Vocational &
Trade Schools in Ohio

Vocational and trade schools in Ohio gives students an alternative to attending a four-year college or university, while still providing the quality education students need to get ahead. Vocational training is delivered to students on the secondary and post-secondary levels—and in both cases, many are taking advantage of programs that will give them practical and technical skills employers are looking for. This page outlines vocational and trade schools in Ohio with information on the types of programs available to students, career outlook for graduates, and resources for finding the right program.

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Ohio’s Top Vocational & Trade Programs: 2017

2-Year Schools
4-Year Schools

Ohio’s vocational and trade school offerings are spread across the state and welcoming students. Through our rankings, students can see the various types of community colleges and vocational institutions that are training students to compete in some of Ohio’s growing industries, such as healthcare and construction. The rankings list includes on accredited schools, as well as those that have placement services for grads.

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition & Fees	Financial Aid %	Total Programs	Student-Teacher Ratio	Grad Rate	Description	Additional Benefits:	Placement Services	Counseling Services	Credit for Experience
1	Sinclair College	98.27	$$$$$	28%	46	15:1	17%	Sinclair College offers job-related associate degrees across four sectors: health sciences, business & public services, science, mathematics and engineering. Even the liberal arts, communications and social sciences division has associate degrees that allow students to transfer right into the workforce, if they choose, such as with the interior design degree. Students who need to take exams to enter their field will be prepared to do so. The school focuses on helping students apply critical thinking and creative problem solving to their chosen profession. The programs are made up of general elective courses like English and art, but mostly courses are related to the chosen career.	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
2	Belmont College	98.07	$$$$$	44%	11	11:1	19%	At Belmont College, students can pick from job-related programs like information technology, industrial trades, nursing/health sciences and public safety. The school offers 25 different degrees. It offers associate programs that will prepare students to enter the workforce, and degrees that prepare students to transfer to specific four-year institutions. The college focuses on helping students change careers or gain more knowledge. The school prides itself on giving a holistic education that focuses on cultural, emotional, physical and intellectual development of its students. The institution focuses on the team-building aspects of education, and fosters a culture of self-evaluation. In addition to core job skills that will make students highly employable, students will learn creative and critical thinking.	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
3	Columbus State Community College	97.83	$$$$$	20%	45	19:1	8%	At Stark State College, prospective students can study various hands-on careers: business, education, engineering technology, health, human and public services and information technology. The school offers a number of highly focused associate degrees, like the accounting services for health administration major. The school even allows paramedics to enroll in an RN associate degree geared for capitalizing on the skills they have already obtained. Over four semesters, students take courses in technical courses related to their chosen career goals and non-technical courses that cover general education.	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
4	Cincinnati State Technical and Community College	97.48	$$$$$	11%	43	15:1	16%	At Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, students who want a two-year degree in a job-related field can choose between the business technologies division, the center for innovative technologies and the health and public safety division. Students typically take classes in their chosen field in the first semester. Students can also choose from a list of electives within several key areas like math and English. In many programs, there are also several electives within the main field of study so students can better customize their education.	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
5	Stark State College	97.23	$$$$$	7%	28	22:1	9%	At Stark State College, students can choose from several program options for vocational-related careers: business, education, engineering technology, health, human and public services and information technology. The school offers a number of highly focused associate degrees, like the accounting services for health administration major. The school even allows paramedics to enroll in an RN associate degree geared for capitalizing on the skills they’ve already obtained. Over four semesters, students take courses in technical courses related to their chosen career goals and non-technical courses that cover general education.	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
6	Lorain County Community College	96.86	$$$$$	25%	29	20:1	10%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
7	Owens Community College	96.84	$$$$$	12%	27	16:1	7%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
8	Clark State Community College	96.56	$$$$$	4%	13	14:1	9%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
9	Rhodes State College	96.50	$$$$$	15%	22	14:1	19%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
10	Cuyahoga Community College	96.30	$$$$$	2%	37	21:1	4%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
11	Lakeland Community College	96.23	$$$$$	13%	24	16:1	8%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
12	Washington State Community College	96.17	$$$$$	13%	15	11:1	15%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
13	Edison State Community College	96.12	$$$$$	16%	16	15:1	20%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
14	North Central State College	96.09	$$$$$	9%	10	15:1	13%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
15	Terra State Community College	95.95	$$$$$	7%	24	15:1	12%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
16	Zane State College	95.92	$$$$$	28%	17	16:1	26%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
17	Northwest State Community College	95.70	$$$$$	26%	9	17:1	27%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
18	Marion Technical College	95.66	$$$$$	10%	16	16:1	20%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
19	Central Ohio Technical College	95.30	$$$$$	4%	10	15:1	12%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
20	Southern State Community College	95.18	$$$$$	62%	9	18:1	22%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
21	Bowling Green State University-Firelands	94.35	$$$$$	13%	5	19:1	13%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
22	Ohio College of Massotherapy Inc	93.67	$$$$$	N/A	2	16:1	43%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
23	Remington College-Cleveland Campus	92.87	$$$$$	69%	7	14:1	57%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	No	Read More Read Less
24	Ohio Institute of Allied Health	92.80	$$$$$	35%	1	3:1	N/A		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	No	Read More Read Less
25	Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute	92.50	$$$$$	33%	2	17:1	30%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	No	Read More Read Less
26	Columbiana County Career and Technical Center	92.33	$$$$$	N/A	8	16:1	88%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	No	Read More Read Less
27	U S Grant Joint Vocational School	92.15	$$$$$	N/A	1	15:1	100%		Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	No	Read More Read Less

