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
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).
Tuition
$146 - $219 per CreditContact
(715) 675-3331
access@ntc.edu
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.
Tuition
$186 - $216 per CreditContact
(270) 534-3435
wkctcadvising@kctcs.edu
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.
Tuition
$153 per CreditContact
(800) 342-4325
ndscs.servicedesk@ndscs.edu
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.
Tuition
$75 - $268 per CreditContact
(336) 723-0371
communications@forsythtech.edu
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.
Tuition
$76 - $268 per CreditContact
(910) 755-7300
admissions@brunswickcc.edu
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.
Tuition
$76 - $268 per CreditContact
(919) 866-5000
admissions@waketech.edu
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.
Tuition
$189 - $220 per CreditContact
(606) 436-5721
HCTC-Admissions@kctcs.edu
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
Tuition
$246 - $340 per CreditContact
(800) 542-6866
Email in Bio
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.
Tuition
$199 - $200 per CreditContact
(229) 333-2100
onestop@wiregrass.edu
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.
Tuition
$211 - $226 per CreditContact
(320) 762-0221
go@alextech.edu
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.
Tuition
$155 - $160 per CreditContact
(800) 748-7594
fortriley@bartonccc.edu
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
Tuition
$160 - $233 per CreditContact
(800) 243-9482
Email in Bio
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
Tuition
$100 - $200 per CreditContact
(478) 757-3400
Email in Bio
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.
Tuition
$207 - $228 per CreditContact
(800) 658-2330
admissions@mnwest.edu
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.
Tuition
$1,696 - $12,244 per YearContact
(415) 239-3000
admit@ccsf.edu
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.
Tuition
$76 - $268 per CreditContact
(910) 678-8400
admissions@faytechcc.edu
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.
Tuition
$76 - $268 per CreditContact
(336) 334-4822
webailey@gtcc.edu
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.
Tuition
$195 - $210 per CreditContact
(218) 333-6600
admissions@ntcmn.edu
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.
Tuition
$48 - $121 per CreditContact
(559) 325-5200
admissions@clovis.edu
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.
Tuition
$179 - $221 per CreditContact
(712) 274-6400
info@witcc.edu
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.
Tuition
$103 - $290 per CreditContact
(281) 260-3500
HN-Admissions@LoneStar.edu
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.
Tuition
$44 - $96 per CreditContact
(308) 398-4222
admissions@cccneb.edu
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.
Tuition
$2,030 - $6,638 per YearContact
(828) 286-3636
admissions@isothermal.edu
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.
Tuition
$3,186 - $9,330 per YearContact
(704) 922-6200
admissions@gaston.edu
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.
Tuition
$186 - $210 per CreditContact
(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.