Best Trade Schools in Colorado

Millions of students across the country choose trade school instead of college. According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, about 11.1 million students took career and technical education programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels in the 2019-20 school year.

About 28.2% of students studied trades in health sciences, while others majored in business management and administration, law, public safety, corrections and security, or information technology.

Graduates from the best trade schools in Colorado often have less debt (if any at all) than college graduates and can gain hands-on training in schools to enter the workforce quickly. They can find jobs in Colorado’s fast-growing industries. The biggest increases in jobs in Colorado from 2021-22 were in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and transportation.

Keep reading this guide to learn more about the best trade schools in Colorado, trade school costs, and trades that offer lucrative careers.

Colorado’s vocational schools train students at a lower cost than colleges. Trade school graduates leave school with about $10,000 in debt, compared to college graduates who owe an average of $31,000. Colorado’s highest-employed trade jobs, which we have listed below, do not require a college degree.

Colorado boasts several private, non-profit, and public community colleges and vocational schools that provide training in countless fields. Specific program offerings vary by school.

Morgan Community College offers trades in automotive service technology, electromechanical technology, and welding. Colorado Mountain College features bookkeeping, bakery arts, digital production, EMT paramedic, and rope rescue technician programs.

Certificates, diplomas, and degrees take between 1-2 years. Students learn through classroom time and hands-on training in simulated labs or through apprenticeships.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), four-year public colleges in Colorado charge an average of $22,180 for in-state students, 5.47% more than the national average. Meanwhile, students attending two-year public schools in Colorado pay only $3,355 for tuition and fees, an 8.21% decrease from the previous year.

Two-year colleges, and trade schools in Colorado, offer a high return on investment. That said, not every two-year college offers cheaper tuition than four-year institutions. For instance, the for-profit Colorado School of Trades charges students $29,850, the highest tuition in the state among two-year schools. However, compared to four-year tuition, trade schools usually cost less.

As of 2021, workers in Colorado made an average hourly wage of $30.24, higher than the national average of $28.01, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. About 70,060 people in Colorado work as retail salespersons, 64,720 as fast food and counter workers, and 53,490 as project management specialists and business operations specialists — making upthe top three jobs in Colorado.

Not every student has the cash to pay for college. If students and their parents need assistance for tuition, they turn to federal financial aid, private loans, and/or scholarships. The request for financial aid for trade school begins with a free FAFSA form which determines aid packages.

Colorado trade schools that last longer than 15 weeks qualify for federal grants and loans more often than shorter programs. Although, students taking trade programs that run fewer than 15 weeks can qualify for the Direct Loan program.

Imagine America High School Scholarship Program

The Imagine America High School Scholarship Programwas started by the Imagine America Foundation in 1998 to provide high school students with funds to pursue a technical career. Students majoring in all trades can apply.

Columbine Memorial Scholarship

The Columbine Memorial Scholarship supports 12 students every year. It is managed by the Denver Foundation, which distributes $4 million in scholarships annually. Applications are available every January.

Colorado Second Chance Scholarship

The Colorado Department of Education offers numerous awards and grants directly to schools in the state and individual awards such as the Second Chance Scholarship. Eligible students must plan to attend two-year colleges or one-year certificate programs and bootcamps.

Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative

Funded by the Colorado General Assembly, this award aims to reduce college debt and increase the number of graduates from college and trade school.

For more information on paying for trade school, click here: Vocational Education Financial Aid.

Colorado universities and trade schools get quality verification through accreditation. Independent entities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education grant institutional accreditation.

Accredited trade schools have institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation for specific degrees, diplomas, or certificates. This matters because accrediting agencies protect a student’s investment, and also certifications and licensing agencies often require candidates to have graduated from an accreditation program. Common institutional and programmatic accrediting entities for trade schools in Colorado include:

Where can you find apprenticeships in Colorado? Check the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment ‘s Apprenticeship Resource Directory. The Affordable Tree Service trains future arborists, while the Affordable Fire Protection Inc. prepares students to become pipefitters and steamfitters. Trade school programs may offer apprenticeships, or students can directly apply through their school or professional organization.

Colorado does not have vocational high schools, but state programs such as the P-Tech program train secondary students for tech careers. The Colorado Community College System also offers career and technical training to middle school and high school students.

Each program on the list will meet our criteria, being: