Do you want to acquire a trade skill in any of the vocational schools in Houston, Texas? Check out this post to find out affordable programs offered at vocational schools across Houston.
The city of Houston is home to several accredited institutions that offer short-term certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs in various fields of study.
Vocational schools in Houston offer courses in areas like health sciences, information technology, construction, criminal justice, etc. These programs offer hands-on training and they are affordable compared to those offered at four-year institutions.
Whether you want to become a medical assistant, dental assistant, or HVAC technician, trade schools in Houston offer career programs in the best learning environment.
Online, evening, and weekend classes are also offered at some of the vocational schools in Houston.
Why Choose a Trade School?
Attending a four-year college or university is not the only path to acquiring knowledge or securing lucrative jobs after graduating. Trade schools may not have the number of students as a four-year college, but they do offer career programs to students.
Generally, the cost to attend a four-year college is quite steep, especially if it’s a private institution. Vocational or trade schools offer affordable programs and they also provide financial aid to eligible students.
The construction industry is vast and requires skilled workers with different expertise to complete projects. The construction industry needs carpenters, welders, HVAC technicians, and plumbers. And where do plumbers, HVAC technicians, welders, and carpenters learn their skills?
They acquired the knowledge and skills to fit into the construction industry at vocational or trade schools. And so did the diesel mechanics, and professional healthcare workers with trade school certificates.
Trade schools do not just offer affordable trade programs, they also provide financial aid to qualified students.
Programs offered at vocational schools take two years or less to complete. Instead of spending four years obtaining a bachelor’s degree at college, you can earn a short-term certificate within months or obtain an associate degree in just two years.
Texas is one of the states with job opportunities for trade school graduates. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Lone Star state has the highest employment level of electrical power line installers ad repairers.
Additionally, the city of Houston has the highest employment level for trade school graduates, especially for electrical power line installers and repairers.
Also Read: 10 Best Trade Schools for Welding in 2024
What Is the Average Cost of Trade Schools in Houston?
According to the National Center of Education Statistics, the average in-state tuition for a four-year public institution in Texas was $9,400 in the 2020-2021 academic year.
The average cost of a trade school in Houston is about $17,450.
Now the return on investment depends on the certificate obtained. For example, trade school graduates with mechanical and electrical certificates earn an average annual salary from $50,000 to $70,000.
Financial Aid for Vocational Schools in Texas
Students attending vocational schools in Houston can apply for financial aid. The Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA) is open for students to apply.
Although trade schools in Houston offer affordable programs, eligible students can apply for these scholarships.
Austin Community College Career Scholars
This scholarship is for high schoolers who want to attend a community college in the Austin area.
Automotive Aftermarket Scholarships
This scholarship is for high school graduating seniors who intend to study at any accredited college or university or at any ASE/NATE-certified post-secondary school.
COMTO North Texas Scholarship
This scholarship is only available for minority graduating high school students from Fort Worth or Dallas, Texas.
Trade Jobs and Salaries in Texas
Texas is one of the states in the U.S. with the highest employment level of electrical power line installers and repairers. Industries in Texas offer many jobs for trade school graduates.
Here are some of the high earners in the job market;
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics in Texas earn an average annual of $48,630. Electrical installers and repairers in the Lone Star state earn an average annual salary of $61,760.
Wind turbine service technicians earn a median annual salary of $56,260.
Programs Offered at Trade Schools in Houston
Vocational schools in Houston offer a variety of programs in various fields of study. They offer a short-term certificate that can be completed within a few weeks, as well as a diploma and associate degree program, which can be completed within two years or less.
Programs offered at vocational schools in Houston include;
- HVAC Technology
- Automotive Technology
- Aircraft Maintenance
- CDL Truck Driver
- Criminal Justice
- Medical Assistant
- Dental Assistant
- Medical Coding and Billing
- Cosmetology
- Electrical Technology
- Healthcare Administration
- Business Management
- Accounting
- Liberal Arts
- Information Technology
- Fire Service
- Education
Trade Schools in Houston
You can enrol at any of the vocational schools in Houston provided you meet the basic requirements for admission. Let’s look at the trade schools in Houston and what they have to offer.
#1. Universal Technical Institute
Universal Technical Institute is an accredited institution situated in Houston, Texas. It’s one of the best places to acquire trade skills in diesel technology and automotive technology.
This institution has other locations across the state of Texas. It reaches out to thousands of students by offering career-oriented courses. Their programs and classes are designed to educate students to excel in various career paths.
Generally, trade schools focus on training students in specific skills and do not offer general courses. At Universal Technical Institute, they offer programs that focus on important topics.
The aim is to educate students to fit into their specific industry.
Now the only way they will accept you at this institution is if you provide a high school diploma or its equivalent.
The overall cost for programs offered at this institution is about $20,000.
#2. Houston School of Carpentry
The construction industry is where carpenters, welders, and HVAC technicians fit in. Houston School of Carpentry is the perfect place for you to start a career if you are interested in carpentry.
