Vocational Trade Schools in Tennessee

Trade schools offer career-focused programs that develop each student’s technical abilities and train them to perform specific tasks required in a skilled profession. Common trade school programs include auto repair, cosmetology, computer programming, and dental hygiene.

Students who enroll in trade or vocational schools are a diverse group. Many learners are high school graduates who are not ready to embark on a four-year educational journey. Professionals who are changing careers or want to refresh their skills also enroll in vocational programs.

Trade school programs typically take under two years to complete. Graduates enter the workforce sooner, equipped with the necessary skills and training to accomplish the tasks required for a specific occupation.

Some vocational programs include courses that can transfer to a four-year degree. However, keep in mind that colleges and universities often follow strict transfer policies. Be sure to ask about the type of trade school credits that a prospective four-year institution accepts.

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reveals that 51% of all undergraduate credentials awarded in 2012 were in the sub-baccalaureate level, including trade school diplomas and certificates. As such, vocational education is an integral part of the current educational landscape in the United States.

In addition to the accreditation status of a school or program, be sure to find out about other important aspects such as retention and completion rates, online or on-campus options, and any available scholarship or grant programs.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) oversee the accreditation process in the United States. They make sure accreditors maintain and apply the established standards of academic quality throughout the accreditation process.

Nonprofit private and public institutions usually seek regional accreditation, while for-profit career-focused schools typically pursue national accreditation. Some accreditors review specific programs instead of entire institutions.

The ED and CHEA recognize the Distance Education Accrediting Commission as the main accrediting organization for distance learning, which includes online schools and programs. It is important to remember that a license is not the same as accreditation. A license simply means a school meets the minimum state-mandated qualifications to operate. Accreditation attests to the quality of education offered by an institution.

The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) acts as the main accreditor for trade schools and is recognized by the ED in this role. The ACCSC accredits institutions that offer academic programs specifically designed to educate students for trade, technical, or occupational careers.

The ED channels federal student aid packages only through accredited institutions. This holds true whether you plan to enroll in a degree-granting or a career-focused school. The type of accreditation an institution holds also affects your ability to transfer credits from one school to another. As a rule, a regionally accredited institution only accepts transfer credits earned at a school holding the same type accreditation.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), approximately 6% of jobs require the completion of a postsecondary non-degree credential. Workers with this level of education earned a median annual salary of $47,740 in 2023. Most vocational schools offer these types of programs in several professional arenas.

Vocational schools in Tennessee can lead to lucrative degrees. For example,the BLS shows that electrical and electronics repairers earn a median annual wage of $78,410. This exceeds the median annual salary of $47,740 for all other occupations.

Some states also hire more trade school graduates than others. The five states that hire the highest number of workers with postsecondary non-degree education include Indiana (196,740), Tennessee (190,390), Alabama (130,840), Louisiana (129,370), and Iowa (108,690).

Completing a postsecondary non-degree program offered by accredited vocational schools can open the door to lucrative occupations.

Vocational schools offer non-degree training programs in diverse occupational fields. NCES data shows the most popular areas of study include health sciences (36%), business and marketing (17%), and consumer services (8%).

Explore the vocational programs listed below, keeping in mind that they comprise only a sample of trade school offerings.

Whether you plan to enroll in a trade school, a two-year community college, or a four-year university, your search for financial assistance begins with the FAFSA.

Trade school students with demonstrable financial need can qualify for the Pell Grant. The Career Training Smart Option Loans from Sallie Mae offer competitive interest rates and no prepayment penalty for vocational school students. The loan can cover tuition, books, and other school-related expenses like housing or a laptop.

Find out if your prospective school participates in any federal student assistance program earmarked specially for trade school enrollees. Remember, you can only apply for federal grant monies if your school is accredited. Specific schools and some specialized programs administer scholarships from private donors who are keen to support students pursuing a career in a particular field.

Begin your search for financial assistance with the scholarship and grant opportunities below.

The information you include in your FAFSA helps schools determine your eligibility for any type of financial assistance. You must submit the form for every year that you apply for aid. In your search for funding assistance, be sure to include scholarship programs from local chapters of trade unions, organizations that serve minority populations, and special interest groups.