Texas boasts a diverse array of trade schools, with approximately 260 two-year and postsecondary institutions offering vocational training across the state. These schools provide programs in various fields, including healthcare, technology, and skilled trades, catering to the state’s growing workforce demands.
The average cost of attending a trade school in Texas is significantly lower than pursuing a four-year degree, with tuition and fees averaging around $15,000. Graduates from these programs often experience favorable employment outcomes, with many institutions reporting high job placement rates shortly after completion.
For instance, Del Mar College in Corpus Christi notes that 90% of its graduates are either employed or continuing their education, with median first-year earnings of $57,000 for business, occupational, and technical graduates. This article explores 15 of the best trade schools in Texas, highlighting their programs, costs, and employment prospects to assist prospective students in making informed decisions.
Why Attend A Trade School In Texas?
To start with, don’t get confused when you hear someone use vocational school or technical college instead of trade schools. They can be used interchangeably. Trade schools, both in Texas and worldwide focus more on increasing knowledge base and set of skills. In the top trade schools of Texas, you can forgo general education, and straightaway starts taking classes on the precise skill you want to learn.
A certificate from the trade schools of Texas allows you to get a secured and high-paying job in any field you chose to go into. And you are in luck as Texas has many top trade schools where you are assured of getting a diploma degree. This enables you to work as any of the following on graduation; medical assistant or technician, nurse, electrical technician, entrepreneur, administrator, etc.
You might find yourself asking if going to a trade school in Texas is worth it, or if there is a need for you to attend one. The answer is yes. Absolutely. Here are some reasons you should contemplate registering in one of the top trade schools in Texas, and some benefits you stand to gain on enrolment. Also, check out some of the best adult driving schools in the USA.
- You spend less time getting a degree
- You get exposed to actual everyday experiences
- Relatively cheaper tuition fee when compared with a university
#1. You spend less time getting a degree
Getting a degree from a college or university will take you nothing short of four years or even more.
A trade school in Texas by the way requires you to spend just two years, and you are ready to enter the labor market with a degree. This means you graduate earlier, get a job, and start building your career and life as soon as possible.
#2. You get exposed to actual everyday experiences
One major benefit of enrolling in a trade school is that you get exposed to training that prepares you for the real world outside school. Most trade schools in Texas give a higher preference to training students in the practical aspect of a course than the theory. This gives you an edge in various aspects, both while searching for jobs and even on the job.
#3. Relatively cheaper tuition fee when compared with a university
Without entering into debt, you can successfully get a diploma or Tech certificate from a trade school.
These and many more are what you get on enrolling in one of the trade schools in Texas. So, yes, trade schools in Texas are worth it.
How Much Does Trade School In Texas Cost?
You now know that going to a trade school in Texas has its benefits, and one of them is that it is relatively cheaper than colleges. Still, it will cost you some money, and you have to have an estimate of it.
Depending on the school. For some programs, you might spend less than $2,500. On average, you may spend up to $33,000, more or less to get a degree from a trade school in Texas.
Compared to colleges where you have to pay twice this amount, and you might even incur debt, you are at an advantage here.
What Are The Requirements For Getting Into Trades School In Texas?
If you have finally decided on going to a trade school in Texas, you have crossed the first hurdle. The next is meeting the requirements for trade schools in Texas.
Most trade schools in Texas do not require you to take the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Testing Program Test (ACT). All you need do is take a Technical Aptitude Test.
Some of the requirements are listed below.
- Minimum age of 17
- High school diploma
- Post-secondary school certificate
- Assessment test
- Prior knowledge
#1. Minimum age of 17
To gain entry into a trade school in Texas, you must be at least 17 years of age by the time of entry. Most schools require a minimum age of 18, and some, with parental consent, accept ages 17 and below.
#2. High school diploma
This or its alternative such as the General Educational Development (GED), is another requirement. Some schools also consider the GPA before admission but it does not matter much.
#3. Post-secondary school certificate
This can also be accepted in place of the high school diploma.
#4. Assessment test
This test is required mostly at the point of admission. This is the assessment test that would test your knowledge in basic reading and writing.
#5. Prior knowledge
Some programs will require you to have prior knowledge which would be like a foundation for what you will be learning.
How To Get Into Trade Schools In Texas
The process of getting into most trade schools in Texas, united states is easy. Most of the application process will be done online by going on the school’s website. Ina case where you get confused, there are helplines on the sites. You can also go to the admission office of the school in person.
The enrolment process may vary by school. For most schools, you can submit your application online after filling in the required details. Most schools have online admission teams to put you through.
It’s best if you get familiar with the school you are putting in for. Some schools have made it mandatory to visit the school before your admission or during the process.
Overview Of The Best Trade Schools In Texas
Texas has some of the best trade schools in the United States. While some give on-campus training, some allow online training. Whichever one you choose, one thing you can be sure of getting is quality schooling which the trade schools in Texas provide for their students.
