Vocational Trade Schools in Maine

Trade schools train students for careers in allied health, skilled trades, and other high-demand industries. Vocational programs in healthcare prepare students for opportunities as medical assistants, dental hygienists, respiratory therapists, and occupational therapy assistants. Many of these careers offer strong salary and growth potential.

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

During a vocational program, students receive job-focused training in their field. Most programs combine classroom instruction with practical experiential learning. For example, paramedic students practice their skills in a medical setting, allied health students complete clinical requirements, and skilled trade students apply their learning through laboratories and practica. FIND PROGRAMS By Staff Writer Published on August 06, 2020

Trade schools offer several benefits over four-year academic programs. A vocational certificate or degree generally takes 1-2 years, meaning students finish their program and enter the workforce faster. As a result, trade school students often save money on their degree.

In addition, 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 also offer self-paced, accelerated, and online options for busy students who prefer a flexible schedule.

Our list introduces the top vocational schools in Maine. By researching top-ranked programs, students can find the best fit for their interests and professional goals.

This page also explores career and salary data for trade school professions, introduces popular vocational programs, and lists scholarship opportunities for trade school students.

Prospective trade school students should always check a school’s accreditation and licensure status before applying. Attending an accredited and licensed trade school in Maine ensures that students receive the best education possible and enter the workforce prepared for career advancement.

Accreditation recognizes colleges and universities that meet high standards in educating students. Schools seeking accreditation must undergo a rigorous review, during which an independent accrediting agency evaluates the school’s student learning outcomes, academic mission, and faculty qualifications. Accredited schools regularly repeat the review process to maintain their status.

Students benefit from accreditation in several ways. Credits earned at an accredited institution are more likely to transfer to other schools. An accredited degree meets more professional licensure and certification requirements, and students at accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid programs.

In Maine, several accrediting organizations grant accreditation to vocational programs. Community colleges and four-year universities typically hold regional accreditation. The New England Commission of Higher Education grants regional accreditation to Maine schools.

Trade and vocational schools in Maine often hold national accreditation. Agencies such as the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges grant national accreditation to career-focused schools. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission grants accreditation to online schools.

In addition to accreditation, trade schools in Maine should hold a license to offer higher education programs. The Maine Department of Education licenses postsecondary programs in the state. The department also maintains a list of non-accredited colleges and degree mills, which prospective students should avoid.

Trade schools in Maine train professionals for in-demand careers in healthcare, skilled trades, and other vocational fields. By choosing a top-ranked program, students can advance their education and increase their earning potential.

Our list ranks the best vocational schools in Maine to help prospective students find the right fit to reach their career goals.

Many career paths available to trade school graduates offer strong salaries and high demand.

Technical and trade school occupations pay around $55,000 per year on average. Earning potential for trade school graduates varies depending on industry, location, and experience.

Personal care and service jobs earn under $33,000 per year, while management occupations pay over $96,000 annually. Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations earn around $55,000 per year, while healthcare support occupations pay just over $45,000 per year.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), many trade school careers offer strong job growth. The BLS projects much faster-than-average job growth for respiratory therapists, HVAC technicians, and dental hygienists between 2018 and 2028.

Salaries for trade occupations vary by state. In Maine, prospective trade school students can research Maine wage data to learn about the earning potential for different fields. For instance, Maine’s dental hygienists earn around $67,500 per year, while respiratory therapists make $60,000 per year on average. More experienced professionals often earn higher wages.

Trade and tech schools in Maine offer several career-focused certificates and degrees. Vocational programs train students for careers in emergency services, healthcare, skilled trades, and legal services. Graduates pursue careers as dental hygienists, HVAC technicians, cosmetologists, and respiratory therapists.

The following list introduces some of the most common trade school programs. In addition to these programs, prospective students can research certificates and degrees for paralegals, occupational therapy assistants, electricians, and other trade school careers.

Trade school students often save money on their program compared with students pursuing academic credentials.

For example, Maine’s public universities cost over $9,000 per year in tuition and fees, while private universities cost more than $37,000 per year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. In contrast, Maine’s public community colleges charge around $3,700 per year in tuition and fees.

In addition to choosing a more affordable school, students can also pay for their vocational program through financial aid. Students attending accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid programs, including grants and loans.

Applicants must complete the FAFSA every year to receive federal financial aid. However, not all schools meet the requirements for federal aid programs. Students can check with specific schools to learn whether they qualify.

Grants and scholarships remain one of the best forms of financial aid. Unlike loans, which students must pay back, scholarships and grants offer financial support at no cost to the student.

The following section covers scholarships for students at vocational schools in Maine.

Students attending trade and vocational schools in Maine qualify for multiple scholarship opportunities. For example, the Maine Community Foundation awards over $4 million per year in scholarship funds to Maine students. In addition to the following scholarships, trade school students can research opportunities based on their field.

Trade and Vocational Schools