Trade Schools in Arizona
There are many reasons to choose a trade school in Arizona over a four-year college. Trade schools are often far less expensive and less likely to leave you in steep debt afterward. And it's not uncommon for vocational schools to lead to high-paying jobs sooner than many undergraduate degrees.
Another incentive is the nature of the work that tends to follow after a trade school. These careers often involve highly skilled work and can include ongoing training, leading to greater job security and advancement.
Facts About Trade School and Trade Jobs in Arizona
One of the professions in hot demand from trade schools in Arizona is welders. Pay for welders in nonmetropolitan Arizona locales is among the highest in the country. There are vocational schools in Arizona for everything from plumbing to electrician certificates to cybersecurity and more.
Trade Job Outlook in Arizona
When looking at the benefits of a trade school career, look at the high salaries and projected employment. The trades are in an employment shortage right now, meaning getting hired is all but guaranteed.
Also, you'll spend four times more on a bachelor's degree — but only earn about a quarter more annually. Here's a comparison between trade school and bachelor's degree salaries:
Average Cost of Trade School in Arizona
Vocational schools in Arizona can cost from $5,000 to around $40,000, with many programs being on the lower end of that cost scale. Each program on our list below is under $35,000, so you can rest assured you're attending an affordable school.
By comparison, four-year colleges cost up to $150,000 on average (that's if you attend private school). You could pay less if you were to attend a public school in-state, but it will still be much more expensive than a trade school education.
Accreditations in Arizona
Before selecting a trade school in Arizona, it's vital to learn whether it is accredited. You might not be able to obtain a job license unless you attended an accredited program within a vocational school. Accreditation requirements are in place to ensure a high standard of training, education, and skill before professional engagement. These standards help protect consumers and public health while also helping ensure students are prepared for their chosen profession.
Before committing to a trade school program, it's helpful to research which licenses and exams you will have to take afterward, if any, to begin officially working in that profession. Then, you can find out if those particular exams require your program to be accredited. Counselors for the individual schools have this information and can provide it upon request. In general, most trade schools in Arizona need to be accredited, and many of the licenses and exams for vocational careers require that you attend an accredited program.
Financial Aid for Trade School in Arizona
Arizona Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (AzLEAP)
- Who qualifies: Arizona postsecondary students with financial need
- What it covers: Awards up to $2,500
- Deadline: Varies between institutions and scholarships
For more information on paying for trade school through scholarships and grants, consider our Vocational Education Financial Aid portal.
FAQs About Continuing Education in Arizona
Why might I consider trade school over a four-year college?
When deciding between trade school and college, consider that you can obtain a high salary in a shorter amount of time and with less debt. Of course, there are no guarantees. Some non-degree jobs are high-paying, even when compared to careers that require a bachelor's or higher.
Also, there's a skills gap in the country, leaving many skilled trade jobs unfilled, which provides an opportunity for future workers like you.
Do I need education after high school in Arizona?
While continuing education isn't always necessary to find employment, it can provide a significant advantage. In general, attending a trade school, community college, or university in Arizona will help you find a better-paying job. Before making this decision, though, it's helpful to consider the financial cost of school and consider applying for scholarships and grants.
Is it essential to go directly into continuing education after high school?
Many people take time off between high school and higher education to get some real-world experience before returning to school. However, the longer you take before attending, the longer it will be before you can benefit from your degree or certification, and some people find returning to school harder the longer they've been away.
20 Arizona Trade Schools and Colleges
The following trade schools in Arizona are all under $35,000 in net price, have over 50% graduation rates, and are all institutionally accredited. Institutional accreditation means you can be secure, knowing your trade school education is legitimate.
