NY School Directory
Compare 50 accredited trade schools across 17 cities — tuition, programs, and NY licensing rules
50
Schools
17
Cities
15
Trade Programs
New York has one of the largest concentrations of trade schools and apprenticeship programs in the country, spread across NYC, Long Island, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany. The state combines union-backed apprenticeships in construction trades with private career colleges in healthcare, IT, and beauty — giving students more pathways than almost any other state.
NY's construction pipeline (driven by NYC infrastructure, Hudson Yards-style projects, and a statewide push to repair aging utilities) has created persistent demand for electricians, plumbers, HVAC techs, and welders. Outside the city, healthcare and CDL training dominate enrollment, with employers like Northwell, Mount Sinai, and major regional hospitals hiring directly out of programs.
Based on hiring activity, employer demand, and program enrollment in NY.
Strong union pipeline (IBEW Local 3) plus residential/commercial demand in NYC and Long Island
NYC building decarbonization (Local Law 97) is creating retrofitting jobs
High-volume hospital systems and outpatient clinics across the state
Last-mile logistics demand from NYC port and warehouse expansion
Bridge, MTA, and infrastructure repair work statewide
Typical range
$6,000–$22,000
Total tuition
Listed school avg.
$11,567
Across 50 schools
Schools listed
50
In 17 cities
See our full trade school cost guide for state-by-state breakdowns and a deeper look at how to fund your training.
Trade licensing in NY varies by program. Here's what you'll typically need to legally work in each field after training:
| Trade | NY Requirement |
|---|---|
| Electrician | Licensed at the city/county level (NYC requires Master Electrician licensure through DOB) |
| Plumber | NYC requires Master Plumber license; upstate licensing varies by municipality |
| HVAC Technician | EPA 608 federally; NYC requires DOB refrigeration certificate for larger systems |
| CDL | Class A/B issued by NY DMV; NYC adds Hazmat fingerprinting for tanker work |
| Cosmetology | 1,000 hours minimum + NY State Board exam |
Most trade school programs in New York take between 6 weeks (CDL) and 24 months (electrician, HVAC, vet tech). Healthcare programs like medical assistant typically run 9-12 months. Union apprenticeships run 4-5 years but pay you while you train.
Trade school in New York typically costs $6,000-$22,000 depending on the program. Public community colleges (CUNY, SUNY) are at the low end; private career colleges in NYC are at the high end. Most programs accept federal financial aid (Pell Grants, federal loans) and many accept GI Bill benefits.
Most accredited trade schools in NY accept federal financial aid. Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov to see what you qualify for. Pell Grants can cover up to $7,395/year and do not need to be repaid.
Median listed tuition across 31 New York schools that publish a price is $6,930, ranging from $849 to $42,504. The table below breaks that down by program — every figure comes from the tuition these schools publish, not a national average.
| Program | Programs | Median tuition | Range | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🩺 Medical Assistant | 31 | $6,389 | $849–$42,000 | 9-12 months |
| 💻 IT & Networking | 19 | $6,930 | $3,500–$32,000 | 6-24 months |
| ⚡ Electrician | 18 | $6,995 | $3,500–$28,000 | 9-24 months |
| ❄️ HVAC Technician | 17 | $6,565 | $895–$28,000 | 6-24 months |
| 🪚 Carpentry | 17 | $6,930 | $3,500–$18,400 | 6-24 months |
| 🔥 Welding | 14 | $5,853 | $5,056–$18,400 | 6-18 months |
| 🚗 Automotive Technician | 14 | $10,112 | $5,662–$35,100 | 6-24 months |
| 💊 Pharmacy Technician | 14 | $6,830 | $849–$16,500 | 6-12 months |
| 👨🍳 Culinary Arts | 14 | $6,963 | $4,800–$42,504 | 6-24 months |
| 💇 Cosmetology | 13 | $11,806 | $6,830–$15,500 | 9-15 months |
| 🔧 Plumbing | 11 | $6,995 | $3,500–$18,400 | 9-24 months |
| 🦷 Dental Assistant | 10 | $6,392 | $5,208–$15,500 | 9-12 months |
| 🐾 Veterinary Technician | 6 | $5,948 | $2,495–$32,000 | 18-24 months |
| 🚚 CDL Training | 4 | $5,853 | $5,662–$10,112 | 3-8 weeks |
| 💆 Massage Therapy | 3 | $11,500 | $11,500 | 6-12 months |
Based on the 50 schools listed on Trade Schools Review in New York. Median is calculated across programs with a published tuition figure; schools that quote on request are excluded. Confirm current pricing with the school.
The lowest published tuition among New York schools in our directory. Public community and technical colleges dominate this list — they charge in-district rates for the same credentials private career colleges sell at several times the price.
New York, NY · Private Career College
$849
listed tuition
Bronx, NY · Private Trade School
$2,200
listed tuition
Queens, NY · Community College
$4,500
listed tuition
Garden City, NY · Vocational Institute
$4,500
listed tuition
New York, NY · Public Community College
$4,800
listed tuition
Albany, NY · Vocational Institute
$5,000
listed tuition
Troy, NY · Community College
$5,056
listed tuition
Bronx, NY · Public Community College
$5,208
listed tuition
New York has the most options in the state with 15 schools. Pick a city to compare local programs, tuition, and schedules.
50 East Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10468
$2,200
400 students
1380 Metropolitan Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462
$8,000
250 students
2155 University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453
N/A
N/A students
500 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451
$5,208
N/A students
445 Park Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11216
N/A
N/A students
375 86th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11209
N/A
N/A students
2001 Oriental Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11235
N/A
N/A students
300 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
$6,930
13,767 students
2384 86th St, Brooklyn, NY 11214
N/A
N/A students
30 West 32nd Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001
$9,000
200 students
3 East 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017
$25,000
1,500 students
254 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019
$22,000
700 students
45 Eighth Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10018
$13,500
250 students
199 Chambers St, New York, NY 10007
$4,800
N/A students
1501 Broadway Suite 700, New York, NY 10036
N/A
N/A students
160 Convent Ave, New York, NY 10031
N/A
N/A students
225 Liberty St Floor 3, New York, NY 10281
$42,504
N/A students
254 W 54th St, New York, NY 10019
N/A
N/A students
211 E 43rd St 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017
N/A
N/A students
25 Broadway Floor 16, New York, NY 10004
$15,381
N/A students
145 West 30th St 8th Floor, New York, NY 10001
N/A
N/A students
312 W 36th St 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10018
$849
N/A students
500 8th Ave Suite 5N, New York, NY 10018
N/A
N/A students
395 Hudson St 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014
$0
N/A students
110 William St 19th Floor, New York, NY 10038
N/A
N/A students
321 E 96th St, New York, NY 10128
$0
N/A students
226 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001
N/A
N/A students
545 8th Ave 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10018
N/A
N/A students
633 Jefferson Rd, Rochester, NY 14623
N/A
N/A students
525 Titus Ave, Rochester, NY 14617
N/A
N/A students
1000 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623
$5,662
8,641 students
31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
$4,500
18,000 students
118-33 Queens Boulevard, Forest Hills, NY 11375
$15,450
800 students
222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11364
$5,500
14,000 students
683 Northland Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14211
$5,500
600 students
121 Ellicott St, Buffalo, NY 14203
$5,853
8,364 students
360 Choate Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14220
$24,000
1,200 students
With 50 options to compare, choosing the right trade school takes some research. Here are some key factors to consider when evaluating programs in NY: