Vocational Trade Schools in Arizona

Vocational and trade schools train students for a variety of careers in areas like healthcare, legal studies, cosmetology, and technology. Trade schools offer several benefits, including affordability. Many trade schools charge lower tuition rates than four-year institutions, which can save students money. Additionally, people who earn an occupational credential benefit from higher employment rates than those with an academic credential, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Many schools in Arizona offer vocational and trade programs. Most vocational programs incorporate a mix of coursework and hands-on learning through internships, apprenticeships, or practicums.

Completing a certificate or associate degree in a vocational program generally takes 1-2 years. Some schools offer self-paced or accelerated options for students seeking a faster option. Students looking for more flexibility can also research online vocational programs.

This page introduces trade and vocational schools in Arizona and ranks the top programs in the state. It also provides information on scholarship opportunities for students and the career and salary outlook for trade school graduates.

Yes. Many trade schools in Arizona offer online programs. Online students can often meet a program’s in-person requirements at an approved site in their community.

Yes. Accredited trade and technical colleges in Arizona meet the requirements for many financial aid programs, including federal aid.

Yes. Students can often transfer the credits they earn from accredited trade and vocational schools in Arizona to other institutions.

Many trade schools offer rolling admissions policies, which let prospective students submit an application at any time. Similarly, trade schools often offer multiple start dates each year.

Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.

Prospective trade school students should always check a school’s accreditation status before applying. Schools must undergo a rigorous review process from an independent accrediting agency to earn accreditation. During the review, the accrediting agency evaluates the school’s student learning outcomes, academic mission, faculty qualifications, and graduation requirements. To maintain accreditation, schools regularly repeat the review process.

Accreditation benefits students in several ways. For instance, only students attending an accredited school qualify for federal financial aid programs, and many schools only accept credits and degrees from accredited institutions. Additionally, many professional licenses and certifications require an accredited degree.

At the institutional level, both regional and national accrediting agencies grant accreditation to schools. Liberal arts and research institutions and community colleges typically hold regional accreditation. In Arizona, the Higher Learning Commission grants regional accreditation to four-year and two-year schools.

Vocational and trade schools may hold national accreditation from an agency such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). ACCSC accredits more than 650 trade and technical schools in the country. Online schools may also hold accreditation from a specialized agency like the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

Trade schools also need a license to operate in the state. The Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education licenses private vocational and trade schools in Arizona.

Trade schools in Phoenix, Tucson, and other parts of Arizona prepare graduates for in-demand careers. Our list ranks the best trade schools in Arizona to help prospective students find the right program for their interests and goals.

Trade school graduates can work in roles such as medical assistant, electrician, ultrasound technician, and paramedic. Vocational and trade schools can also lead to careers in trade services, aerospace, and healthcare.

Salaries vary widely by role, location, and experience, but technical and trade school graduates earn an annual salary of over $55,000 per year, on average. Students considering trade and technical schools in Arizona can research Arizona salaries by occupation to learn more about the earning potential in their field. For example, dental hygienists in Arizona earn over $84,000 per year, on average, while avionics technicians make over $60,000.

Many trade school careers offer strong growth projections. For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects faster-than-average job growth for dental hygienists, EMTs and paramedics, and HVAC technicians. Prospective trade school students should research job demand and average salaries in their specific field. ​

Trade and vocational schools in Arizona offer certificates and degrees in high-demand fields like healthcare, legal services, and hospitality services. Many of these fields offer strong job growth projections and above-average salaries.

This section introduces trade school programs that prepare graduates for in-demand career paths in Arizona. In addition to the following programs, prospective students can research other popular vocational programs, including programs for dental hygienists, construction managers, radiology technicians, and medical assistants.

Students who choose a vocational or trade school in Arizona often save money on tuition compared to those attending four-year colleges and universities. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, tuition and fees at four-year public schools in Arizona cost over $10,000 per year, on average, while two-year public schools charge around $2,000 per year.

Students can pursue financial aid opportunities to help offset the cost of their education. To qualify for federal financial aid, students must submit the FAFSA every year. Federal aid may include loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.

Many schools, professional organizations, and private foundations also offer scholarships for students at trade and tech schools in Arizona, as the next section discusses.