Top 16 Trade Schools in Arizona 2023: Learn A New Skill

Trade and vocational programs are widely available in Arizonan schools. Affordability is excellent advantage trade schools provide. It can be cheaper for students to attend an Arizona trade school because they have lower tuition fees than the usual 4-year university courses. Medical assistants, electricians, ultrasound technicians, and paramedics are some of the best career options for trade school alums.

Best Trade Schools in Arizona

Besides, you can also go for professions in trade services, aerospace, and healthcare through vocational programs and trade schooling. Lessons related to various fields, including healthcare, law, cosmetology, and technology, are taught to students in vocational and trade schools so that they can explore diverse job opportunities.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, trade students with professional certification have more excellent employment rates than those with an academic degree. In addition, internships, apprenticeships, or practicums are frequently used as part of vocational programs to supplement classroom instruction.

Best Trade Schools in Arizona

So, in this article, we have put forth the top 16 trade schools in Arizona. Based on your requirements and preferences, you can enroll in any of the following institutes and have a great future ahead!

1. GateWay Community College

Over 160 associate’s and bachelor’s degrees and certificates are available at GateWay Community College in Central City. It is one of the best trade schools in Arizona. Some open trades include electrician, HVAC, production tech, precision machinist, and welder.

However, students must complete credits or a set number of hours to achieve degrees and certificates from this trade school. In between 11 and 24 months, students must finish 61 to 76 credits.

Applicants must submit application forms and high school records or qualify for a placement exam to get admission into GateWay Community College. Every new student must complete pre-enrollment sessions. Besides, work experience is necessary for some trades.

2. American Institute of Dental Assisting

The American Institute of Dental Assisting offers a 13-week dental assisting training course in a genuine dental office. By opting for the institute’s Mesa and Phoenix dental assistant programs, students receive practical training in the clinic with doctors serving patients in real-time.

However, convenient day, evening, and weekend schedules are available to students. Also, staff members at the school aid students in getting work following graduation. Many graduates of this program get employed in the dental clinics where they did their externships.

Moreover, comparable training is available from the American School of Dental Assisting for a considerable discount. Besides, there are additional alternatives to county subsidies, private funding, and flexible payment plans for students who qualify.

3. Allen School of Health Sciences – Phoenix Campus

The Phoenix campus of the recognized Allen School of Health Sciences offers medical aid services to residents. It became an institution in 1961 and is today a third-generation family-owned business.

The trade school provides practical training for administrative and clinical tasks, front-office operations, and communication. It also supports students in beginning their professions by training them in writing effective CVs and grooming them for interviews. Usually, hospitals, physician offices, clinics, and home care organizations hire these graduates.

4. Pima Community College

More than 150 programs are available at Pima Community College. It is a public 2-year course-based institution founded in 1966 to help students prepare for high-demand jobs in Arizona.

The institution is one of Arizona’s top-ranked trade schools, offering associate degrees and certifications in hospitality, manufacturing, information systems, and construction. Finishing most certificate and associate programs depends on the program, but it usually takes 1-2 years.

For instance, the associate degree in health information technology comprises 64 credits and takes 2 years to finish. In contrast, the medical billing and coding certificate will require roughly 30 credits and can be completed in 1 year.

Prior learning credits allow students to graduate more quickly and save money. Activity experience, volunteer work, and military training that meets the criteria are all accepted by the institution as credits.

5. Paul Mitchell the School, Phoenix

With a start date almost every month, Paul Mitchell the School, Phoenix, offers cosmetology, aesthetics, and teaching programs. The National Commission for Career Arts and Sciences has accredited the institution.

The course this trade school offers costs only $19,125 annually. However, to enroll in it, students must fill out an application. You also need to provide 2 pictures, an essay, high school transcripts, a GED certificate, and identification papers.

After admission, you must spend 1,700 hours in the classroom and clinic as part of your graduation requirements.

6. Southwest Truck Driving Training, LLC

An independent truck driving school, Southwest Truck Driving Training, LLC, provides CDL training that is both reasonable and of the highest caliber. In 1999, Gary P. Williams and a small group of his family and friends established the school.

There are three sites for the Southwest Truck Driving Training School: North Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Tucson. Expert professors are available every campus to provide students with the required practical instruction.

Many bilingual teachers help students requiring support with language translation from Spanish to English. Each campus features a professional training team and high-end business equipment. Thus, all graduates of this institute will receive lifelong career placement assistance for all positions in the transportation industry.

For Class A, B, C, and Bus Training, Southwest Truck Driver Training has licenses from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles and the Arizona Department of Transportation. In addition, it hires third-party testers for on-site CDL testing.

Besides, the school offers several funding options, including state grants, internal finance, and GI Bill®, to help with the expense of CDL training. If you’re looking trade schools in Tucson AZ, Southwest Truck Driving Training is a great choice.

7. Central Arizona College

Central Arizona College was founded in 1969 and primarily serves the Native American and Hispanic populations in Pinal County. 5 campuses, 3 extension centers, and the college’s website all welcome students.

Accounting, hotel and restaurant management, radiologic technology, network technologies, and automated industrial technology are some fields in which students can pursue associate degrees and certifications. Students have direct access to the college’s Career and Transfer Center, which provides career evaluations and help with writing resumes and preparing for interviews.

Besides, Central Arizona College collaborates with various organizations to offer apprenticeship programs in electrical, industrial maintenance, and welding. These businesses occasionally cover the tuition fee and other costs associated with students’ schooling.

However, along with submitting transcripts, applicants must pass a placement test to get admission into this famous Arizonan trade school.