Avalon School of Cosmetology-Mesa
Net price: $16,396
School type: Private for-profit
Graduation rate: 68%
Largest program: Cosmetology
Avalon School of Cosmetology-Mesa offers the following programs:
- Cosmetology
- Esthetics
- Beauty School Instructor
- Massage Therapy
- Advanced Beauty Classes
- Prosper U
Avalon School of Cosmetology-Phoenix
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $17,337
Graduation rate: 69%
Largest program: Cosmetology
Program offerings:
- Cosmetology
- Esthetics
- Beauty School Instructor
- Massage Therapy
- Advanced Beauty Classes
- Prosper U
Carrington College-Phoenix North
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $22,579
Graduation rate: 63%
Largest program: Medical/Clinical Assistant
Carrington College-Phoenix North offers the following programs:
- Medical Assisting
- Dental Assisting
- Pharmacy Technology
- Dental Hygiene
- Massage Therapy
- Medical Administrative Assistant
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Medical Radiography (X-ray)
- Nursing Bridge (LVN/ADN)
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Physical Therapy Technology
- Practical Nursing/Vocational Nursing
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Respiratory Therapist Education
- Surgical Technology
- Veterinary Assisting
- Veterinary Technology
- Electrical Technology
- Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R)
- Maintenance Technician
- Criminal Justice: Corrections
Charles of Italy Beauty College
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $9,514
Graduation rate: 64%
Largest program: Cosmetology
Charles of Italy Beauty College offers the following programs:
- Cosmetology
- Massage therapy
- Nail technology
- Instructor training
Empire Beauty School-Avondale
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $14,254
Graduation rate: 59%
Largest program: Cosmetology
Empire Beauty School's Avondale campus offers the following programs:
- Cosmetology
- Educator training
Empire Beauty School-Chandler
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $15,463
Graduation rate: 58%
Largest program: Cosmetology
Empire Beauty School-Chandler offers these programs:
- Cosmetology
- Educator training
Empire Beauty School-Tucson
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $15,636
Graduation rate: 58%
Largest program: Cosmetology
Empire Beauty School's Tucson campus offers the following programs:
- Cosmetology
- Esthetics/aestheticsEducator training
GateWay Community College-Central City
School type: Public
Net price: $2,109
Graduation rate: 85%
Largest program: EMT Paramedic
GateWay Community College's Central City campus offers the following programs:
- Computer Support Specialist
- Collision Repair Technician
- Construction
- Electrical Technician
- HVAC Commercial and Residential
- Apprentice Meat Cutting
- Precision Machining
- Welding
International School of Cosmetology
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $16,558
Graduation rate: 74%
Largest program: Cosmetology
International School of Cosmetology's Scottsdale campus offers a cosmetology program.
Paul Mitchell the School-Phoenix
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $10,891
Graduation rate: 74%
Largest program: Cosmetology
Paul Mitchell the School-Phoenix offers the following programs:
- Cosmetology
- Instructor education
Penrose Academy
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $14,662
Graduation rate: 96%
Largest program: Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist
Penrose Academy offers the following programs:
- Cosmetology
- Hair
- Esthetics
- Laser
- Faculty education
Pima Medical Institute-East Valley
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $18,455
Graduation rate: 75%
Largest program: Veterinary/Animal Health Technology and Veterinary Assistant
Pima Medical Institute's East Valley campus offers the following programs:
- Health Care Administration Certificate
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Nursing Assistant /Nurse Aide
- Patient Care Technician
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Veterinary Assistant
- Veterinary Technician
Pima Medical Institute-Mesa
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $21,007
Graduation rate: 71%
Largest program: Medical/Clinical Assistant
Pima Medical Insitute's Mesa campus offers these programs:
- Dental Assistant
- Health Care Administration Certificate
- Medical Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Paramedic
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Radiography
- Respiratory Therapy
Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $17,525
Graduation rate: 66%
Largest program: Veterinary/Animal Health Technology and Veterinary Assistant
Pima Medical Institute's Phoenix campus offers the following programs:
- Dental Assistant
- Health Care Administration Certificate
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Sterile Processing Technician
- Veterinary Assistant
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Surgical Technology
- Veterinary Technician
Refrigeration School Inc
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $20,784
Graduation rate: 71%
Largest program: Electromechanical/Electromechanical Engineering Technology/Technician
Refrigeration Schools Inc offers the following programs:
Regional Center for Border Health
School type: Private not-for-profit
Net price: $6,088
Graduation rate: 95%
Largest program: Medical Office Assistant/Specialist
Regional Center for Border Health offers the following programs:
- Medical Office Specialist
- Nursing Assistant
- Medical Coder and Biller
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Nutrition and Food Services Management
- Caregiver
- ServSafe
The Studio Academy of Beauty
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $15,861
Graduation rate: 76%
Largest program: Cosmetology
The Studio Academy of Beauty offers these programs:
- Cosmetology
- Esthetics
- Hairstylist
- Educator
Tucson College of Beauty
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $13,860
Graduation rate: 83%
Largest program: Aesthetician/Esthetician and Skin Care Specialist
Tucson College of Beauty offers the following programs:
- Cosmetologist
- Hairstyling
- Nail Tech
- Esthetics
- Student Instructor
Turning Point Beauty College
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $13,283
Graduation rate: 64%
Largest program: Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist
Turning Point Beauty College offers the following programs:
- Cosmetology
- Nail Technology
- Cosmetology Instructor
- Hairstyling
- Aesthetics
Xtylo Beauty College
School type: Private for-profit
Net price: $15,298
Graduation rate: 83%
Largest program: Cosmetology
Xtylo Beauty College offers the following programs:
- Cosmetology
- Nail Technician
- Instructor Training
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