Top 7 Trade Schools in Colorado

Attending a regular college may not be the cup of tea for everyone. Lack of finance, time constraints, and other obligations should not hold you from gaining higher education after school. Trade schools in Colorado offer plenty of options for prospective students to begin their journey toward a lucrative career.

This article lists the best trade schools you can get into in Colorado. These schools offer a variety of programs and facilities to help you gain all the necessary skills you will need for the workforce.

Best Trade Schools in Colorado

Below is the list of the best trade schools in Colorado where you can expect to get an excellent education in the field of your choice.

1. Pickens Technical College

Located in Aurora, Colorado, Pickens Technical College offers more than 25 certificate programs. The school gives students the chance to learn in-demand knowledge, skills, and work practices that will help them excel in the workplace. After completing the majority of programs, students will be given a diploma and transcript that they can use to transfer to any Colorado community college or regional technical school, or college in their field of study.

The school offers programs in various fields, such as arts & technology, skilled trades, business & marketing, health, human services, and natural sciences. Some of the programs include electronics technician, multimedia graphic design, cyber technician, professional photography, dental assisting, marketing, pharmacy technician, nurse aide, practical nursing, environmental horticulture, and more.

Based on eligibility and merit, the financial aid office provides grants, scholarships, and work-study options for post-secondary students. The school also authorizes veterans to get funds from the Veterans Administration for their studies. Pickens Technical College is governed by the Board of Education for the Aurora Public Schools and is recognized as an accredited institution by the Council on Occupational Education.

2. Colorado Mountain College

Colorado Mountain College offers bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and certificates to help make students a valuable addition to the community. You may engage with real-world experience outside of the classroom through practical coursework, fieldwork, and internships. These help students gain the skills they will use in their work environment. The college dedicates itself to providing an affordable, top-notch education that makes a skillful labor force.

The programs offered include computer technician, bookkeeper, action sports technician, addiction studies emphasis, advanced emergency medical technician, anthropology emphasis, avalanche field technician, bakery arts, biology emphasis, basic culinary skills, business administration, criminal justice, digital production, fire science technology, geographic information systems, hospitality management, welding design and fabrication, and many more.

The school has a student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1. This provides the intimate setting students would anticipate from a small, private college. The tuition fee for the programs ranges from $100 to $550 per credit hour. The students can opt for financial aid such as scholarships, work-study programs, grants, or a combination of these. Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation is granted to Colorado Mountain College.

3. IntelliTec College

IntelliTec College offers programs that prepare you for the workforce in a matter of months or even weeks. The school offers individualized attention from staff and professors to help students meet their financial and career objectives. The college provides practical instruction and experience, the opportunity to pass certification exams tailored to certain industries, and support in locating full-time employment in their field of study. In addition, the school provides job placement assistance for its graduates.

The programs offered include massage therapy, cosmetology, medical assistant, nursing assistant, medical billing and coding specialist, refrigeration and HVAC technician, computer systems technician, dental assistant, automotive technician, and electrical technician. In addition, the school also offers an adult education program. The career services team at the college will assist you with interview coaching, job search networking, resume & cover letter writing, career consultation, and externships.

The school’s financial aid department will help you find the right plan depending on your current situation. These could include federal Pell Grant, work-study opportunities, and more. The Commission on Accreditation of Career Schools and Colleges has granted IntelliTec College accreditation. The Colorado Association of Career Colleges and Schools (CACCS) and the Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) both recognize IntelliTec College as a member.

4. Technical College of the Rockies

Technical College of the Rockies provides high-quality career and technical education programs through improving technical and employability skills. It is a public institution offering a superior learning environment and promoting the well-being of the students and the community. As the representative for postsecondary vocational education in Western Colorado, the institution has been appointed by the Colorado State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education.

The programs offered include FFT2 wildland firefighter, phlebotomy, solid works, electrician apprentice, Cosmetology to Barbering, intravenous therapy for the medical assistant, EMT IV therapy, welding, AutoCAD basics, professional drone flight pilot, intro to drone flight basics, CPR, veterinary assistant, nurse aide, medical assistant, massage therapy, nail technician, esthetician, cosmetology, civil computer-aided drafting & design, automotive service technician, maintenance & light repair, and more.

The school offers several financial aid options, including FAFSA, CASFA, GI Bill^®, COSI scholarship, workforce opportunities, ARPA Grant, and other scholarships and grants. The Council on Occupational Education has given the school national recognition. The Colorado Community College System approved and recognized the school. The Delta County Joint School District Board of Education is in charge of the college.

5. Colorado Technical University

To provide working adults and busy adults with the necessary academic flexibility, Colorado Technical University provides both on-campus and online courses. The institution provides a wide range of educational pathways and learning possibilities, whether you wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree or are going back to school to enroll in a graduate program. The programs are made to provide you with chances to quicken your learning, communicate with professors and mentors, and learn how to further your education.

