Online Trade School Programs: What You Can (and Can't) Learn Remotely
The booming market for online vocational training is full of genuine opportunity — and genuine traps. Here's how to tell the difference.
Read article →Vocational & Trade Schools
Find certificate programs and hands-on training in 7,012 schools nationwide
Start Your Career with Vocational Training
Vocational schools offer hands-on training programs that prepare students for specific careers. Unlike traditional four-year colleges, vocational programs typically take weeks to months to complete, allowing you to enter the workforce faster.
Browse our directory of accredited vocational schools to find programs in beauty, healthcare, skilled trades, technology, and more.
Browse by Category
Beauty Schools
Cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, barbering, and salon management programs.
2,725 schoolsTrade Schools
HVAC, welding, electrical, plumbing, automotive, and construction programs.
1,020 schoolsHealthcare Schools
Medical assisting, dental assisting, phlebotomy, CNA, and nursing programs.
1,546 schoolsTechnology Schools
IT, computer networking, cybersecurity, and software development programs.
1,296 schoolsCulinary Schools
Culinary arts, pastry, baking, and hospitality management programs.
360 schoolsArticles & Guides
Explore our collection of articles about vocational education, trade schools, and career training paths.
Trade School vs. College: The Complete Cost, Career, and Outcome Comparison
A closer look at the numbers—and the questions—behind one of the biggest decisions families face. Compare costs, debt, earnings, and job market data.
Read article → The Hands That Heal: Healthcare Vocational Programs and the Fastest Path to a Medical Career Without a Four-Year Degree
A comprehensive guide to healthcare vocational programs—from phlebotomy certificates to dental hygiene degrees—covering salary data, accreditation, stackable credentials, and career pathways into medicine without a four-year degree.
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Highest-Paying Trade School Careers: Salary Data, Job Growth, and How to Get There
A data-driven guide to the highest-paying trade school careers, with salary data from BLS May 2024 statistics, job growth projections through 2034, and how to enter each field.
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How to Pay for Trade School: FAFSA, Pell Grants, Scholarships, and Every Financial Aid Option
A complete guide to paying for trade school—covering FAFSA eligibility, Pell Grants, state free-tuition programs, trade-specific scholarships, employer reimbursement, and apprenticeships.
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Is Culinary School Worth the Investment?
A clear-eyed guide to culinary school costs, chef salaries, career paths, and whether formal culinary education is worth the investment compared to learning on the job.
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Is Cosmetology School Worth It?
A data-driven guide to cosmetology school costs, salary reality, licensing requirements, and career paths in the beauty industry.
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The CNA Pipeline
An honest guide to becoming a CNA—covering demand, daily work, training requirements, pay reality, and whether the CNA-to-LPN-to-RN career ladder actually works for most people.
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Healthcare Careers That Don't Require a Four-Year Degree
A side-by-side comparison of six healthcare careers that don't require a bachelor's degree—with 2024 salary data, job growth projections, and credential stacking strategies.
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Beyond the Kitchen
Explore the unexpected culinary careers beyond the restaurant kitchen—from R&D chefs and food technologists to sustainability consultants and content creators—and what they mean for your kid's future.
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What Culinary School Actually Teaches You (That YouTube Can't)
What does culinary school actually teach that YouTube and online tutorials can't? From tacit knowledge and food safety to professional networks and kitchen management, here's what formal culinary education really delivers.
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Building a Beauty Career in 2026: From Salon Chair to Six Figures
How beauty industry compensation really works, what determines whether you earn $30,000 or $130,000, and how social media and suite rentals are reshaping the business model.
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State Licensing Requirements for Cosmetologists: What You Need to Know Before Enrolling
A state-by-state guide to cosmetology licensing: training hours, exams, reciprocity rules, school accreditation, and what families need to understand before choosing a beauty school.
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Is College Worth It?
What the data actually says about the value of a degree. College graduates earn $1.2 million more over their careers, but ROI varies dramatically by field and institution.
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The New Vocational Education: Meeting America
How America is rediscovering the value of skilled trades education as the country faces a profound labor shortage, with modern CTE programs, apprenticeships, and infrastructure investments driving a vocational renaissance.
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The Comeback of Vocational Schools
How Gen Z is embracing vocational schools and skilled trades as an alternative to college, amid a growing labor shortage and changing attitudes about career paths.
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The Diploma and the Torque Wrench
How career and technical education is transforming American high schools, giving students real-world skills and clarity about their futures.
Read article →Browse by State
California (739)
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New Jersey (166)
Virginia (165)
Puerto Rico (163)
Missouri (162)
Massachusetts (161)
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Oklahoma (136)
Indiana (130)
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Washington (110)
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Kentucky (104)
Arkansas (103)
Colorado (98)
Utah (95)
Wisconsin (95)
Maryland (93)
Minnesota (91)
Alabama (87)
Kansas (84)
West Virginia (83)
Iowa (79)
Oregon (73)
Connecticut (71)
Mississippi (66)
Nevada (55)
Idaho (49)
New Mexico (48)
Nebraska (36)
New Hampshire (35)
Maine (33)
Montana (29)
North Dakota (28)
Rhode Island (27)
South Dakota (27)
Delaware (23)
Hawaii (21)
District of Columbia (18)
Vermont (14)
Wyoming (11)
Alaska (9)
Quick Facts
- Total Schools: 7,012
- Beauty Schools: 2,725
- Trade Schools: 1,020
- Healthcare Programs: 1,546
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Why Choose Vocational School?
- Shorter program duration (weeks to months)
- Lower tuition costs than traditional colleges
- Hands-on, practical training
- Direct path to employment
- Industry-specific certifications
- Flexible scheduling options
Quick Poll
Question: What's most important to you when choosing a vocational school?