20 Best Trade Schools in New Jersey

Become Team
Become Team
Published November 23, 2021

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Trade school can be an excellent choice for someone interested in following a vocational career path. Trade school has plenty of benefits, including less debt than a traditional four-year university setting while still creating opportunities for a high salary and highly skilled work with ongoing training.

Wondering whether attending a New Jersey trade school is right for you? Keep reading to learn more.

Facts About Trade School and Trade Jobs in New Jersey

Here are a few fun facts about New Jersey trade schools and jobs:

Trade Job Outlook in New Jersey

You might be surprised to learn how much you can earn with a trade school education. Jobs in New Jersey that require a postsecondary non-degree education have an average annual salary of $57,350. And depending on the career path you choose, you could earn six figures without a degree.

So how does this compare with the average salaries of other education levels? New Jersey has above-average salaries at most education levels. However, it's important to remember that those higher-level degrees often require a large price tag and substantial student loan debt, which can reduce the return on investment for that type of degree.

Here's the salaries different education levels will get you in New Jersey:

Trade School Average Salary
$57,350
Bachelor's Degree: Average Salary
$96,510
Master's Degree Average Salary
$97,2781

Average Cost of Trade School in New Jersey

The national average cost of a trade school education is $33,000 total. However, our list below of top trade schools in New Jersey averages $15,158.

If you opt to attend a four-year university instead, you could be looking at a $150,000 price tag, according to CollegeBoard data. You'll most likely end up earning more with a bachelor's degree, but for the cost and time you'll spend in education, trade school is still a great option with a viable career path and many job opportunities.

Many learners decide against attending trade school because they're scared of the messy, hands-on work they'll have to do. But technological advancement is just one of the trends changing the skilled trades right now.

Accreditations in New Jersey

When you're choosing which trade school to attend in New Jersey, it's important that you find one that is accredited by a regional or national organization. Accreditation means the school has been verified to provide a quality education.

Some New Jersey trade schools may be accredited by a regional organization like the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Others may be accredited by a national organization like the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and College or the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

On top of regional and national accreditation, ensure the program you choose has the proper accreditation from industry-recognized organizations.

In addition to being accredited, the New Jersey Department of Education licenses trade schools in New Jersey to educate students.

Financial Aid for Trade School in New Jersey

As we've mentioned, trade school is far more affordable than other types of higher education. And luckily, there are also scholarships available to help reduce the cost burden even more. Below are some scholarship opportunities available to trade school students in New Jersey.

Community College Opportunity Grant

New Jersey Governor's Industry Vocations Scholarship for Women and Minorities

For more information on paying for trade school, visit our guide on Vocational Education Financial Aid.

FAQs About Continuing Education in New Jersey

You can find online trade school programs in New Jersey. However, most programs like this will be hybrid, meaning online learning and in-person practice. If you choose a hands-on trade, such as electrical work or welding, you should always choose a school that teaches its labs partially in-person.

The national average for trade school is $33,000. The New Jersey trade schools on our list below cost an average of just over $15,000. New Jersey also has some great scholarships to help vocational students out with tuition and other educational expenses.

Students with an adjusted gross income below $65,000 may be eligible for the Community College Opportunity Grant, which provides tuition-free college to New Jersey trade school and community college students.

20 New Jersey Trade Schools and Colleges

There are many trade schools to choose from in New Jersey. We chose the top 25 New Jersey trade schools based on the following credentials:

Below are some of the top New Jersey trade schools in alphabetical order:

School type: Public
Net price: $13,164
Graduation rate: 65%
Largest program: Electrician

Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS offers the following programs:

Location: Hackensack

School type: Private
Net price: $16,402
Graduation rate: 93%
Largest program: Cosmetology

Artistic Academy of Hair Design offers Cosmetology, Aesthetics, and Student Teacher programs.