The programs offered at the Colorado Springs campus include business administration, accounting, RN-BSN, healthcare management, electronics technology, and information technology, among several other bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs. The students at the Denver South campus can enroll in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, including criminal justice – forensics investigations, computer science, business administration, and information technology.

Your qualifying employment and military service may also be worth college credit. The Financial Aid Advisors can help you choose the right financial aid option. Your choices may include grants, scholarships, tuition reimbursement, federal and state loans, payment plans, work-study programs, and private loans. The school also offers military benefits. Colorado Technical University has received recognition from the Higher Learning Commission.

6. Colorado Northwestern Community College

Established in 1962, the settings and facilities of Colorado Northwestern Community College are ideal for meeting your educational demands. By offering a reasonable, accessible, and high-quality education, the school seeks to improve the lives of its students. Students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to advance their education. They will be able to find meaningful employment and thrive in a complex and more diverse society with the outreach education, innovative teaching, and ongoing evaluation offered at the school.

The programs offered at the school include agriculture, arts and science, animal science, automotive technology, aviation maintenance technology, cybersecurity, emergency medical services, early childhood education, cosmetology, dental hygiene, national park ranger, history, psychology, mine training, aviation technology – flight, paleontology, and marine science and oceanography. Options for community programming and workforce training are also available at the school.

The career counseling services at the college help students find careers, occupations, and degree programs that suit their goals. The tuition cost for the programs can range from $5,439 to $8,569 for a 30-credit program. The school offers financial aid options to students on a first-come, first-serve basis. Veteran and military benefits are also available. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has granted Colorado Northwestern Community College regional recognition.

7. Community College of Aurora

The Community College of Aurora focuses on providing education at practical times and places to fit your busy schedules. They provide a wide range of programs, so whether you want to effortlessly transition into a bachelor program with your first two years already finished or get right into the field with an in-demand certification, we have coursework to meet your objectives. More than 60 degrees and certifications in transfer and occupational education are available to students, and the basic courses from CCA are guaranteed to transfer to Colorado state colleges and universities.

The programs offered psychology, sociology, human resource management, cybersecurity, networking, graphic & web design, applied technology, early childhood education, elementary education, integrated nursing program, respiratory therapy, phlebotomy, patient care technician, fire science, paralegal, civil engineering, diesel power mechanics, construction superintendent, translation & interpretation, communication, computer science, IT tech & support, and many more.

To help students create, carry out, and complete academic programs that advance their career and life goals, Pathway Advisors work in partnership with them. In addition to federal PELL Grants, student loans, and work-study, CCA participates in a wide range of state, local, and private financial assistance schemes. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has given the Community College of Aurora recognition and accreditation.

Winding Up

Vocational schools in Colorado provide students to engage in practical education to hone their skills in the relevant fields. The schools offer an engaging environment to provide students a healthy and gainful learning to become better parts of the community. Students can get detailed information on the programs by visiting the official websites of the institutions.

Trade Schools in Colorado

The below list of trade schools are available in Colorado.

Community College of Aurora – Aurora
Empire Beauty School – Aurora
Concorde Career College – Aurora
Pickens Technical College – Aurora
Pima Medical Institute – Aurora
University of Colorado Boulder – Boulder
Rolf Institute of Structural Integration – Boulder
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts – Boulder
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology – Broomfield
International Salon and Spa Academy – Colorado Springs
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs – Colorado Springs
The Salon Professional Academy – Colorado Springs
Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy – Colorado Springs
Pikes Peak Community College – Colorado Springs
Colorado Technical University – Colorado Springs
Pima Medical Institute – Colorado Springs
Intellitec College – Colorado Springs
Regis University – Denver
Aspen University – Denver
University of Denver – Denver
Lincoln College of Technology – Denver
Emily Griffith Technical College – Denver
Pima Medical Institute – Denver
Community College of Denver – Denver
Metropolitan State University of Denver – Denver
Aveda Institute – Denver
IBMC College – Fort Collins
Tuana European Beauty Academy – Fort Collins
Colorado State University Fort Collins – Fort Collins
Cheeks Beauty Academy – Forty Collins
The Salon Professional Academy – Grand Junction
Colorado Mesa University – Grand Junction
Intellitec College – Grand Junction
University of Northern Colorado – Greeley
Aims Community College – Greeley
Colorado School of Trades – Lakewood
Colorado Christian University – Lakewood
Red Rocks Community College – Lakewood
Arapahoe Community College – Littleton
Empire Beauty School – Littleton
Colorado State University Pueblo – Pueblo
Pueblo Community College – Pueblo
Elevate Salon Institute – Westminster
DeVry University – Westminster
Front Range Community College – Westminster