Top 10 Trade Schools in New Hampshire in 2023: Approved List
Getting training from a trade school is one of the most lucrative and convenient ways to jump-start your career. You may become industry ready in just a few weeks, months, or years depending on the program you choose. One of the best aspects of vocational schools in New Hampshire is they are much cheaper than traditional schools. Let’s dive in to the best trade schools in New Hampshire.

However, you must choose the right program and enroll in an accredited institution to enhance your skills and become a prime candidate for your employers. So, here are some of the best trade schools in New Hampshire that offer accredited programs and courses.
Best Trade Schools in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has several trade schools that offer industry-ready programs in a variety of fields. So, below is a list of the top 10 trade schools in the city, along with their features.
1. New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades
The New Hampshire School of Mechanical Trades focuses on preparing students for work in the plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, and heating industries. The institution also provides classes for obtaining licenses, courses for getting ready for exams, and seminars for continuing education.
You can visit the school and take a walk through the facility to learn more about the courses without a prior appointment. The school will guide you through the lab, equipment, and materials. They will also provide you with a deeper insight into the programs and employment options.
There are two locations for the Mechanical Trades School in New Hampshire Hampton and Manchester. The minimum age requirement for applicants is 18, and they must possess a GED or a High School Diploma. Some classes could have additional specifications.
2. Manchester Community College
More than 60 choices for degrees and certificates are available at Manchester Community College. To include experiential learning in its curricula, the school connects with companies in the Manchester region.
The school offers flexible scheduling and cheap tuition to help students achieve their dream. Among these possibilities are clinical rotations, paid internships, and service-learning assignments. The MCC offers vocational programs in the fields of healthcare, construction, and automotive technology.
Automotive technology, medical assistance, and electrical technology degrees are all offered by the college. A certificate in power sports, welding, robotics, or medical coding is also available to students. The school offers local internship options in clinical rotations, paid internships, and service-learning initiatives.
3. White Mountains Community College
White Mountains Community College is situated just outside the White Mountain National Forest and has its main campus in Berlin as well as academic locations in Littleton and North Conway. The school provides application and orientation free of charge, which makes it an inexpensive school option.
In addition, the Running Start program of the school permits local high school students to enroll in college courses at a discounted rate. At WMCC, you may choose from a large number of associate’s degree and certificate programs. An advanced welding technology certificate and a degree in baking and culinary arts are only a couple of the many different topics covered.
An online certificate program in water quality technology and library technology is available from WMCC. All the programs are suitable for high school graduates looking to join the workforce, people looking to upskill, those who want to switch careers, and students who want to transfer to higher education. The school also offers grants and scholarship opportunities.
4. Heavy Construction Academy
Heavy Equipment Operators can receive training from the Heavy Construction Academy and certification. HCA offers practical training for its pupils. The school constantly reviews and modifies the curriculum to better meet the situation of the economy, the environment, and market demands.
A 6-week certification in equipment operator is available through the school’s heavy equipment operator program. Candidates must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid photo ID, and have a GED or the equivalent.
In addition, they must be able to read and write English at a minimum 8th-grade level, be fluent in math at a minimum 8th-grade level, and meet all other eligibility requirements. Students at HCA receive practical training in several courses, including skin steer training, off-road dump truck training, front-end loader training, and bulldozer training, among others.
5. Franklin Pierce University
Franklin Pierce University develops career-ready abilities by including research, internships, and co-ops in its curricula. Their career-focused associate degrees include specializations in criminal justice and business. You may benefit from the credit for certificates, professional licenses, and on-the-job training that the business curriculum offers.
Students who get a degree in criminal justice are prepared for professions in law enforcement, the judiciary, and prisons by receiving training in these fields. The university supports both experiential learning and intellectual inquiry. It is one of the best technical institutions in New Hampshire and offers associate degrees and certificates to Franklin Pierce students.
Franklin Pierce also provides paralegal studies certificate online that focuses on the practical abilities required in the legal industry. The institution offers career services and academic support to its students.
6. Great Bay Community College
One of New Hampshire’s top trade schools is Great Bay Community College, a public institution located in Portsmouth. More than 50 degrees and certificates in manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and other high-demand sectors are available to students at GBCC.
Nursing, technical studies, surgical technology, and veterinary technology programs are among the vocational degrees offered at GBCC. Students may also obtain certificates in advanced composites manufacturing, motorcycle maintenance, automotive technology, and welding by enrolling in the vocational courses at GBCC.
