Best 20 Trade Schools in Arizona in 2024

Tohono O’Odham Community College is primarily for Native Americans, but people of all races can enroll. Its affordability and regional accreditation make it one of the best trade schools in Arizona. It offers academic programs as well as vocational programs, as do all of the community colleges on this list.

Mohave Community College offers affordable tuition and regional accreditation, something that for-profit vocational schools can’t match. Trade programs include a Practical Nursing certificate and an HVAC certificate. Mohave is a fairly large community college, with over 6,00 enrolled students.

GateWay Community College is one of top trade schools in Arizona. GWCC offers many trade certificates, including programs in Precision Machining and Carpentry. As a regionally accredited community college, GWCC also offers many academic programs.

Paradise Valley Community College offers quite a few leading trade and vocational programs. PVCC offers training programs for first responders and an audio production program. PVCC is known for offering many programs over the Internet.

Scottsdale Community College is one of several serving the Greater Phoenix area. SCC is one of the largest institutions on this list, with an enrollment of over 10,000 students. Its trade programs include certificates in Personal Training and Practical Nursing, among others.

Glendale Community College is a unique and innovative institution with several desirable trade programs. The certificates at GCC include law enforcement and automotive service programs. GCC also has roughly 60 academic programs for interested students.

Rio Salado College has a very large student enrollment of 52,000, including students enrolled in online programs. RSC is known as a leader in online trade education. RSC offers a unique online Dental Assisting and Hygiene program.

Estrella Mountain Community College is located in Avondale. It offers roughly 50 programs. Trade programs at EMCC include Automated Industrial Technology and Culinary Studies.

Mesa Community College is named after the city it is located in. MCC is known for its online programs, with over 30 certificates and degrees that can be completed over the Internet. MCC’s trade programs include welding and mulitmedia technology.

South Mountain Community College is located in Phoenix. It specializes in serving students from underrepresented communities. The trade programs at SMCC include mobile app programming and forensic science.

Chandler-Gilbert Community College is located in Chandler. It offers several trade programs that are rarely found at other schools. For example, it offers programs in Aviation and Aircraft Maintenance Technology.

Phoenix College is the oldest community college in the area, as it was founded in 1920. Phoenix College offers several trade programs in the health sciences. These include programs in Medical Laboratory Science and Dental Assisting.

Cochise College is located in Douglas, Arizona. Cochise College’s trade programs focus on construction and home maintenance. There are certificates available in Residential Construction Technology and and HVAC.

Pima Community College is located in Tucson. Pima offers some trade programs that are hard to find at other trade schools in Arizona. These programs include certificates in Culinary and Food Service and Surgical Technology.

Northland Pioneer Community College is located in Holbrook. It serves many Native American students, but students of all races can enroll. Trade programs include Cosmetology and a Nursing Assistant certificate.

Central Arizona College serves students in Pinal County with five campuses and two centers located strategically throughout the county. The Signal Peak Campus offers housing for approximately 250 students. The school offers a full array of academic degrees and certificates, career training and personal enrichment classes, online and university transfer courses, and continuing education opportunities. CAC has a long intercollegiate sports history.

Yavapai College is located in Prescott. It offers a blend of academic and trade programs. The trade programs available include certificates in Welding, Machining, and Commercial Driving.

Coconino Community College is based in Prescott. Many of the students are from rural communities or are members of Native American tribes. Coconino offers several trade programs in areas like Construction Technology and Hotel and Restaurant Services.

Eastern Arizona College is situated in Thatcher. It offers programs for students who plan to transfer to universities and trade programs for students who plan to enter the workforce. The trade programs at Eastern Arizona College include Welding and Cosmetology.

Arizona Western College serves students in Yuma and the surrounding area. It offers over 100 different programs, including several trade programs. The available trade programs including Welding, Plumbing, and more.