Do you want to start your search for the best trade schools in Texas near you? Great! Lucky you, we have compiled a list of some of the best trade schools in Texas in no particular order. All you need do is read through and pick the ones suitable to your liking.
To make it easier, at a glance you will get to know the tuition fee to pay for each of the trade schools, their acceptance rate, and the details of the program.
Listed below are some of the best trade schools to consider in Texas.
- South Texas vocational technical institute
- Texas state technical college
- Universal tech institute
- Vista College
- Texas school of continuing education and recruitment
- CCI Training center, Arlinton, Texas
- Remington College
- El Paso community college
- Fortis College
- Tulsa welding school
- Edge tech academy
- Grayson College
- Lamar Institute of Technology
- ECPI University
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance Programs
- Cisco College
- Central Texas Beauty College
#1. South Texas Vocational Technical Institute
- Tuition: $5,500-$24,000
- Acceptance rate: 100%
With campuses scattered around the state, this trade school is one of the top trade schools in Texas. The school has been operating for the past 40 years.
The school campuses located in different parts of the state are accredited by the Council on Occupational Education and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
On enrolling, you get to choose a program of your choice from the 29 offered by the school. Some of them include:
- Medical assisting technology program
- Automotive technician
- Accounting specialist, and many more.
#2. Texas state technical college
Tuition: $11,250
Acceptance rate: 100%
Just like any other trade school, to get into Texas state technical college, you have to fill in an online application, and then go for an interview for some programs.
Texas state technical college offers diploma degrees and certificates for most of the available programs, a whooping sum of 50 programs. By the end of two years, you can graduate with any certificate depending on what you fill in for.
Some of the programs students can apply for include computer science, dental hygiene, cybersecurity, etc.
There’s something you should know about the school. You can get a refund of your tuition on some courses such as welding, and some others if you graduate and do not get a job.
#3. Universal technical institute
- Tuition: $40,000-$50,000
- Acceptance rate: 100%
If this trade school does not enter our list of top trade schools in Texas, then the list is not complete. The school, located in Dallas, Austin, and Houston only allows on-campus training, and their tuition fees depend on the program.
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If you want to put in for the collision repair program, you will be at the Houston campus as it is one of the few schools that offer the program.
As a student of the school, you are also eligible for some financial aid and scholarship offers.
#4. Fortis College
- Tuition: $22,539
- Acceptance rate: 100%
If a school where you can finish your program in less than two years is what you seek, then Fortis College is for you. It is one of the best trade schools in Texas that offers majors in medical programs.
Some programs include:
- Nursing
- Medical assistant
- Dental assistant
Other programs are available for different skills which include Medical billing and coding, ventilation, etc.
#5. Texas school of continuing education and recruitment
- Tuition: $1200-$2000
- Acceptance rate: 100%
With four branches all over Texas, this school is one of the top trade schools in Texas. They are committed to giving students the best training to enable them to enter the workforce straight after graduation.
The school runs both on-campus and online programs making it easier to have a convenient and flexible schedule.
It is one of the best trade schools because asides from getting an accredited certificate after the conclusion of your program, you get your resume added to the school’s list to help in job placement.
#6. CCI Training center, Arlinton, Texas
- Tuition: $13,980
- Acceptance rate: 100%
Another top trade school in Texas, the Arlinton branch is one of the two branches of CCI, the other one located in Dallas. If getting accelerated training in any of the below-listed programs is your goal, then this trade school is one of the best in it.
- Medical billing and coding
- Pharmacy technology
- Office Administration
- Network Administration
Depending on how you will have it, you can learn both physically and virtually. To enable students to blend easily into the employment space upon graduation, hands-on workshops are conducted.
#7. El Paso community college
- Tuition: $2,518(vary according to number of hours)
- Acceptance rate: 100%
Located in El Paso, and offering over 130 programs, the EPCC is one of the top trade schools in Texas.
The trade school offers more than 300 continuing programs. These programs give those already in the workforce a chance to get more certificates and advanced training.
Programs provided include;
- Health and Fitness
- Law enforcement academy
- Business education etc.
For most of the programs, prior qualifications are required.
#8. Tulsa welding school
- Tuition: $16,195
- Acceptance rate: 100%
Tulsa welding school focuses on giving quality education in many high-demand skills. These include any skills related to welding and cutting processes.
The trade school offers the following certifications:
- Gas metal arc welder
- Flux cored arc welder
- Cutting process operator
- Gas tungsten arc welder
In addition, both old and young (high school graduates) can apply for the program.
#9. Edge tech academy
- Tuition: $15,000
- Acceptance rate: 100%
Also one of the top trade schools in Texas, the instructors at the academy are skilled in providing their students with standard vocational skills.
