25 Best Accredited Online Trade Schools Of 2024

25 best accredited online trade schools of 2024

Traditional colleges aren’t the answer for everyone.

The good news is that many ways exist to make a good living. Various high-earning job opportunities are currently in high demand and don’t require a four-year bachelor’s degree. Trade schools are perfect for people who want to skip the time and money required for a four-year degree and jump straight into a career.

That’s why we’ve narrowed down the top accredited online trade schools to help you pursue your dreams.

25 Top Accredited Online Trade Schools

#Wisconsin

Northcentral Technical College

Wausau, WI Online + Campus

If you’re looking for a smaller school that offers programs in fields in high demand, then Northcentral Technical College may be the perfect online trade school for you. Located in Wausau, Wisconsin, and accredited with the Higher Learning Commission, NTC offers majors such as nursing, welding, fire medic, applied medical CAD tech, crop science, and emergency medical technician (EMT).

Read more
Tuition
$146 - $219 per Credit
Contact
  • (715) 675-3331

  • access@ntc.edu

#Kentucky

West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Paducah, KY Online + Campus

West Kentucky Community and Technical College made it onto the list for Finalist of Distinction for the Aspen Prize 2021. The Aspen Prize acknowledges the best community colleges in the USA for their achievements, high-performance programs, and equitable outcomes their students receive during and after graduation.

Read more
Tuition
$186 - $216 per Credit
Contact
  • (270) 534-3435

  • wkctcadvising@kctcs.edu

#North Dakota

North Dakota State College of Science

Wahpeton, ND Online + Campus

With many online programs in health information, communications technology, business management, pharmacy technology, and more, NDSCS offers many options for students interested in various fields. They also offer a $2,000 scholarship to qualifying first-year students, which depends on high school GPA and ACT scores.

Read more
Tuition
$153 per Credit
Contact
  • (800) 342-4325

  • ndscs.servicedesk@ndscs.edu

#North Carolina

Forsyth Technical Community College

Winston-Salem, NC Online + Campus

Known for its high-quality and affordable post-secondary trade programs, Forsyth Tech Community College has had a track record of excellent courses and certifications for the past 50 years.

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Tuition
$75 - $268 per Credit
Contact
  • (336) 723-0371

  • communications@forsythtech.edu

#North Carolina

Brunswick Community College

Bolivia, NC Online + Campus

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and with an in-state tuition cost of $2,532 per year, Brunswick Community College is an attractive option for students eager to start a practical career while saving money.

Read more
Tuition
$76 - $268 per Credit
Contact
  • (910) 755-7300

  • admissions@brunswickcc.edu

#North Carolina

Wake Technical Community College

Raleigh, NC Online + Campus

Like many accredited trade schools on this list, Wake Technical Community College offers affordable and varied programs for those looking for trade opportunities.

Read more
Tuition
$76 - $268 per Credit
Contact
  • (919) 866-5000

  • admissions@waketech.edu

#Kentucky

Hazard Community College

Hazard, KY Online + Campus

Known for its strong technical base, Hazard Community College offers excellent options for those who want to major in various IT careers, such as networking, mobile app development, video game design, and information security.

Read more
Tuition
$189 - $220 per Credit
Contact
  • (606) 436-5721

  • HCTC-Admissions@kctcs.edu

#North Dakota

Dakota College at Bottineau

Bottineau, ND Online + Campus

This college has deep roots in the trade tradition since its start as a forestry school in 1906. Today, Dakota College at Bottineau provides 21 online programs that range from photography and medical coding to urban forest management, bookkeeping, and recreation management.

Email: alexis.bedlion@dakotacollege.edu

Read more
Tuition
$246 - $340 per Credit
Contact
  • (800) 542-6866

  • Email in Bio

#Georgia

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

Valdosta, GA Online + Campus

Get a 100% online trade degree, diploma, or certificate program with Wiregrass Georgia Technical College’s courses, which include corporate training, military training, apprenticeships, and student portfolios.

Read more
Tuition
$199 - $200 per Credit
Contact
  • (229) 333-2100

  • onestop@wiregrass.edu

#Minnesota

Alexandria Technical & Community College

Alexandria, MN Online + Campus

If you live near Alexandria, Minnesota, you can enjoy a blend of online and hybrid programs or take advantage of fully online programs that give students at Alexandria Technical & Community College practical skills and qualifications in fields such as nursing assistant, medical coding specialist, speech-language pathology assistant, and ophthalmic medical technician.

Read more
Tuition
$211 - $226 per Credit
Contact
  • (320) 762-0221

  • go@alextech.edu

#Kansas

Barton County Community College

Great Bend, KS Online + Campus

Looking for a 100% online associate degree or certificate program in wildlife sciences or accounting that won’t break the bank? Enjoy perks from Barton County Community College, such as the Barton Bound Scholarship for financially needy students.

Read more
Tuition
$155 - $160 per Credit
Contact
  • (800) 748-7594

  • fortriley@bartonccc.edu

#Wisconsin

Northwood Technical College

Rice Lake, WI Online + Campus

Established over 100 years ago as one of Wisconsin’s first technical schools, Norwood Technical College has an in-state tuition cost of $160/credit and $233/credit for non-residents. The school’s 35 online programs include criminal justice, tax preparation, childcare, and nonprofit leadership.

Email: ricelake.admissions@northwoodtech.edu

Read more
Tuition
$160 - $233 per Credit
Contact
  • (800) 243-9482

  • Email in Bio

#Georgia

Central Georgia Technical College

Macon, GA Online + Campus

Central Georgia Technical College is another great choice for those interested in an IT career, thanks to online programs with valuable certifications in AWS Cloud Practitioner and CompTIA A+.

