10 Best Trade Schools inMesa, AZ

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Trade schools offer a variety of educational alternatives for students who want to learn a new craft and get job-ready in a matter of months.

This page compiles information about some of the best trade schools in Mesa, Arizona.

Our selection includes a wide variety of programs designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in some of the most in-demand industries.

This list is meant to help you compare the best vocational programs that are available in Mesa and choose the one that best suits your schedule, budget, and educational needs.



1American Institute of Dental Assisting

American Institute of Dental Assisting offers courses for future dental assistants.

The Mesa and Phoenix schools provide students with hands-on experience with real doctors treating real patients in a real dental facility.

The school follows a curriculum handcrafted by Dr.Eldon Hastings, with over 40 years of experience in Dentistry in Arizona.

After finishing the 13-week dental assistant program, students will have the clinical experience needed to start a career.

Students train in an actual dental clinic with real patients under the guidance of licensed dentists.

The school offers day, evening and weekend classes, to accommodate student schedules.

AIDA students also learn to take real digital x-rays and pantographs.

The school has a multi-station dental software laboratory where students are taught how to use Dentrix.

The school is licensed by the Arizona Board of Private Post Secondary Education.

American Institute of Dental Assisting offers Lifetime Job Placement Assistance, including resume preparation, assistance in writing cover letters, direct placement of job leads, mock interviews, clinical reviews and internship/externship opportunities.

Contact information:


2Arizona Medical Training Institute

Arizona Medical Training Institute (AMTI) has been one of Arizona’s leading medical training program for almost two decades.

The Institute provides healthcare programs for those who want to further their medical training or start a new career.

The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to fit students’ schedules.

The Institute offers blended eLearning which combines online self-learning of general course material and in-class instructor-led training.

According to the Arizona State Board of Nursing, the Institute’s students passed their State Board exam at a rate well above the state average.

Fees. Tuition varies by program: the Assisted Living Caregiver program costs $499, the CNA course costs 1,355, while the Phlebotomy Technician program costs $2,065.

Tuition costs include books and supplies.

Payment options are available.

Courses offered:

  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Cardiographic Technician (EKG Technician)
  • CNA to Caregiver Bridge
  • Assisted Living Caregiver
  • Assisted Living Manager
  • Restorative CNA
  • IV Insertion Therapy
  • ASCP/AMT Phlebotomy Exam Prep
  • Assisted Living Manager
  • Assisted Living Caregiver
  • Assisted Living Consulting
  • CPR/First Aid

Contact information:


3JJ Beauty Industry

JJ Beauty Institute is offering training programs for future Cosmetologists, nail technicians, and stylists.

Founded in 2014, the Institute is family-owned and operated.

The Cosmetology Certification program teaches students about hairstyling, hair coloring, makeup application, facials, waxing, eyelash extensions and much more.

Those who want to obtain a cosmetology license in Arizona must complete 1600 hours of training.

Graduates are ready to take the test at the State Board of Cosmetology.

You have to be at least 18 or have a high school diploma or GED to take the State exam.

The Nail Technician Certification program covers manicure, pedicure, sculptor nails, nail art techniques and much more.

The Styling Certification program teaches students about hair dimension, hair coloring, perming, straightening, hair styling, extensions and men and women haircuts.

Fees. Tuition fees vary by program.

Courses offered:

  • Cosmetology Certification
  • Nail Technician Certification
  • Styling Certification

Contact information:


4Avalon School of Cosmetology

Avalon School of Cosmetology offers cosmetology and esthetics courses at its Mesa Campus.

Students can also learn Makeup Artistry and Advanced Hair Extensions.

Avalon School of Cosmetology is accredited by The National National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.

The Cosmetology program covers the basic foundations of hair cutting, hair coloring, hair styling, makeup artistry, manicuring techniques and more.

The Esthetics program teaches students about histology and Physiology of skin, skin analysis and consultation, sanitation and disinfection, micro-dermabrasion, spa therapies, and much more.

