Here is an article that discusses the top vocational schools in Arizona and the trade program offered.
Vocational schools in Arizona offer career-oriented courses in various fields of study. Whether you want to pursue a career in health sciences, construction, paralegal studies, or information technology, technical colleges in Arizona are institutions to rely on.
Trade schools are institutions where skills are acquired through proper training. Vocational schools offer hands-on training and provide the resources and practical materials for students to gain first-hand experience in specific trade skills.
Several trade schools in Arizona offer short-term certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees. Trade programs are affordable compared to those offered at a four-year college.
Why Choose a Trade School?
Vocational school focus on training and educating students in various fields of study. Unlike a four-year college where students take general courses, trade schools only focus on educating students in a particular area of study.
Programs offered at these institutions are affordable, which means you will spend less on tuition. In-state students benefit more from attending trade schools.
We can all agree that four-year colleges and universities have a higher tuition fee compared to the cost to attend a vocational school. Vocational schools in Arizona do not only offer affordable programs, but they also provide financial aid to eligible students.
Many people have benefited from the affordable programs offered at trade schools. It takes only about two years or less to obtain a certificate, diploma or associate degree at a trade school.
Additionally, vocational schools also offer online programs to students.
Also Read: Top 10 Trade Schools in New Jersey in 2024
What Is the Career and Salary Outlook for Trade School?
Trade school graduates are educated and trained to excel in various industries. They secure jobs as qualified electricians, medical assistants, dental assistants, HVAC technicians, paramedics, and construction workers.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, individuals with occupational credentials benefit from higher employment rates than those with academic credentials.
Now when it comes to salaries earned by trade school graduates, there are a few important factors to consider. Work experience, role, and location are the factors that determine salaries earned by trade school graduates.
On average, a technical or trade school graduate earns an annual salary of over $55,000. Some of the highest earners are dental hygienists and avionics technicians.
Dental hygienists in Arizona earn an average annual salary of over $84,000, while avionics technicians earn over $60,000.
What Is the Average Cost of Trade Schools in Arizona?
In the 2019-2020 academic year, students studying at public trade schools in Arizona paid $11,072 as in-state tuition fees, while out-of-state students paid $27,417.
The tuition and fees at four-year private institutions in Arizona were $12,895 in that same academic year. In the same academic year, in-state tuition at two-year public institutions in Arizona was $2,151. Those from outside Arizona had to pay $7,642 in tuition and fees.
You will spend less to attend a public or private vocational school in Arizona if you are a resident of the state. Private institutions have a higher tuition fee than public schools.
Financial Aid for Trade School Students
Besides offering affordable programs, trade schools in Arizona also provide financial aid to eligible students.
Unlike a four-year college or university, vocational schools offer affordable education. Tuition and fees at four-year public institutions in Arizona cost over $10,000.
Attending an Arizona public vocational school cost about $2,000.
Students studying at an Arizona trade school can benefit from financial aid. So, what are the requirements to qualify for federal financial aid?
To be eligible for federal financial aid, students must submit the FAFSA each year. Just so you know, federal financial aid may include scholarships, work-study programs, grants, as well as loans.
Trade Jobs and Salaries in Arizona
A college degree is not the only guarantee to earning a good paycheck in Arizona. Trade skills are in high demand in various industries, and some of the highest are dental hygienists and avionics technicians.
Below are some trade skills with their average annual salary.
| Trade Skill | Average Annual Salary |
| Automotive Service Technician and Mechanics | $46,900 |
| Cooks | $33,120 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics | $36,930 |
| Insurance Appraisers | $60,810 |
| Library Technicians | $35,760 |
Programs Offered at Trade Schools in Arizona
Accredited vocational schools in Arizona offer a variety of programs and they include;
- HVAC Technician
- Electrician
- Auto Mechanic
- CDL Truck Driver
- Diesel Mechanic
- Surgical Technician
- Dental Assistant
- Health Technology
- Phlebotomy
- Medical Coding & Billing
- Pharmacy Technician
- Welding Technician
- Medical Assistant
- Nursing
- Paralegal
- Criminal Justice
- Information Technology
- Liberal Arts
- Business
- Cosmetology
- Massage Therapy
Trade Schools in Arizona
Here are the best-accredited trade schools in Arizona and the programs they offer.
#1. Pima Medical Institute- Phoenix Campus
The Phoenix campus of Pima Medical Institute offers a variety of medical courses. Accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, Pima Medical Institute operates four campuses across Arizona.
The campuses in Arizona offer short-term certificate and associate degree programs in areas like nursing and healthcare.
To enrol at Pima Medical Institute, applicants must present a high school diploma or its equivalent. Those under the legal age are required to present written approval from a parent or guardian.
Pima Medical Institute offers a variety of medical programs at its Phoenix campus. You can obtain an associate degree in veterinary technician, surgical technology, and diagnostic medical sonography at the Phoenix campus.
Depending on your program of choice, expect a cost between $4,800 and $17,700.
Also Read: ASU (Arizona State University) Acceptance Rate, Admission, SAT/ACT, Tuition, Ranking
#2. GateWay Community College-Washington Campus
GateWay Community College is one of the top trade schools in Arizona. It provides technical and workshop training options to students, with over 150 certificates and associate degrees available to students.
Programs offered at this college include automotive technology, A/C & electrical accessories, arts and humanities, anthropology, and archaeology.
The registration fee at GateWay Community College is $15 and it costs $85 per credit hour for tuition. At this college, students must pay their tuition and fees before classes start.
