In short
Trade school, also called vocational or technical school, trains you for a specific job like electrician, medical assistant or HVAC technician. Programs typically run from a few weeks to two years and end in a certificate, diploma or associate degree. Community colleges and private schools both offer them, and accredited programs can qualify for federal aid.
What you can study
Most trade programs fall into a few families: construction and repair trades, healthcare support and technician roles, transportation like trucking and auto repair, beauty and personal care, and office or computer support. Browse them in our jobs without a degree lists.
Guides in this section
How long it takes
How long trade school takes for common careers, from weeks for CNA or CDL to two years for an associate degree, plus what changes the timeline.
Choosing a school
How to pick a trade school you can trust: accreditation, licensing exam pass rates, true total cost, schedules and hiring outcomes.
Is it worth it
A clear way to decide if trade school is worth it for you: cost after aid, time out of work, expected pay, and how fast it pays back.
Online trade school
Which trade and career programs work online, which need in-person labs or clinicals, and how to check an online school's accreditation.
Questions to ask
The questions to ask a trade school admissions rep about cost, outcomes, schedules, clinicals and aid, plus what a good answer sounds like.
Cost
What goes into the cost of trade school, why prices vary so much between schools, how to find a program's real price and lower it.
Adult learners
How adults go back to trade school: evening and part-time programs, credit for experience, aid with no age limit and fitting school around work.
Two free tools to check a school
- College Navigator shows accreditation, costs and graduation rates.
- College Scorecard shows earnings and debt for many programs.
Want to see programs near you?
Tell us what you are interested in and we will show nearby schools.
Questions people ask
Is trade school the same as community college?
Not exactly. Community colleges offer trade programs plus transfer degrees; private trade schools focus only on job training.
Do I need a high school diploma?
Most programs require a diploma or GED. Our GED guide can help.
Can I get financial aid for trade school?
Yes, at accredited schools that take part in federal aid, if you qualify.