Location: Morris Plains

School type: Private
Net price: $17,026
Graduation rate: 62%
Largest program: Cosmetology

Atlantic Beauty & Spa Academy's Shore Beauty School offers the following programs:

  • Cosmetology
  • Skin Care Specialty
  • Barbering
  • Manicuring
  • Teacher Training
  • Brush Up
  • Shear Success
  • Makeup Continued Education
Location: Egg Harbor Township

School type: Private
Net price: $14,335
Graduation rate: 65%
Largest program: Cosmetology

Capri Institute of Hair Design's Clifton campus offers the following programs:

  • Cosmetology & Hairstyling
  • Barbering
  • Skin Care Specialty
  • Manicuring
  • Teacher Training
Location: Clifton

School type: Private
Net price: $8,495
Graduation rate: 83%
Largest program: Cosmetology

Capri Institute of Hair Design's Paramus campus offers the same programs as Clifton:

  • Cosmetology & Hairstyling
  • Barbering
  • Skin Care Specialty
  • Manicuring
  • Teacher Training
Location: Paramus

School type: Private
Net price: $19,791
Graduation rate: 88%
Largest program: Cosmetology

Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics & Cosmetology offers courses in:

  • Cosmetology & Hairstyling
  • Skin Care
  • Manicure
  • Instructor Training
Location: Pine Brook

School type: Private
Net price: $16,716
Graduation rate: 65%
Largest program: Cosmetology

Empire Beauty School's Bloomfield campus offers a Cosmetology program.

Location: Bloomfield

School type: Private
Net price: $18,612
Graduation rate: 63%
Largest program: Medical/Clinical Assisting

Fortis Institute in Lawrenceville offers the following programs:

Location: Lawrenceville

School type: Private
Net price: $18,055
Graduation rate: 74%
Largest program: Dental Assisting

Fortis Institute's Wayne campus offers the following programs:

  • Electrical Systems Technician
  • HVACR
  • Medical Billing/Coding
  • Medical Assisting
  • Lab Technician
  • Dental Assisting
Location: Wayne

School type: Private
Net price: $5,940
Graduation rate: 100%
Largest program: Nursing Assistant/Aide

Healthcare Training Institute offers the following programs:

Location: Union

School type: Private
Net price: $13,646
Graduation rate: 81%
Largest program: Welding Technology

Hohokus School of Trades and Technical Sciences offers many different programs, including:

Location: Paterson

School type: Private
Net price: $19,921
Graduation rate: 71%
Largest program: Heavy Equipment and Truck Technology

Lincoln Technical Institute's South Plainfield campus has the following courses:

  • Diesel Technology
  • Heavy Equipment
  • Welding Technology
Location: South Plainfield

School type: Private
Net price: $19,545
Graduation rate: 67%
Largest program: Electrician

The programs available at Lincoln Tech's Union campus include:

Location: Union

School type: Private
Net price: $11,008
Graduation rate: 87%
Largest program: Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology

Mobile Technical Training offers the following courses:

  • Automotive Detailing
  • Vinyl Wrap
  • Mobile Electronic Installation & Vehicle Customizing
Location: South Hackensack

School type: Public
Net price: $7,921
Graduation rate: 83%
Largest program: Licensed Practical/Vocational Nursing

Ocean County Vocational Technical School offers many programs in areas like:

Location: Toms River

School type: Private
Net price: $15,862
Graduation rate: 88%
Largest program: Cosmetology

PB Cosmetology Education Centre offers the following programs:

  • Cosmetology
  • Skin Care
  • Nail Design
  • Barber
  • Makeup Certification
  • Advanced Education
Location: Gloucester

School type: Private
Net price: $15,325
Graduation rate: 67%
Largest program: Cosmetology

Paul Mitchell the School in Jersey Shore offers programs in Cosmetology and Instructing.

Location: Brick

School type: Private
Net price: $17,787
Graduation rate: 85%
Largest program: Cosmetology

Rizzieri Aveda School offers the following programs:

  • Cosmetology
  • Skin Care
  • Barber
  • Lash Technician
  • Medical Aesthetics
  • Manicuring
Location: Voorhees

School type: Private
Net price: $17,597
Graduation rate: 67%
Largest program: Cosmetology

Robert Fiance Beauty School in North Plainfield offers programs including

  • Cosmetology/Hairstyling
  • Barbering
  • Esthetics/Makeup Artistry
  • Cosmetology Educator
Location: North Plainfield

School type: Private
Net price: $16,006
Graduation rate: 74%
Largest program: Cosmetology

Total Image Beauty Academy offers the following programs:

  • Cosmetology & Hairstyling
  • Manicure
  • Student Teacher
  • Skin Care Specialist
Location: Union City
Become Team
Become Team
Contributing Writer

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