San Antonio, TX Trade Schools
Browse 5 accredited trade schools and vocational training programs in San Antonio, Texas
5
Schools
14
Trade Programs
TX
State
San Antonio is one of the largest trade school markets in Texas, anchored by the Alamo Colleges District (San Antonio College, St. Philip's College, Northwest Vista College, Northeast Lakeview College, Palo Alto College — five colleges combined make it one of the largest community college systems in the country). St. Philip's College in particular has a 125+ year history of trades education. Specialty private institutions like South Texas Vocational Technical Institute (STVT) and the Southern Careers Institute San Antonio add depth, and the city's role as a major military, healthcare, and energy hub keeps skilled trade demand high.
San Antonio's trade economy is shaped by the military presence (Joint Base San Antonio is the largest military installation in the Department of Defense), a deep healthcare network anchored by University Health, Methodist Healthcare, Baptist Health, and the Southwest Research Institute, the Eagle Ford Shale energy industry that employs welders and CDL drivers across South Texas, and rapid residential and commercial construction across Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe counties. Toyota Manufacturing Texas and the Toyota supplier base in San Antonio drive industrial maintenance and welding demand.
The five Alamo Colleges are spread across the metro: San Antonio College (downtown/midtown), St. Philip's College (East Side, with the Southwest Campus south of downtown), Northwest Vista College (far Northwest), Northeast Lakeview College (Universal City near JBSA-Randolph), and Palo Alto College (South Side). STVT has campuses across South Texas. Most students choose by both commute and the trades each campus specializes in — St. Philip's Southwest Campus is particularly well-known for skilled trades.
San Antonio is a sprawling, car-dependent metro. VIA Metropolitan Transit serves several campuses, but most students drive. Many programs run evening and weekend cohorts to fit working students. The TEXAS Grant and TPEG provide need-based aid for Texas residents at Alamo Colleges. Active-duty military, veterans, and their dependents qualify for tuition assistance plus the Hazlewood Act benefit at public Texas institutions.
Based on local hiring activity and employer demand in the San Antonio metro.
Year-round AC demand plus rapid residential construction across Bexar, Comal, and Guadalupe counties
Toyota Manufacturing Texas supplier construction plus residential and commercial demand
Eagle Ford Shale pipeline and energy work plus Toyota supplier manufacturing base
University Health, Methodist, Baptist, and the South Texas Medical Center drive sustained MA hiring
I-35 freight corridor between Mexico and central Texas plus regional logistics demand
742 Northwest Loop 410, Suite 226, San Antonio, TX 78216
$17,500
250 students
1819 N. Main Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212
$4,500
22,000 students
734 SE Military Drive, San Antonio, TX 78214
$17,000
600 students
8434 Wurzbach Road, San Antonio, TX 78229
$13,500
800 students
1801 Martin Luther King Drive, San Antonio, TX 78203
$4,500
12,000 students
Ready to start your career training? Here's how to get enrolled in a trade school in San Antonio:
If wait lists are long or commute is an issue in San Antonio, these nearby cities have additional trade school options.
Alamo Colleges in-district tuition is approximately $99 per credit hour, putting most diploma programs in the $3,500-$7,000 range. STVT and other private trade schools run $14,000-$22,000. The TEXAS Grant and TPEG can substantially reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible residents. Active-duty military and veterans qualify for additional benefits including the Hazlewood Act.
St. Philip's College — particularly the Southwest Campus — has a 125+ year history of trades education and is one of the most respected technical training institutions in Texas. Programs in HVAC, welding, automotive, electrical, plumbing, and construction trades are well-aligned with local employer demand. It's the historically Black college component of the Alamo Colleges District.
St. Philip's College Southwest Campus, San Antonio College, and STVT all run respected welding programs. St. Philip's is the most affordable; STVT offers shorter program timing. The Eagle Ford Shale and Toyota supplier base provide strong placement opportunities for welding graduates.
Yes — active-duty military qualify for Tuition Assistance (TA) covering up to $4,500/year. Veterans qualify for the Post-9/11 GI Bill at all Alamo Colleges and approved private schools. The Hazlewood Act provides up to 150 free tuition credit hours at public Texas institutions for eligible Texas veterans. San Antonio has one of the largest military and veteran populations in the U.S., and most schools have dedicated veteran services offices.