Why Choose Trade School?
Trade schools, also referred to as vocational or tech schools, offer skills-based educational programs. In addition to classroom instruction, students complete significant training in the field to develop the skills needed for specific occupations.
Trade schools often offer programs in auto repair, cosmetology, plumbing, and HVAC. However, shifting market forces and numerous socioeconomic factors have led vocational and trade schools to diversify their offerings. Many schools now offer programs in fields like industrial automation technology, multimedia animation, and web graphics.
Vocational school programs typically take under two years to complete. Students save time and also money, since they only have to pay tuition for two years (at the most) rather than four years at a regular college or university.
Shorter programs also mean students enter the workforce sooner. They gain valuable experience and start receiving a salary two years ahead of their counterparts pursuing four-year degrees.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 74% of students with an occupational credential from a trade or vocational school end up working in the professional arena directly related to their field of study. Meanwhile, only 53% of students with academic credentials from four-year colleges and universities find work in their major after graduation.
By offering career-focused programs, trade schools play a major role in meeting students' educational and professional needs.
Read on to learn more about vocational school programs in general and more specifically about trade schools in Wyoming.
Top 10 Vocational Trade Schools in Wyoming
| #1 | Casper College Casper, WY |
| #2 | Northwest College Powell, WY |
| #3 | Central Wyoming College Riverton, WY |
| #4 | Western Wyoming Community College Rock Springs, WY |
| #5 | Eastern Wyoming College Torrington, WY |
FAQ
What do trade schools offer?
How much does a trade school cost?
What is the difference between a trade school and a college?
Can trade school credits transfer?
Accreditation and Licensing for Trade Schools
A school's accreditation attests to the quality of its academic programs. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) oversee the accreditation process in the United States.
Nonprofit degree-oriented private and public institutions seek regional accreditation from accreditors recognized by the ED and CHEA. For-profit career-focused trade and sectarian schools seek national accreditation. Programmatic accrediting agencies evaluate specific programs rather than entire institutions.
A school's accreditation matters for two main reasons. First, only accredited schools can administer federal financial aid packages from the ED, including scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. Second, most accredited schools only accept transfer credits from other accredited institutions.
Never take a school's accreditation for granted. Diploma mills, which are not accredited, exist among schools offering vocational programs.
The Higher Learning Commission accredits postsecondary two-year and four-year colleges and universities in Wyoming. The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges accredits vocational schools in Wyoming. Accreditation of online schools and programs falls under the authority of the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.
States require all schools to be licensed before they can offer any type of educational programs. Licensure is not the same as accreditation. Licensure means that a school meets the minimum requirements of the state to operate as a learning institution. Accreditation evaluates the quality of the academic programs offered by the school.
AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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Vocational Trade Schools in Wyoming
The following list includes some of the top vocational schools in Wyoming. We considered accreditation, financial aid, online options, and available programs to rank these schools.
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Casper CollegeLocation
Casper, WY
Tuition$6438
Graduation Rate30%
Casper College is one of the region's largest community colleges. Casper's 40 transfer and career and technical education programs give learners a pathway to a four-year degree or a career right out of college. Learners study in classrooms with a 13-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio on a 200-acre campus. Students interested in entering the workforce choose the AAS degree, which provides training in fields such as accounting and bookkeeping, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurship.
Transfer programs include pre-dentistry and pre-medicine. One of the best vocational schools in Wyoming for technical training, Casper administers associate degrees in fields such as automotive, paramedic, and construction technology. Learners with limited time choose certificates in manufacturing and healthcare. Casper's unique programs include the cognitive retraining certificate, which qualifies learners to sit for the national Certified Brain Injury Specialist exam. An electrical apprenticeship rounds out the catalog, giving learners extensive classroom and paid hands-on training.
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Northwest CollegeLocation
Powell, WY
Tuition$6909
At Northwest College, residents living in three rural counties in Big Horn Basin receive access to adult education, workforce training, and degrees. Learners study on campus in Powell and at centers in Cody and Worland. Online learning supplements on-campus delivery. Degrees that lead to career-readiness include the AAS in aeronautics, AAS in drafting technology, and AAS in outdoor recreation leadership.