Rank	School Name	Score	Tuition & Fees	Financial Aid %	Total Programs	Student-Teacher Ratio	Grad Rate	Additional Benefits:	Placement Services	Counseling Services	Credit for Experience
1	Youngstown State University	99.85	$$$$$	45%	22	15:1	32%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
2	University of Cincinnati-Clermont College	99.13	$$$$$	18%	10	16:1	N/A	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
3	University of Akron Main Campus	99.09	$$$$$	47%	21	19:1	40%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
4	Shawnee State University	98.74	$$$$$	34%	6	16:1	20%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
5	University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College	98.65	$$$$$	32%	10	18:1	N/A	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
6	University of Rio Grande	98.55	$$$$$	24%	13	19:1	28%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
7	University of Toledo	98.42	$$$$$	85%	8	20:1	46%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
8	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus	98.37	$$$$$	54%	9	18:1	62%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
9	Ashland University	97.87	$$$$$	99%	4	13:1	60%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
10	Miami University-Oxford	97.79	$$$$$	64%	3	17:1	80%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
11	Ohio University-Southern Campus	97.38	$$$$$	31%	1	20:1	14%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
12	Mount Saint Joseph University	97.36	$$$$$	99%	3	11:1	58%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
13	Ohio University-Lancaster Campus	97.20	$$$$$	35%	1	22:1	23%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
14	Ohio University-Main Campus	96.81	$$$$$	68%	1	18:1	63%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	Yes	Read More Read Less
15	University of Northwestern Ohio	96.67	$$$$$	33%	17	26:1	30%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	No	Read More Read Less
16	Kent State University at Ashtabula	96.17	$$$$$	53%	6	22:1	20%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	No	Read More Read Less
17	Kent State University at Kent	96.09	$$$$$	75%	6	21:1	52%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	No	Read More Read Less
18	Kent State University at Tuscarawas	95.90	$$$$$	35%	4	21:1	18%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	No	Read More Read Less
19	Kent State University at Trumbull	95.59	$$$$$	16%	4	29:1	26%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	No	Read More Read Less
20	Kent State University at Salem	95.49	$$$$$	10%	3	20:1	23%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	No	Read More Read Less
21	Kettering College	95.33	$$$$$	47%	2	8:1	22%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	No	Read More Read Less
22	Wright State University-Main Campus	95.02	$$$$$	67%	2	22:1	40%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	No	Read More Read Less
23	Kent State University at East Liverpool	95.01	$$$$$	15%	2	27:1	33%	Additional Benefits:	Yes	Yes	No	Read More Read Less

Find Vocational & Trade Schools in Ohio

Vocational and trade schools in Ohio are designed to deliver education based on career fields. In Ohio, there are sixteen career field categories that include areas such as health science, finance, construction, information technology, arts and communication, and manufacturing. The search tool below can help prospective students choose schools and programs that meet their career goals.

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	School	Tuition Tuition for in-state undergrads at the campus location	Acceptance Rate	Student Population	School Type	Vocational & Trade Programs

Ohio Trade School Highlights

99 percent of Ohio vocational students on the secondary school level graduated in 2013.