Courses are available in a certified apprenticeship in addition to its vocational programs to complete classroom teaching while completing hands-on training on the field of the job. The 1 to 6-year apprenticeship programs offered by GBCC cover a variety of fields, such as manufacturing, construction, transportation, and healthcare. GBCC has an open-access admissions policy, which means that all applicants are accepted.
7. Granite State Trade School
Granite State Trade School has excellent teachers, large classrooms, and lab facilities at the school. The training programs offered at the school are suitable for gasfitters, plumbers, and HVAC and refrigeration technicians, among other trades. The average tenure of the school’s lecturers is over 20 years which makes them well-experienced in instructing industry-ready skills.
The first organization to provide the New Hampshire gas licensing examinations was Granite State Trade School. For those who previously held NH licenses and are seeking to renew them, the institution also offers a review course. With sessions accessible during the day, at night, and on Saturdays, the institution offers flexible scheduling.
To improve the Plumber’s Home Study Mentoring Program, Granite State has teamed up with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association. The New England Commission of Higher Education has granted accreditation to Granite State College.
8. North Eastern Institute of Whole Health
The North Eastern Institute of Whole Health offers the biggest massage therapy program in New England. The Institute has a clinic where students may practice their massage skills and develop their people skills.
Students seeking to become licensed as massage therapists in New Hampshire have access to the 750-Hour Massage Therapy Program. If a student completes and passes all courses, they are granted a diploma in massage therapy.
The State of New Hampshire Department of Education’s Higher Education Commission has authorized and licensed the Institute and its academic program. In addition, the Veteran’s Administration has authorized the North Eastern Institute of Whole Health to provide educational benefits.
9. University of New Hampshire
The primary public research university in the state is the University of New Hampshire. For nearly 15,000 students, UNH offers state-of-the-art facilities and career programs from its campus in Durham. At UNH, students can choose from more than 200 academic and vocational programs to help them achieve their professional objectives.
The college provides degrees in applied animal science, civil engineering, and culinary arts that are career-focused. Students have the option of concentrating on animal agriculture, sustainable energy management, or construction management. Students who enroll in the university’s certificate programs receive instruction in stormwater management, soil science, and drone operation.
For honors students, UNH provides an apprenticeship opportunity. Students get financial assistance in the form of fellowship funding while they obtain practical experience. High school certificates and a letter of recommendation, along with the application, are necessary documents required from prospective students. SAT or ACT scores are not mandatory at UNH.
10. Community College at NHTI-Concord
The Community College at NHTI-Concord has more than 90 programs attended by over 4,600 students on the 240-acre Merrimack River campus of the institution. Owing to its engineering, manufacturing, and technology programs, NHTI is one of the best technical institutions in New Hampshire.
Advanced manufacturing, electrical engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, and manufacturing engineering technology are among the programs that students can enroll in at NHTI. Additionally, the institution provides courses in emergency medicine, paralegal studies, and hospitality. NHTI provides certificate programs in orthopedic technology, automation, building inspection, and medical coding.
The workforce training program provided by NHTI helps participants develop the soft skills necessary for job progression. The institution collaborates with nearby companies to develop specific training programs. Through career services, including exams, career counseling, and a job and internship posting board, NHTI assists students in furthering their career goals.
FAQ – Trade Schools in New Hampshire
How much do Trade Schools in New Hampshire cost?
The costs will vary depending on the school you enrol in and the program you are taking. Whether it is a diploma or an associated degree.
End Note
Finding a career that best suits your abilities and interests is simply the first step on the path to a fulfilling one in New Hampshire. You need to pick the programs and institutions wisely because there are so many possibilities available in New Hampshire. So, you must take into account all the important aspects, such as school accreditation, graduation rate, fees, grants, lice

Trade Schools in New Hampshire
- NHTI-Concord’s Community College – Concord
- Granite State College – Concord
- New Hampshire Institute for Therapeutic Arts – Hudson
- Keene State College – Keene
- Keene Beauty Academy – Keene
- Southern New Hampshire University – Manchester
- Manchester Community College – Manchester
- University of New Hampshire at Manchester – Manchester
- Nashua Community College – Nashua
- Rivier University – Nashua
- St Joseph School of Nursing – Nashua