Trade schools in Houston provide opportunities for workers of all ages and career levels. Discover the difference between trade schools and some college programs, and the benefits of completing a trade school program.
Why Should I Consider Trade Schools in Houston Instead of College Degree Programs?
Trade schools in the Houston area provide career-focused training without the lengthy requirements associated with completing many college programs. Trade school programs that offer hands-on training allow students the opportunity to gain knowledge and technical skills without the requirements to complete many of the general education courses or prerequisites before even starting specialized courses of a college degree program.
Another benefit to choosing trade schools in Houston over college degree programs is the time commitment. Earning a college degree to meet the minimum requirements to work in some fields requires a commitment of up to four years, and longer for some professions. Students that consider attending a trade school in the Houston area often discover that they can complete the trade school program and start working in their chosen field in a matter of months.
Top 5 Trade Schools in Houston
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Interactive College of Technology | Houston, Texas |
| 2 | Pima Medical Institute | Houston, Texas |
| 3 | Houston School of Carpentry | Houston, Texas |
| 4 | Vet Tech Institute of Houston | Houston, Texas |
| 5 | School of Automotive Machinists & Technology | Houston, Texas |
Earning a trade school diploma or certificate leads to the potential for earning a good salary for many individuals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists information for workers in several trades. One example is the construction laborer, which the BLS indicates has a faster than average expected job growth over the next few years, with as many as 81,000 new jobs being added soon. The electrician field is expected to grow much faster than average, compared to other occupations through 2029, with workers averaging a median annual pay of more than $27 per hour. There are several other trades that are expected to experience significant job growth over the next several years.
Many employers likely prefer trade school graduates, compared to some college graduates, given the hands-on, specific training that students receive at Houston trade schools.
These trade schools in Houston provide a variety of programs that likely appeals to prospective students that seek training in a specific field without the long commitment and cost of completing a four-year college degree.
12 Best Trade Schools in Houston
Interactive College of Technology
The Interactive College of Technology has a campus in North Houston and a location in Southwest Houston. The Southwest Houston offers a variety of programs leading to a diploma or an associate’s degree. The school is also a licensed, authorized Microsoft Certified testing Center.
Programs that lead to a diploma include Accounting with Professional Applications, Business Information Systems, Bilingual Administrative Support, Medical Office Administrative Specialist, and Information Technologies Specialist.
School Overview
Pima Medical Institute
The Pima Medical Institute offers several associate’s degree programs along with several certificate programs. Students choose to earn a certificate in career programs such as a medical assistant, dental assistant, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy technician, or veterinary assistant.
Students receive comprehensive instruction, and hands-on training in their specific program.
School Overview
Houston School of Carpentry
The Houston School of Carpentry trains participants for immediate employment upon program completion. The school guides students through instruction and hands-on learning in a choice of three programs. The Electrical Technician Program provides students with the basic knowledge and skills to work as an electrical technician in several types of employment settings. Learn to apply the concepts of theory with technical skills.
The school offers a Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Mechanic Certificate program. The program prepares students to apply their technical knowledge and skills to install, service, repair, and maintain heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Individuals that want to gain advanced skills in this field have the opportunity to complete the 900-clock hour course that prepares graduates to work as a commercial or industrial Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer.
School Overview
Vet Tech Institute of Houston
Prepare for a rewarding career in veterinary technology at the Vet Tech Institute of Houston. The Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology degree program prepares graduates for careers in veterinary hospitals, veterinary shelters, boarding facilities, clinics, or other agencies or facilities.
The 18-month program, shorter than most typical associate degree programs, prepares graduates to perform general veterinary care, administer vaccinations and treatments, and assist in surgery. Students also gain experiences in the animal friendly classroom, kennels, laboratories, and surgical suites.
School Overview
School of Automotive Machinists & Technology
The School of Automotive Machinists & Technology (SAM Tech) provides students with hands-on training in programs such as the Automotive Engine/Block Machining program, the CNC Machining program, the Automotive Engine/Cylinder Head Machining Certificate program. The programs are specifically designed for individuals that want to work in the high-performance racing industry.
The school has affiliations with the NHRA, AERA Engine Builders Association, SEMA, and NMCA Muscle Car Nationals
School Overview
Remington College
Remington College is a trade-focused school located in North Houston that offers diploma and associate degree programs. Students that choose to earn a diploma choose from career areas such as dental assisting, medical assisting, facility maintenance, HVAC, or medical office administration.
The hybrid course format is likely ideal for busy students that cannot attend campus full-time, but that also want the opportunity to gain hands-on learning experiences.
School Overview
Aviation Institute of Maintenance
The Houston campus of the Aviation Institute of Maintenance allows students to start their aviation career at the aircraft technician school. Students enrolled in the Aviation Maintenance technician program train to become Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licensed Mechanics. The school prepares Individuals for their FAA Mechanic’s examinations, those who pass the tests become Certified Airframe and Powerplant Technicians.
The 21-month program provides comprehensive instruction in the service, repair, and overhaul of aircraft components and systems.
School Overview
Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service
The Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service prepares future professionals in the funeral services industry. The school offers an associate degree program in funeral service, yet many students choose to complete the certificate program. Complete the program in an on-campus or online format, and learn the skills to become a funeral director in the State of Texas. Program graduates receive a Certificate of Funeral Directing.
The Associate in Applied Science in Funeral Service is a fully accredited program.
School Overview
The College of Health Care Professions
The College of Health Care Professions offers students the opportunity to pursue the health care career of their dreams. The college offers an impressive list of more than 20 clinical and administrative health care programs for individuals that want to complete their training in a fast-paced learning environment.
Although the school offers programs that lead to an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree, students that wish to start their healthcare career as soon as possible often choose certificate programs such as the Dental Assistant Certificate program, the Vocational Nurse Certificate program, the Medical Billing and Coding Certificate, or the Medical Assistant Certificate program. Some courses are offered online.
School Overview
Florida Career College
The Houston campus of the Florida Career College offers students the opportunity to gain skills and hands-on experiences that leads to an entry level position in their chosen trade career field. The conveniently located campus offers programs in business office administration, health services administration, HVAC, information technology, medical assistant technician, and medical front office and billing.
Start working on your career in as little as 10 months.
School Overview
Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center
Students that attend the Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center Houston campus have the opportunity to complete their choice of the Professional Welder program, the Welding Specialist with Pipefitting program or the HVAC & Refrigeration Technician program.
Students that complete their program have basic skills in their field, and are prepared to work in a variety of career settings, either locally or nationwide.
The school offers flexible class schedules, and personalized support.
School Overview
Houston International College Cardiotech Ultrasound School
The Houston International College Cardiotech Ultrasound School offers programs in vascular sonography, diagnostic medical sonography, and echocardiogram technician. The school prepares students for their career by offering some courses online, and a comprehensive program of instruction and hands-on experiences.
Students gain the technical skills along with skills such as critical thinking and independent judgement skills that are vital to these careers.
School Overview
Our Methodology
We understand the potential difficulty of searching for trade schools in Houston, so we did the hard work of finding the best schools for you. These accredited schools provide a variety of programs, allowing for quick entry into the trade career of your choice.
The tuition rate includes the cost of the total program tuition, which may include some fees. It typically does not include expenses such as uniforms, books, or other expenses required by an individual school or program.
Do you need help finding the best school or college for your interests or needs? We can help you based on your selected program.
Please contact us if you work at a school and would like to include your school in our rankings, or if you wish to update the current information that we have for your school.