During the Makeup Artistry class, students learn about makeup fundamentals, basic skincare, makeup application, networking, and how to create a portfolio.

Enrollment. Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent.

A copy of Social Security Card along and a copy of a photo ID are also requested.

Prospective students must complete a pre-application interview questionnaire and a career planning interview.

Fees. The application fee is $50.

Total tuition costs vary by program; the Cosmetology Student Instructor course costs $3,025 while the Cosmetologist course costs $16,800.

The cost of Advanced courses varies between $395-$975.

Avalon School of Cosmetology offers scholarships to qualifying students.

Courses offered:

  • Cosmetology
  • Esthetics
  • Cosmetology Student Instructor
  • Makeup Artistry
  • Advanced Hair Extensions

Contact information:

  • The Mesa Campus is located at 2111 S Alma School Rd, Mesa, AZ 85210
  • Phone: 480-897-1688
  • Website: https://avalon.edu

5Mesa Barber School

Mesa Barber School is a family-owned business opened in January 2014.

Students learn about the principles and practices of barbering and get marketable skills and professional attitudes.

Instruction combines theory,  practical work, group, and individual activities.

After graduation, students are ready to enter the barber profession.

The 750-hours Barber Stylist program is for those who already have a Cosmetology license and want a Barber License.

The 1,500-hours Barber Program is a combination of lecture, demonstration, student practice and experience on the public, while supervised by an Instructor.

After graduation, students possess the required knowledge and skills to pass the Arizona Board of Barbers Examination and the ability to obtain suitable employment as Barbers.

Fees. Tuition fees vary by program.

The Barber Stylist program costs $7,200 while the Barber program costs $9,200.

Courses offered:

  • Barber Stylist
  • Barber
  • Barber Instructor

Contact information:


6Arizona Contractors License Center

Arizona Contractor License Center is providing contractors the necessary tools to pass the license exam and start a successful career.

Students learn how to establish their entity, secure bonding coverage, get their contractor license, insure risk and outsource employer responsibilities.

The school offers a no pass-no pay guarantee; if a student is unable to pass the exam the school will refund the entire seminar fee.

The preparation process for the Business Management Test includes a video presentation and covers a variety of topics, such as entity types, bonds, insurance, employer obligations, contracts, liens, project management and much more.

The school staff includes licensing specialists who will work with students to determine which Arizona Contractor license they need and ensure that the licensing criteria are met before they schedule the state exams.

In order to qualify for a Contractor license in Arizona, applicants must pass a business management test and/or trade test with over 70% and possess the required experience for the license they wish to apply for.

Some license classifications also require passing a trade exam.

Fees. The Business Management Test preparation costs $150, the Trade Test preparation costs $250.

Contact information:

  • The Mesa Campus: 3617 E Southern Ave, Suite A2, Mesa, AZ 85206
  • Phone: 480-981-1330
  • Website: https://www.azclc.com

7Arizona School of Integrative Studies

Arizona School of Integrative Studies is a fully-accredited massage therapy school with four campuses in Arizona.

Graduates are licensed by the state of Arizona and are eligible to sit for the MBLEx exam, which allows them to practice massage in most states.

The Massage course covers Swedish Massage, Connective Tissue Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, Integrative Massage, Hydrotherapy, Chiropractic Assistant Training and much more.

Arizona School of Integrative Studies is licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Post-Secondary Education and accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET).

Enrollment. Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent and must be at least 18 years old by the start of the program or have permission from a parent or legal guardian.

The first step in the enrollment process is to complete an online application.

Fees. The application fee is $50.

Tuition is $10,000 (assuming the normal time of completion); books and supplies cost an additional $800.

Financial aid options are available to qualifying students.

Contact information:


8Classic Air Aviation

Classic Air Aviation is offering flight training from private to a professional level.

The flight school located at the historic Falcon Field Airport provides self-paced and fast-track programs for private pilot, instrument, commercial pilot, and certified flight instructor (CFI) ratings.

Classic Air has been offering professional aviation services since 2005.

