Vocational Trade Schools in Kentucky

Trade and vocational schools provide career training in areas like healthcare, technology, and the skilled trades. In the healthcare field, trade school graduates may work as medical assistants, health information technicians, dental hygienists, and occupational therapy assistants. Vocational programs also train graduates for careers as electricians, HVAC technicians, paralegals, and paramedics.

During a vocational program, students take career-focused coursework in their field. Programs also incorporate experiential training through practicum, lab, and clinical requirements. For example, pharmacy technicians and ultrasound technicians complete clinical requirements to gain hands-on experience.

Vocational schools offer several benefits over four-year academic programs. Because a vocational certificate or degree generally takes 1-2 years to complete, graduates can enter the workforce faster than graduates of four-year programs. Additionally, professionals with an occupational credential benefit from a higher employment rate than those with an academic credential, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Many trade schools offer self-paced or accelerated programs that appeal to busy students. Learners seeking greater flexibility can also choose an online vocational program.

This page introduces the top-ranked trade and vocational schools in Kentucky. It also provides career and salary information for trade school occupations, introduces common vocational programs, and lists scholarship opportunities for trade school students.

Kentucky vocational and trade schools offer programs in healthcare, the skilled trades, and other in-demand fields. By choosing a top-ranked vocational program, students can advance their career and increase their earning potential. Our list ranks the best vocational schools in Kentucky to help prospective students find the best fit to reach their career goals.

Yes. Many schools offer vocational programs online. During these programs, students complete courses online while meeting any experiential learning requirements at a local site.

Yes. Trade school students may qualify for many scholarship opportunities, including scholarships and grants from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority.

Yes. Credits earned from a trade school may transfer to other schools, but many institutions require transfer credits from regionally accredited schools.

Many trade schools admit new students on a rolling basis, meaning students can apply at any time throughout the year. Many programs also offer multiple start dates each year.

Prospective trade school students should always check a school’s accreditation and licensing status before applying. Accredited schools meet high standards for educating students. To earn accreditation, schools voluntarily undergo a rigorous review from an independent accrediting agency. During the review, the agency evaluates the school’s academic mission, student learning outcomes, and faculty qualifications. Accredited schools must regularly undergo reviews to maintain their status.

Accreditation benefits students in important ways. For example, only students at accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid, and many schools only accept degrees and transfer credits from accredited institutions. Additionally, many professional licenses and certifications require an accredited degree.

Schools may hold several types of accreditation. Community colleges, liberal arts institutions, and research universities typically hold regional accreditation. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges grants regional accreditation to schools in Kentucky.

Trade and vocational schools in Kentucky often hold national accreditation from a specialized agency such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, which grants accreditation to over 650 vocational schools nationwide. Other specialized agencies include the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, which grants accreditation to online schools, including online vocational schools.

In addition to accreditation, institutions of higher education must hold a license from the state to educate students. The Council on Postsecondary Education and the Kentucky Commission on Proprietary Education license vocational and trade schools in Kentucky.

Trade school graduates can work in roles such as medical assistant, occupational therapy assistant, construction worker, and plumber. Because trade schools in Kentucky prepare graduates for so many different careers, the career and salary outlook for trade school graduates varies widely. Overall, many vocational occupations offer above-average salaries and strong job growth potential.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), trade school occupations pay an average salary of around $55,000 per year. Professionals in personal care and service occupations make around $33,000 per year, while management occupations pay an average of $96,000 per year. Healthcare practitioners earn $55,000 per year, on average, and installation, maintenance, and repair professionals earn around $50,000 per year.

The BLS also reports much faster-than-average job growth projections for many trade occupations, such as HVAC technician, and occupational therapy assistant.

Prospective trade school students in Kentucky can research Kentucky wage data to learn more about the earning potential in specific fields. For example, Kentucky occupational therapy assistants make around $66,000 per year, on average, while dental hygienists earn $73,000 per year.

Trade and vocational schools in Kentucky offer certificates and degrees in many high-demand fields. Graduates can pursue careers in areas like healthcare, the skilled trades, technology, and legal services.

This section introduces some common trade school programs in Kentucky. In addition to these programs, prospective students can research other vocational programs in the state.

In Kentucky, students who choose a vocational program often save money compared to students enrolled in four-year academic programs. Kentucky’s public, four-year universities charge an average of over $10,000 per year in tuition and fees, while private universities charge over $26,000 per year. Meanwhile, Kentucky community colleges cost around $4,000 per year, on average.

In addition to choosing an affordable vocational program, students can lower the cost of their education through financial aid. Trade school students attending accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid. To determine their eligibility for federal aid, students must submit the FAFSA every year.

Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not require repayment, making them one of the best forms of financial aid. The next section lists scholarship opportunities for students at trade schools in Kentucky.

The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority administers several grant and scholarship programs for students attending trade and vocational schools in Kentucky.