Email: admissionsoffice@centralgatech.edu

Read more
Tuition
$100 - $200 per Credit
Contact
  • (478) 757-3400

  • Email in Bio

#Minnesota

Minnesota West Community and Technical College

Worthington, MN Online + Campus

With a cost per credit of $207, Minnesota West Community and Technical College aims to help students make the most of their online experience.

Read more
Tuition
$207 - $228 per Credit
Contact
  • (800) 658-2330

  • admissions@mnwest.edu

#California

City College of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA Online + Campus

Get an undergraduate education in your chosen trade field at San Francisco’s City College without wasting thousands of dollars in student debt. With average undergraduate tuition of $1,696 per year (in-state), flexible part-time or full-time program options, and a free application, this is another institution to add to your list.

Read more
Tuition
$1,696 - $12,244 per Year
Contact
  • (415) 239-3000

  • admit@ccsf.edu

#North Carolina

Fayetteville Technical Community College

Fayetteville, NC Online + Campus

Are you affiliated with the U.S. military? Then look as far as the Fayetteville Technical Community College, with a resident cost per credit of $76 and $268 for non-residents. Military students can access grants that can help cover tuition and military training credit to get administrative fees waived.

Read more
Tuition
$76 - $268 per Credit
Contact
  • (910) 678-8400

  • admissions@faytechcc.edu

#North Carolina

Guilford Technical Community College

Jamestown, NC Online + Campus

At Guilford Technical Community College, in-state students can enjoy a $76 per credit rate, with out-of-state students paying $268 per credit hour. Accredited by SACSCOC, this school has created an online Six Sigma Green Belt program designed to turn students into valuable and desirable business professionals.

Read more
Tuition
$76 - $268 per Credit
Contact
  • (336) 334-4822

  • webailey@gtcc.edu

#Minnesota

Northwest Technical College

Bemidji, MN Online + Campus

If you want to start a career in human services, health, business, manufacturing, or entrepreneurship, Northwest Technical College’s online programs can help prepare you for that.

Read more
Tuition
$195 - $210 per Credit
Contact
  • (218) 333-6600

  • admissions@ntcmn.edu

#California

Clovis Community College

Fresno, CA Online + Campus

Want a truly affordable trade program experience? Check out Clovis Community College’s online programs in business admin, criminal justice, computer information systems, behavioral science, liberal arts, mathematics, and legal assistant studies at just $48 per credit hour for in-district students and $59 per credit hour for out-of-district students.

Read more
Tuition
$48 - $121 per Credit
Contact
  • (559) 325-5200

  • admissions@clovis.edu

#Iowa

Western Iowa Tech Community College

Sioux City, IA Online + Campus

With an in-state undergraduate tuition of $4,922, Western Iowa Tech Community College is far below the cost of a four-year college degree. Online learners can earn a diploma, associate degree, or certificate in elementary education, cybersecurity, health information technology, child development, agriculture, digital crime, or payroll clerk services.

Read more
Tuition
$179 - $221 per Credit
Contact
  • (712) 274-6400

  • info@witcc.edu

#Texas

Lone Star College

Houston, TX Online + Campus

Get a top-notch online trade program experience with this SACSCOC-accredited Lone Star college that offers in-district rates of $103 per credit, out-of-district credit hour rates of $231, and out-of-state-credits at $290 per credit hour.

Read more
Tuition
$103 - $290 per Credit
Contact
  • (281) 260-3500

  • HN-Admissions@LoneStar.edu

#Nebraska

Central Community College

Grand Island, NE Online + Campus

At HLC-accredited Central Community College, affordability and accessibility are top priorities. The Cost per credit for resident students is just $96, while non-residents pay $44 per credit.

Read more
Tuition
$44 - $96 per Credit
Contact
  • (308) 398-4222

  • admissions@cccneb.edu

#North Carolina

Isothermal Community College

Spindale, NC Online + Campus

Skip major student debt with SACSCOC-accredited Isothermal Community College’s below-average yearly in-state undergrad tuition costs $2,300 annually. It also has no application fee and offers flexible part-time or full-time enrollment to suit students’ schedules and needs.

Read more
Tuition
$2,030 - $6,638 per Year
Contact
  • (828) 286-3636

  • admissions@isothermal.edu

#North Carolina

Gaston College

Dallas, NC Online + Campus

Gaston College is another accredited trade institution with the SACSCOC and currently provides 16 degree programs online. These include diplomas, certificates, and over a dozen hybrid programs in supply chain management and teacher preparation fields.

Read more
Tuition
$3,186 - $9,330 per Year
Contact
  • (704) 922-6200

  • admissions@gaston.edu

#Kentucky

Gateway Community Technical College

Florence, KY Online + Campus

With a cost of $186 per credit, Gateway Community Technical College is the final college on our list of best accredited online trade schools. It consistently ranks as one of the best online community colleges, thanks to its affordability and course offerings.

Read more
Tuition
$186 - $210 per Credit
Contact
  • (859) 441-4500

  • gw-enrollment@kctcs.ed

Final Thoughts

A trade school or program is a great way to prepare students for careers in healthcare, cosmetology, information technology, construction, carpentry, mechanics, electrician work, and more. Most vocational or technical schools offer rolling admissions and financial assistance, making it possible to sign up and start your degree within a few weeks. Before enrolling in a program, it’s important to understand how much online trade schools cost, how the programs work, the application process, and the pros and cons of attending these online programs.

Many of these programs offer an undergraduate tuition rate per year or a cost per credit hour that reflects a below-average cost compared to many four-year universities, including public and private colleges.

Consider whether a trade school is a nonprofit or a for-profit institution. For-profit institutions are focused on profit rather than investing resources in student education and enrichment like non-profit schools, which maintain high accreditation standards. As a result, our list focuses on nonprofit institutions to help you make the best decision for your present needs and future goals.