The school also offers add-ons such as AZ tailwheel endorsements and complex aircraft endorsements.

The school is FAA-approved.

You have to be at least 17 years of age at the time of your practical and oral exam for private pilot license and 16 years old to solo.

Enrollment. Applicants can call, apply online or stop by the school’s office.

Fees. Training fees vary by program and aircraft.

The 50 hours of training required for the private pilot program cost $7,000 on the Cessna 172, the instructor fee (for 40 hours) is an additional $2,800, ground school costs $1,400 and the 3 hours of phase checks cost $231.

The school offers various financing options.

Courses offered:

  • Private Pilot
  • Instrument Rating
  • Commercial Certificate
  • Multi-engine Rating
  • Certified Flight Instructor
  • Military Flight Training

Contact information:


9Carrington College

The Carrington College Mesa campus offers career training for those who want to start a career in healthcare.

The College offers associate degrees or certificate programs in some of today’s fastest-growing fields.

The Mesa campus consists of two buildings, within walking distance of each other.

The curriculum includes hands-on training with technologies and processes used in the field.

Carrington College prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their field.

Program length varies between three months and two years.

Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

Enrollment. Admission requirements vary by program.

For most programs, students must be 18 years of age or older and possess a high school diploma or equivalent.

Fees. Tuition costs vary by program; the Phlebotomy Technician program costs $2,400 while the Dental Hygiene Degree program costs $61,057.

Courses offered:

  • Criminal Justice
  • Dental Assisting
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Medical Assisting
  • Medical Billing and Coding
  • Pharmacy Technology
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Physical Therapy Technology
  • Registered Nursing
  • Veterinary Assisting

Contact information:

  • Carrington College: 1001 W. Southern Ave, Suite 130, Mesa, AZ 85210 
  • Phone: 480-734-2378
  • Website: https://carrington.edu

10Pima Medical Institute

Pima Medical Institute, Mesa campus is offering certificate and associate programs in allied health and nursing.

The Mesa campus provides students with hands-on learning opportunities in some of the most sophisticated healthcare labs.

Pima Medical Institute is providing healthcare education for more than 45 years.

The Institute is accredited by The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

Fees. Total costs vary between $1,624 and $47,852, depending on the program.

Financial aid is available to qualifying students.

Enrollment. Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

Applicants under the legal age must have written approval of a parent or legal guardian.

All prospective students must take an entrance exam and pass with a minimum score.

Prospective students can apply by visiting a campus where they will meet with a medical career specialist who will explain the entire enrollment process.

Courses offered:

Associate Programs

  • Nursing
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant
  • Paramedic
  • Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Radiology
  • Respiratory Therapy

Certificate Programs

  • Dental Assistant
  • Medical Administrative Assistant
  • Medical Assistant
  • Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide
  • Pharmacy Technician

Contact information:

  • Mesa Campus: 957 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, AZ 85202
  • Phone: 800-477-PIMA
  • Website: https://pmi.edu

Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants5,200$64,560$31.04$91,790$35,310
Medical Records Specialists2,720$45,820$22.03$63,040$31,170
Nursing Assistants11,200$38,350$18.44$44,470$31,960
Dental Assistants6,610$45,620$21.94$57,560$36,100
Medical Assistants13,670$41,490$19.95$47,570$35,440
Phlebotomists3,190$40,710$19.57$47,370$31,980
Electricians12,330$53,260$25.61$74,600$36,840
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters8,070$59,230$28.48$88,230$38,100
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics11,910$51,190$24.61$78,750$31,190
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers5,920$54,910$26.4$79,770$35,480
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ metropolitan statistical area, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

From medical assisting to cosmetology and massage therapy, there are many practical skills you can learn and many career paths you can pursue.

Mesa trade schools offer programs that can get you ready for employment in your chosen field after just a few months of training.

If you can’t afford a four-year college then trade schools are a worth exploring option.

Make sure the school you choose is trustworthy and accredited by government institutions.


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