Residents interested in completing the first two years of a four-year degree at NWC choose from about 40 options, including an AS in allied health, AA in conservation law enforcement, and AA in political science. Five transfer degrees focus exclusively on pre-majors such as pre-optometry. NWC offers a customizable AAS in technical studies that requires students to complete an internship at Western Hands, an organization that celebrates western design and craftsmanship.
NWC apprenticeships train plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. Through peer tutoring, students can receive help in math, science, and writing to prosper at one of the best trade schools in Wyoming.
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Central Wyoming CollegeLocation
Riverton, WY
Tuition$4797
Central Wyoming College serves Fremont, Teton, and Hot Springs counties. In addition to the main campus in Riverton, CWC operates satellite campuses. CWC's catalog consists of degrees and short-term certificates in 36 areas.
Degrees flexible enough to ensure job-readiness and provide the foundation necessary to transfer to a senior college include the AS in agribusiness and the associate degree in nursing. The AAS in geospatial science teaches learners how to use high-tech mapping technologies in a variety of settings. AAS degrees in automotive technology and culinary arts also create a pipeline of job-ready workers. Certificates train certified nursing assistants, dental assistants, and other healthcare workers in an accelerated time frame.
Participants complete just 26 credits to earn the electrical apprenticeship certificate. CWC's bachelor of applied science in tribal leadership and business and entrepreneurial leadership distinguish the institution from other two-year tech schools in Wyoming.
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Western Wyoming Community CollegeLocation
Rock Springs, WY
Tuition$7751
Graduation Rate53%
Established in 1959, Western Wyoming Community College is one of the state's seven community colleges. WWCC, located in Rock Springs, offers a 13-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio that ensures personalized learning. The school's two-year degrees cover six disciplines, including business, social science, and technology and industry. The school designed some degrees just for transfer purposes, including four pre-med programs.
WWCC administers 26 degrees and certificates fully online, and some courses feature at-your-pace learning. One of the school's newest programs allows nontraditional learners to earn an AAS in business management online in just 16 months. Associate degrees focused exclusively on career preparation include three AAS degrees in welding technology. An electrical apprenticeship provides on-the-job training. Enrollees in need of short-term credentials complete one of 42 certificates in a semester or a year.
Students begin to develop their leadership skills through participation in one of 20 clubs on campus. WWCC's competitive tuition and scholarships cement WWCC's standing as one of the most affordable tech schools in Wyoming.
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Eastern Wyoming CollegeLocation
Torrington, WY
Tuition$6839
Graduation Rate35%
Founded in 1948, Eastern Wyoming College enrolls students primarily from Goshen County. EWC also manages outreach programs that serve students in five other counties. All students receive access to degrees, certificate, and transfer courses in fields such as animal science, precision agriculture, criminal justice, and early childhood distance learning.
The unique AAS in gunsmithing provides an option not available at other vocational schools in Wyoming. Students learn how to make, modify, and maintain firearms based on blueprints or customized specifications. Transfer options include the AA in English and customizable AA and AS in interdisciplinary studies. Pre-professional programs in allied health and five other healthcare majors provide the prerequisites to enter professional programs at major institutions.
Students with limited time and resources can develop quickly through certificates in about 20 programs. The school offers several online options to give learners more flexibility. Students interested in hands-on training choose from several apprenticeships and internships.
Find Vocational and Trade Schools in Wyoming
Wyoming contains several schools and programs that offer vocational and trade certificates in different areas of study. Use the search tool below to find the best vocational and trade schools in Wyoming for your career goals.
Career and Salary Outlook for Trade School Graduates
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for all trade school occupations is $59,370. Many trade school graduates command higher salaries. Elevator installers and repairers ($84,990), aircraft mechanics ($64,310), and electrical line installers ($65,700) all earn strong average salaries.
Job growth and career prospects for several trade school occupations remain healthy. According to the BLS, electricians, HVAC technicians, and plumbers benefit from high projected growth rates in jobs in their sector between 2018 and 2028. However, some trade school occupations such as air traffic controllers and automotive service technicians face little to no change at all in growth rates for jobs in their sector.
