Gateway Community and Technical College

Career Outlook for degree at Fayetteville Technical Community College

Career Outlook for degree at Dakota College at Bottineau

Career Outlook for degree at Northcentral Technical College

Career Outlook for degree at Forsyth Technical Community College

Career Outlook for degree at Maysville Community and Technical College

Career Outlook for degree at Taft College