Those who enroll in health science vocational programs take coursework in topics such as medical terminology, psychology, anatomy, clinical laboratory techniques, and nutrition.

Students at Auburn Career Center in Painesville earned 826 CTE credits in 2014 that were applied to postsecondary school degree programs. As a result, these students saved $90,844 in tuition charges.

Ohio has 70 public schools that solely offer vocational programs, along with 52 public community colleges that have career and technical programs.

By the Numbers: Vocational Certificates and Diplomas in Ohio

Students in vocational programs in Ohio earn credentials that are recognized in the fields they want to pursue for future jobs. In order to make it easier for students to complete trade certificates and associate degrees, the state has implemented initiatives, like credit transfer programs, that allow secondary school students to take courses that can be applied toward their college-level studies.

The table below includes data on the credentials that are earned by Ohio’s vocational students and compares them to the national averages. Ohio students choose certificate and degree options at a rate very close to the rest of the nation.

Distribution of Undergraduate Certificates & Degrees


Credential	Ohio	National
<1-year certificate	15.3%	14.7%
1-year certificate	13.3%	12.6%
Associate degree	23.2%	24.7%
Bachelor’s degree	48.2%	48.0%

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (2010)

Vocational & Trade Career Outlook in Ohio

According to the Ohio Bureau of Labor Market Information, between 2012 and 2022, Ohio is expected to see a 166,200 increase in available jobs for those in healthcare related fields—and many of these positions can be filled by vocational school graduates. For example, those who complete associate’s degrees can pursue jobs as registered nurses, physical therapy assistants, and dental hygienists. Also, vocational school students who earn certificates that take a year or less to complete gravitate toward nursing assistant and licensed practical nursing jobs.

More information about the vocational jobs with the most openings in Ohio can be found in the table below.

Careers with the Most Job Openings in Ohio

Occupation	2012 Employment	Projected Annual Job Openings	Percent Growth (2012-2022)	Median Annual Wage (Ohio, 2014)	Median Annual Wage (National, 2014)
Postsecondary, Non-Degree (Some College)
Nursing Assistants	71,180	81,370	14%	$23,700	$25,100
Licensed Practical Nurses	40,970	49,830	22%	$40,400	$42,500
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	70,010	75,650	8%	$39,900	$39,500
Teacher Assistants	37,500	41,040	10%	$24,900	$24,400
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists	33,370	36,530	10%	$20,900	$23,100
Two-Year Associate’s Degree
Registered Nurses	122,760	141,670	15%	$61,000	$66,600
Preschool Teachers	19,920	23,430	18%	$23,400	$28,100
Dental Hygienists	8,070	9,680	20%	$66,800	$71,500
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians	6,370	7,860	23%	$40,500	$38,400
Physical Therapist Assistants	5,130	6,690	31%	$56,100	$54,400

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Career One Stop

Trade Schools & Careers in Columbus

Students who attend Columbus State Community College have a number of vocational program choices that prepare them for various jobs. For example, in the business cluster, students can earn certificates and associate’s degrees in areas like marketing, accounting, hospitality administration, real estate, and logistics. Also, the mechanic and repair technologies cluster includes programs in aircraft power plant technology, avionics maintenance technology, and mechanic and repair technologies.

Another trade school in Columbus is the Bradford School, which has healthcare related programs for those who want to earn physical therapy assisting and veterinary technician certifications. The school also has programs in graphic design, culinary arts, data processing, and hotel administration.

When completing programs at vocational institutions like the Bradford School and Columbus State Community College, students get the training they need to enter one of the key industries in Columbus. For example, the manufacturing field in the city has 1,700 companies, like EveryWare Global, Inc. and the Whirlpool Corporation, which employ 85,000 workers. Also, the science and technology sector has 61,500 employees who work for companies such as Abbott Nutrition, IBM, Alliance Data Retail Services, and AT&T Inc.

Employment & Education Resources for Ohio Trades

2022 Ohio Job Outlook – Ohio Labor Market Information

This report provides comprehensive information on the job outlook for different professions in Ohio.

Career Tech – Ohio Department of Education

Provides information about the state’s CTE clusters, including course titles and descriptions.

Career Technical Education & Ohio Technical Centers

This page of the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s website includes a list of vocational schools around the state.

Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education

This organization supports the educators who provide vocational education in Ohio.

Ohio Employment Projections Report by Major Industry

Includes data on projected job growth in different industries, such as the agriculture, service, and education sectors.