Vocational school graduates have an easier time finding work in states with industries that require their skills and training. Job location significantly impacts career options. The following states hire the highest number of trade school graduates: Indiana (196,740), Tennessee (190,390), Alabama (130,840), Louisiana (129,370), and Iowa (108,690).
What Kinds of Trade School Programs Are Available?
The list below includes four of the most common trade and technical programs.
Dental Hygienist Schools
Dental hygienist programs typically require students to complete extensive practical training in addition to courses in radiology, pharmacology, microbiology, and dental materials.�
States require dental hygienists to obtain a license prior to practicing. Students must pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination as part of the licensure process. Only graduates of a dental hygiene program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation can sit for the exam.
According to the BLS, dental hygienists benefit from an 11% projected growth rate for jobs in the sector from 2018 to 2028. They earned a median annual salary of $76,220 in 2019.
Mechanic Schools
Most trade school mechanic programs take no longer than 12 months to complete. Students often receive significant practical instruction through an internship or practicum.�
Students can also enroll in an apprenticeship program through local trade organizations or automotive companies. Apprenticeships can last up to three years and come with a salary.�
States do not require mechanics to be licensed or certified before they can work. However, mechanics typically take at least one of the certification exams administered by the National Automotive Education Foundation. Students who pass the exam earn the automotive service excellence certification.
According to the BLS, automotive service technicians and mechanics earned a median annual salary of $42,090 in 2019.
Paralegal Schools
Vocational schools typically offer paralegal certificate programs that include 18-30 credits and usually require one year to finish. Graduates qualify for entry-level jobs in law.�
According to the BLS, paralegals earned a median annual salary of $51,740 in 2019. The BLS projects a 12% growth rate for this field between 2018 and 2028.�
Employers in the legal field are beginning to prefer paralegals with an associate degree, which some vocational schools offer. However, these programs are more common at community colleges. In lieu of two-year programs, some vocational schools offer a paralegal curriculum with courses that transfer easily to similar programs in community colleges.
Radiology Technician Schools
Many radiology technicians work in medical and surgical hospitals, but they are also hired by outpatient care clinics and diagnostic laboratories. Many vocational schools offer one-year radiology technician certificate programs. Radiology technician programs at community colleges typically take two years to complete and lead to an associate degree.
Some states require licensure for radiology technicians. These states often rely on the exams administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Radiologic technologists earned a median annual salary of $62,280 in 2019. The BLS projects a 9% growth rate for jobs in this sector between 2018 and 2028.
Financial Aid for Trade School Students
For most students, the search for financial aid begins by completing the FAFSA. Public and private postsecondary institutions, including vocational and tech schools, use FAFSA information to determine an applicant's eligibility for their programs. Many private nonprofits and professional trade associations that administer scholarships and grants also rely on FAFSA information.
Federal programs such as Pell Grants and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants accept applications from trade school students based on their FAFSA information.
Vocational students who need additional aid should consider taking out a student loan from the government before private lenders. Private lenders typically charge higher interest rates and do not offer payment deferment options like federal student loans.
Scholarship for Trade School Students
Students enrolled in trade schools in Wyoming can take advantage of the following scholarship and grant opportunities.
American Welding Society Welder Training Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Students must apply through their local AWS district. Applicants must be accepted to a welding training program at a community college or trade school.
Amount: $1,000
Executive Women International Adult Students in Scholastic Transition Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Adult learners facing significant socioeconomic or physical hardships can apply to this program, which serves trade school students. Local EWI chapters accept and
process applications, but the final determination is made at the national level.
Amount: $2,000-$10,000
Horatio Alger Association Career & Technical Scholarships
Who Can Apply: Specifically earmarked for vocational or technical school learners, this scholarship accepts applications from students who have overcome major obstacles and
adversity in their life. Applicants must be under 30 years old with demonstrable financial need.
Amount: $2,000
Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractor National Association Educational Foundation Scholarship Program
Who Can Apply: Students enrolled in a plumbing and heating/cooling program at an accredited trade school or community college can apply for this scholarship. Plumbing apprentices can also apply.
Amount: Varies
National FFA Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Students enrolled in a college or career school agriculture program can apply for one of five scholarships administered by the Future Farmers of America
Foundation. Applicants must be current FFA members.
Amount: Varies