The trade school runs different programs including:
- Healthcare programs
- Business programs
- Technology
- Skilled trades
So, whether you are looking to have a career as a network technician, or you want to learn some skills like commercial driving, and Basic refrigeration, then Edge Tech Academy is for you.
#10. Grayson College
Tuition: $2952
Acceptance rate: 100%
Grayson College, one of the top trade schools in Texas, offers adult education, continuing education, and dual credit programs.
The programs offered to allow those planning to get a job in the workforce to do so with the Associate of Applied Science degree.
To apply for the programs, you can check the admission requirements on the school’s website.
#11. Lamar Institute of Technology
- Tuition: $14,703
- Acceptance rate: 100%
Another one of the top trade schools in Texas is Lamar Institute of Technology. Offering over 50 certificate programs, graduates of the school tend to get started on their career path earlier than their peers.
The programs offered include but are not limited to:
- Business-office management, real estate
- Technology-welding, instrumentation, industrial mechanics
- Public service and safety
- Continuing education programs that include corporate training are also being offered.
#12. Aviation Institute of Maintenance Programs
- Tuition: $19, 078
- Acceptance rate: 100%
Planning to further your knowledge in aviation maintenance, aircraft repairs, and more, then this aviation trade school in Texas is the place to go.
The program takes about two years to complete. More than aviation programs, the school also offers trade training which allows its students to work in different industries.
They include:
- Combination welding
- Maintenance Technician
- Manufacturing technician
Career majors in aviation include Aviation maintenance technician, Aircraft dispatcher, Avionics technician, etc.
#13. Texas school of Bartending
- Tuition: $350-$700
- Acceptance rate: 100%
This trade school is one of the top trade schools in Texas because they accept as little as a $100 tuition fee down payment. You don’t need to get into debt to learn how to bartend.
Students earn a Texas Alcohol and Beverage Code Certificate on successful completion of the program which can be done in two weeks.
One thing to note is that a minimum age of 18 is required to put in for the program.
#14. Remington College
- Tuition: $16,056
- Acceptance rate: 100%
Remington College provides quality programs like healthcare, trades, business, and technology.
The trade school is committed to giving diplomas to deserving students as Medical assistants Engineering technicians and Medical insurance.
It is one of the best trade schools that offer technical education in Texas.
Programs available to select from are:
- Process technology
- Electronic technology
- Cosmetology
- Culinary skills
- Creative arts
The cost of tuition depends on the course you enrol for. Scholarships are also available for students based on merit.
#15. Central Texas Beauty College
- Tuition: $2,000-$8,450
- Acceptance rate:
The last on our list of top trade schools in Texas, the Central Texas Beauty School sure has earned its spot.
The school has over 60 years of experience in giving the best quality cosmetology courses, all of which are accredited by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
The programs offered by the school are:
- Instructor training
- Cosmetology
- Manicuring
Highest Paying Trade School Jobs In Texas
Getting a high paid job after graduating from a trade school is the goal. That is one major reason why the choice of a skill or trade to learn at the trade school is very important.
Here are some of the highest-paying trade jobs in Texas.
- 1. Trade compliance manager-earning an annual salary of $88,646
- 2. Director of trade marketing-annual salary of $87,359
- 3. Director Global trade compliance-annual salary of $82,214
- 4. International trade director-$81,364
Other high paying trade jobs in Texas include;
- HVAC: with an annual salary of $45,591
- Teacher vocational education-average salary of $64,000
Difference between A Trade School and A College
One would think they are the same but there is a wide difference. While the former requires a few months to two years, the latter requires no less than four years.
A trade school awards a diploma or technical certificate, while Colleges and Universities award Bachelor’s degree.
With a bachelor degree, check out How To Get A 6 Month Bachelor Degree Online
Conclusion
Graduating from a trade school in Texas will open you up to different job opportunities. With your certificate in tech, science, or any skill of your choice, your career goal will be made possible soon enough.
To put all these in motion, go through our list of best trade schools in Texas, and begin your application process.
FAQs on Trade Schools in Texas
Depending on the school, and the skill you want to learn, the requirements vary. Mostly, a high school diploma is required. Some schools also require you to have prior knowledge of some courses before applying. You will also be required to pass an assessment test or interview.
You need to consider the kind of program the school runs. Is it flexible and allows both online and on-campus studies? Also, the specialization of the school, and program accreditations.
Most trade school programs’ duration varies between a few months to two years.
Trade schools in Texas offer programs in healthcare, technology, and other trade skills.
Yes, most of them do.
References
- ziprecruiter.com– Trade Schools Salary in Texas
- onlytradeschools.com– best trade schools in Texas
- education.seattlepi.com- requirements for trades schools
- makedailyprofit.com – 30 Best Highest-Paying Jobs in Texas
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