Applicants under the age of 18 will have to complete the Financial Responsibility and Consent form.
#3. Arizona School of Dental Assisting
If you want to pursue a career in dental assisting, then you should study at the Arizona School of Dental Assisting. Through their 12-week program, students acquire the proper skills and experience to excel in the dental field.
Once the 12-week program is completed, students must also complete a 40-hour externship in a dental office. This allows students to gain first-hand experience in a comfortable learning environment.
To gain entry into this program, applicants must present a high school diploma or its equivalent. Applicants without a high school diploma or GED may enter the program depending on the outcome of the entrance interview with the school’s president.
The cost to complete the dental assisting programs offered at the Arizona Schools of Dental Assisting is $5,000. The fee includes both the $50 application fee and the $200 registration fee.
#4. Arizona Western College
This college is one of the top trade schools in Arizona. It offers over 100 certificates and associate degrees in different fields of study.
Some of the programs available at AWC include accounting, television production, and computer information.
AWC job training programs are funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It provides assistance for students to secure employment in various industries.
Residents of Arizona and California are both eligible to pay in-state tuition, while high schoolers pay reduced tuition.
#5. Yavapai College
Located in Prescott, Arizona, Yavapai College is a public community college that was founded in 1968. YC is one of Arizona’s top-rated vocational schools that offers a variety of transfer programs.
YC offers programs for students to excel in areas like nursing, advanced manufacturing, welding, hotel and restaurant management, and aviation.
Through the internship and career services provided at YC, students can connect with potential employers. Courses offered at Yavapai College are designed to prepare students to enter the workforce in Arizona.
Yavapai College also provides financial aid to assist eligible online students.
Also Read: 10 Best Trade Schools for Carpentry in 2024
#6. Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Founded in 1985, Chandler-Gilbert Community College is a small-sized public college in Chandler, Arizona. It offers over 70 certificates, degrees, and trade programs.
The main campus at Chandler is open for students to attend and online classes are also available at this college. Short-term certificate and associate degree programs offered at CGCC provide hands-on training in a conducive learning environment.
Students can pursue exciting career paths in areas such as aircraft maintenance technology, and air science technology. Chandler-Gilbert Community College also educates students on food waste recycling through its Environmental Technology Center.
#7. Glendale Community College
Glendale Community College offers both certificate and associate degree programs. Students can choose from any of the programs available to excel in areas such as business, health sciences, applied technology, and entrepreneurship.
Students studying at Glendale Community College gain first-hand experience through practical work. Those enrolled in medical-related courses undergo proper training to learn the basics of patient communication.
GCC also offer an apprenticeship in automotive services and carpentry. Students can also transfer from Glendale Community College to more than 40 four-year institutions.
Also Read: 15 Best Trade Schools for Mechanics
#8. Phoenix College
Located in Phoenix, Arizona, Phoenix College offers a variety of academic programs. It offers over 150 certificate and associate degree programs to about 17,000 admitted in each academic year.
Programs offered at Phoenix College include emergency medical technology, dental assisting, paralegal studies, etc.
Phoenix College provides the perfect learning environment to train students in health sciences. They offer a certificate in phlebotomy, which allows students to acquire the best experiences through intense laboratory work.
To gain entry into Phoenix College, prospective students are required to fill out an online application, submit their high school transcript, and participate in the English and math placement exams.
#9. Mohave Community College
Mohave Community College is one of the top trade schools in Arizona. It offers about 80 certificates and associate degree programs in various fields of study.
Some of the programs offered at Mohave Community College prepare students for exciting careers as dental hygienists, welder technicians, paramedics, and paralegals.
MCC offers short-term certificate programs that can be completed in just a year. If you are interested in obtaining a certificate in automotive collision repair, you can study at MCC to achieve that in 12 months.
Additionally, MCC offers scholarships based on academic merit and financial need.
#10. Northland Pioneer College
Located in Holbrook, Arizona, Northland Pioneer College is a two-year public college founded in 1972.
Northland Pioneer College offers both certificate and associate degree programs in areas such as HVAC technology, welding, and automotive technology.
NPC also provide resources and a conducive learning environment for students to excel as professionals in cosmetology. Learning in a spa or salon setting prepares students at this college to enter the workforce.
Northland Pioneer College is an institution that prepares students for licensing exams. Graduates from this two-year public college can sit and pass the Arizona Board of Cosmetology Examination.
#11. Mesa Community College
Mesa Community College is a public institution that offers a variety of programs. Students can choose from the over 100 certificates and associate degree programs offered at this public college.
This public college offers programs in areas such as nursing, cosmetology, audio production technology, and automotive services. Most of the programs offered at this college are available online and on campus.
Students can also enrol in hybrid programs at Mesa Community College and transfer to a four-year college.
Also Read: 10 Best Trade Schools for Welding in 2024
#12. Eastern Arizona College
Eastern Arizona College is the oldest institution on this list and one of the top trade schools in Arizona. It was founded in 1888 and currently offers over 130 certificate and associate degree programs.
Technical programs offered at Eastern Arizona College offer the best experiences and skills required to excel in health sciences. Graduates from this college can take both state and national exams.
Through their EMT and paramedic courses, students can take the paramedics exam organized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.
Conclusion
The state of Arizona is home to several technical colleges and trade schools. These institutions offer short-term certificates, diplomas, and associate degree programs in different fields of study.
Learn a trade skill today at any of these Arizona vocational schools.