8. Regional Center for Border Health

The 1987-founded Regional Center for Border Health offers professional courses for those who want to work as medical office experts, nursing assistants, medical coders and billers, phlebotomy technicians, nutrition and food services managers, caretakers, and food handlers. The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools has granted the institute certificate.

However, applicants must have a high school diploma or GED to apply to this trade school. Also, they must have a Test for Adult Basic Education score of at least 8.0 and be 18 years old.

To graduate successfully, students must finish their degree and internship requirements, including CPR certification. Nevertheless, the tuition fees and additional expenses may sum up to $4,728, which is relatively low.

9. Arizona Contractor License Center

The top testing facility for contractors in Arizona is the Arizona Contractor License Center. It has been serving Arizona contractors since 1972. Every kind of contractor can attend activities that this school offers.

Industry experts who are also educators teach students here. Through its test preparation services, the school trains contractors to pass the licensure examinations for Arizona State Contractors. It even offers a pass guarantee to pupils. Hence, the authorities will refund money to students who do not qualify for the test.

The Contractor License Center provides test preparation in several sites throughout Arizona and Utah. In all, approximately 60,000 contractors have been licensed as of 2018, thanks to the efforts of the Arizona and Utah centers.

The institute also provides state application filing services. The fee to prepare for the Trade Test is $250, while the cost of exam preparation for Business Management is $150.

10. Chandler-Gilbert Community College

The tiny public community college, Chandler-Gilbert Community College, was founded in 1985 that strongly emphasized experiential learning. More than 70 degrees, certificates, and trade programs are available here. Besides, there are 3 regional campuses, the main campus in Chandler, and online learning options for students.

The institute offers certificates and associate degrees for students interested in high-demand employment opportunities in fields like accounting, digital imaging, and information systems. In addition, associate degrees in mortuary science, airway science, and aircraft maintenance technology are available to students.

The college’s Environmental Technology Center trains students for professions in food waste recycling. Students can also get practical training through study abroad possibilities and volunteer work at nearby organizations.

11. The Refrigeration School Inc.

Trade programs that may complete in as short as 6 months are available from The Refrigeration School Inc. Students can major in welding, HVAC and refrigeration, or electrical applications in this school.

Usually, a high school diploma or GED certificate is a prerequisite for admission and application here. Also, you must finish the needed classes, lab sessions, contact hours, and extra preparation time to graduate from the school.

The cost of tuition is $20,784 in The Refrigeration School Inc. Besides, and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges has granted the school accreditation.

12. Pima Medical Institute-East Valley

On-campus courses, associate degrees, and certifications are available at Pima Medical Institute-East Valley. The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools has accredited the school.

Associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees can all be earned online through distance study. Among the available programs are medical help, dental assistance, medical billing and coding, and a healthcare administration certificate.

Candidates must possess a GED or high school diploma to get admission or apply for the course. $18,455 is the price of the programs offered here. Nevertheless, a student must earn 35 credits, including an externship, during the 9-23 months interval for successful graduation.

13. Arizona Western College

Arizona Western College provides almost 100 degrees and certifications in academic and professional career sectors, making it one of Arizona’s finest vocational institutions. Students can enroll in courses related to various industries, including television production, computer information systems, and accountancy.

The institute assists students in finding work in their desired field of study via its job training program, which the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act support. Also, it offers online seminars and specialized on-site training through its workforce educational extension development program.

Besides, students can enroll in non-credit seminars that provide CPR instructions, public speaking qualities, and computer skills. High school students can enjoy subsidized tuition fees while the students in Arizona and California pay in-state tuition rates.

14. Altrain Medical & Dental Assisting Academy

Students who want to assist doctors or dentists in practice are taught and trained at Altrain Medical & Dental Assisting Academy. It provides a 3-month dental assisting curriculum that covers chairside, radiography, coronal polishing, and an introduction to dentistry. Future medical assistants are also trained in the institution in 4 months.

Phlebotomy, clinical patient care, and pharmacology are all included in the medical assistant course.

Besides, the student-teacher ratio in Altrain’s programs is 8:1, and the teachers have a combined total of more than 50 years of practical expertise. Thus, 90% of students get jobs after graduation.

15. Motorcycle Mechanics Institute

Phoenix students can enroll in the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute to obtain the essential expertise to work as technicians in the motorcycle industry. This trade school has been operating for over 55 years, helping students become qualified motorcycle tech experts.

The institute provides a 42-week training curriculum that covers a wide range of topics. It includes engine diagnostics and troubleshooting, drivability evaluation, and test performance.

The organization furthermore offers specific instructions for bikes made by top manufacturers in the sector.

16. Cochise College

The 1964-founded Cochise College offers a range of associate degrees, certifications, and non-credit courses to accommodate working students. Many of their classes are available to students online or on campus.

Associate degrees in culinary arts, professional pilot technology, and automotive technology are available from this trade school that offers workforce preparation. Medical aiding, home construction technology, and law enforcement professional credentials are also available to students.

Besides providing internships to its students, Cochise College continues to work with regional and international businesses.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 16:1, the school provides each student with individualized attention. Also, the college’s career advisors provide students with enhanced career guidance based on their abilities and interests.

Final Thoughts

A regular college is typically more expensive and takes longer to finish than a trade school. Thus, graduates of the trade schools mentioned above pay less for their education and attend college for a shorter period while bagging jobs in various professional sectors.

Trade students can start many occupations that offer decent pay and prospects for ongoing professional progress with accelerated certifications and diplomas within months or even weeks. They can take training programs in degree programs like welding, culinary arts, nursing, carpentry, electrical technology, and more. Arizonans can further enhance their trade skills through apprenticeship programs offered by these schools.

Trade Schools in Arizona

The below list of trade schools are available in Arizona.

Arizona Trade Schools by City