Houston School of Carpentry not only offer a program to students but also provides labs and practice areas. Once you complete the program offered at this institution, you will have no problem passing the state certification exam.
This Houston-based vocational school provide some of the best educators and trainers in Texas. Students at Houston School of Carpentry acquire the proper skills in carpentry, all thanks to the program offered and the educators at the school.
#3. Houston Dental Assisting Academy
Houston Dental Assisting Academy is one of the top trade schools in the Lone Star state. It’s one of the best places to pursue a career in dental assisting.
This institution has some of the best trainers in Texas and what you should expect at this academy is nothing less than a modern or professional status.
At Huston Dental Assisting Academy, they want students to learn all there is in dental assisting. Students can work directly with patients and dentists to understand the basics of dental assisting.
This allows students to learn how to deal with challenges that may occur when they become professionals.
#4. South Coast Welding Academy
South Coast Welding Academy is one of the best vocational schools in Houston. If you have always wanted to build a career as a welder, South Coast Welding Academy is the place for you.
Their curriculum includes practice sessions and educative classes. The coursework at this institution is designed to educate and assist students in acquiring first-hand experience in welding.
South Coast Welding Academy provides practice areas for its students. They offer hands-on training and students acquire the right skills required to perform excellently in the state certification exam.
At South Coast Welding Academy, they also assist students with job placements.
Also Read: List of Top-Rated Cheapest Universities in Texas for International Students
#5. Fortis Institute
Fortis Institute is an institution that offers a variety of trade programs. This institution provides some of the top-rated technology and trade programs in the U.S.
You can find any of the branches of this institution across Texas.
The branch in Houston offers courses in health sciences. Whether you want to pursue a career in nursing, commercial driving, dental assisting, or cosmetology, Fortis Institute is the best place to be.
At Fortis Institute, students learn with modern medical equipment in a conducive learning environment. They also provide practice areas for students to get first-hand experience in dental assisting.
Learning with the perfect materials makes things easier and more understandable and that is what Fortis Institute offers.
#6. Florida Career College- Houston
Florida Career College- Houston is one of the top vocational schools in Houston that offers a variety of programs in health sciences.
For over 35 years, this institution has been educating and training students to become medical assistant technicians, pharmacy technicians, and dental assistants.
Florida Career College- Houston also helps students secure jobs in the automotive and HVAC industries. They also conduct classes on refrigeration system installation, engine theory, and troubleshooting.
#7. MIAT College of Technology
MIAT College of Technology is one of the top-rated trade schools in Houston. It focuses on offering some of the most important trade programs.
This college offers innovative coursework to several students. Programs offered at MIAT College of Technology include electrical technology, HVAC technology, aviation maintenance technology, etc.
The educators and trainers are experts with the knowledge to train the next generation of students in electrical technology and aviation technology maintenance.
The cost of a program varies based on a student’s preference. Expect to pay at least $12,000 for a program offered at this college.
Also Read: 15 Best Schools for Business in Texas 2024
#8. Arclabs Welding School
Located in Houston, Texas, Arclabs Welding School is one of the places where students are trained to become welders.
Generally, welding is one of the relevant skills required in the construction industry. Arclabs as an institution offers hands-on training to several individuals in Houston and its surroundings.
Arclabs Welding School has 3 standard classrooms and provides an outdoor stimulator to train students in welding, pipefitting, and inspection.
You can either choose from the 120, 280 and 400-hour welding programs. There is also a 900-hour training program and a 1,300-hour master welder program.
#9. Interactive College of Technology-North Houston
Interactive College of Technology offers a variety of programs which include accounting and professional business, business information systems, medical office administration, and bilingual administration support.
To gain entry into the Interactive College of Technology, applicants must present a high school diploma or its equivalent.
#10. The Vein Academy Phlebotomy School LLC
Start a career today in phlebotomy by attending the Vein Academy Phlebotomy School LLC. This school offers a program that focuses on relevant topics.
With the right materials and resources provided, students learn all there is to know about phlebotomy. Working directly with patients and learning how to care for different types of patients is one of the skills students learn at this school.
#11. Living Word Pharmacy Technician School
Living Word Pharmacy Technical School is one of the top trade schools in Houston. It offers affordable programs to students in Houston and its surroundings.
This institution offers medical programs and also provides some of the best educators and trainers in the state. At Living Word Pharmacy Technician School, students are not only trained to excel in exciting careers but they are also assisted with job placement.
Also Read: 15 Best Film Schools in Texas
#12. Pima Medical Institute- Houston
Pima Medical Institute can be found in other states across the U.S.
The Houston branch offers a variety of programs in the medical field. Before getting into this institution, students must present a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Individuals under the age of 18 are required to have written approval from a parent or guardian.
Conclusion
Texas is home to some of the best vocational schools in the United States. The Lone Star has the highest employment level for electrical power line installers and repairers.
Learn a trade skill today at any of the vocational schools in Houston.
