10 Best Trade Schools inChula Vista, CA

Page Navigation

If you want to start a career in healthcare, skilled trades, or the beauty industry, this page is for you.

Here we have compiled information about the top training schools in Chula Vista.

Most programs are designed to get students ready for employment or the certification exam in less than one year.

After graduation, most trade schools award a certificate or diploma.

Associate of Applied Science Degree programs are also available at some schools and these usually can be completed in two years.

We invite you to read further and find out more information about the training options available in the region.



1UEI College

UEI College prepares students for rewarding careers in fields such as automotive, criminal justice, business office administration, healthcare, and more.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available:

  • Automotive Technician- a program that combines theoretical aspects with hands-on practice
  • Business Office Administration- a program that teaches basic administration skills such as Microsoft Office and QuickBooks, marketing, organization, accounting, and more.
  • Criminal Justice- a program that teaches students about the US legal system as well as technical skills, workplace behaviors, and more.
  • Dental Assistant- the program includes classroom and lab training and 170 hours of on-the-job externship.
  • Electrician Technician- a program that offers an industry-recognized curriculum.
  • Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning- a program that teaches Air Conditioning, Troubleshooting, and Green Awareness, among other topics.
  • Medical Assistant- a program that prepares students for entry-level front or back-office medical assistant positions in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices.
  • Medical Billing and Insurance Coding- a program that includes topics such as code medical procedures and diagnoses, insurance claim forms completion, assessing patient records, and a 250-hour externship.
  • Medical Office Specialist- a program that teaches health care fundamentals, office management tasks, insurance processing, coding and billing, and medical office management, among other topics.
  • Pharmacy Technician- a combination of classroom, lab classes, and a 120-hour externship
  • Welding Technician- a program that prepares students for entry-level welding careers.

Contact Information

  • Address: 1261 3rd Ave. Suite A, Chula Vista, CA 91911
  • Phone: (619) 739-4643
  • Website: https://www.uei.edu

2San Diego Medical College

San Diego Medical College offers a nursing assistant training program that is approved by the California Department of Public Health Licensing and Certification.

The program can be completed in 23 days.

The school has permits to do training in clinical settings.

To qualify for admission to the nursing assistant program applicants must be at least 16 years of age.

A copy of the physical exam and TB tests is required in the first week of class.

Tuition costs vary depending on the program.

The Food Handler Certification class costs $55 while the Home Health Aide class costs $450.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at the college:

  • Nurse Assistant Program- an entry-level course that prepares students for the State of California Nurse Assistant Certification Examination
  • Home Health Aide Program- a 40-hour program that was developed following the California Department of Public Health guidelines
  • Continuous Education Units
  • CPR First Aid Training
  • EKG Training
  • RNA (Restorative Nurse Assistant)- a 12-hour certification course for Certified Nursing Assistants who want to enhance their knowledge of restorative care.
  • Food Handler Certification
  • RN & LVN NCLEX Review

Contact Information


3Healthcare Science Academy

About the School

Healthcare Science Academy prepares students for a career in healthcare as nursing assistants or home health aides.

Seats are limited to 15 students, to allow each trainee to receive the attention they need.

To qualify for their CNA training program, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years of age
  • Have a valid ID and Social Security Card

No high school diploma or GED is required.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available:

  • Nurse Assistant (CNA) Training Program- a program that can be completed in 22 days and includes 60 hours of classroom training and 100 hours of clinical training.
  • Home Health Aide- a 40-hour certification training program that prepares students with the skills needed for providing personal care for patients in a home setting.
  • Restorative Nurse Assistant- a 12-hour certification course designed for CNAs who want to enhance their knowledge and restorative skills.
  • Vocational Nursing

The school also offers Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, First Aid, CPR, AED, and First Aid Certification.

Contact Information


4Pima Medical Institute

Pima Medical Institute provides a variety of healthcare programs at its Chula Vista campus.

Courses Offered

The institute provides the following certificate programs:

  • Dental Assistant- a program that prepares students for a career as a dental assistant, orthodontic assistant, oral surgery assistant, or surgical dental assistant
  • Health Care Administration Certificate- for those who want to start careers as medical administrative assistants, medical receptionists, medical office specialists, or another administrative position
  • Medical Assistant- a program that prepares students for careers as medical assistants in physicians’ offices, hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings
  • Pharmacy Technician- the curriculum prepares students for careers working alongside pharmacists to provide medications and healthcare products to clients
  • Veterinary Assistant- with this certificate students can start careers as laboratory animal caretakers or animal care workers.

Associate Degree programs are also available in the following areas:

  • Radiography- for those who want to learn how to perform diagnostic imaging examinations
  • Surgical Technology- a program that prepares students with the skills needed when preparing operating rooms, supplies, and equipment in hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, and other similar settings
  • Veterinary Technician- a degree program that teaches animal behavior and care, surgical assisting, nursing procedures, and other skills needed when nurturing the health and well-being of animals.

Contact Information

  • Address: 780 Bay Boulevard, Chula Vista, CA 91910
  • Phone: 800-477-PIMA
  • Website: https://pmi.edu

5Southwestern College

About the School

Southwestern College offers a variety of degree and career training programs at its five campuses.

Tuition for non-resident students is $289 per unit plus a $46 enrollment fee per unit.

The college offers 60 career education programs that include training in the following 12 industry sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Advanced Transportation & Logistics, Agriculture, Water & Environmental Technologies, Business & Entrepreneurship, Culinary Arts, Hospitality & Tourism, Education, Energy, Construction & Utilities, Global Trade, Health, Information Communication Technologies & Digital Media, Life Sciences & Biotechnologies, and Public Safety & Services.

Southwestern College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

Courses Offered

Certificates of Achievement are available in the following fields:

  • Accounting
  • Advanced Emission Specialist
  • Automotive Technology
  • Golf and Sports Turf Management
  • Nursing, Vocational
  • Paralegal Studies
  • And many more

Associate in Science programs are also offered in the following areas:

  • Administration of Justice
  • Computer Science for Transfer
  • Physics for Transfer
  • Mathematics Studies in Transfer
  • Business Administration
  • Geology for Transfer
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

Associate in Arts programs are also available in a variety of fields.

Contact Information


6Contractor License School

About the School

Contractor License School helps students prepare for the California Contractor License Exam.

Before applying for a contractor license, you need at least four years of experience in the trade you choose.

The schools are always enrolling new students.

The program includes four classes in total, each one being hosted once a week every Tuesday at seven o’clock.

None of the classes build on each other, so students can take them in any order.

Students may repeat classes to make sure they are ready to pass the state test with no additional cost for up to six months.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and they need a valid SSN or ITIN.

California requires contractors to be licensed to be allowed to do work over $750 including labor and materials.

Courses Offered

Four different types of programs are available:

  • Home Study- a course that costs $699 plus tax
  • Classroom- for $1,199 plus tax
  • Online Course- $999 plus tax

Both the home study and the online course include certification, a study manual, and access to online video.

In addition, the online course also offers live stream classes.

The classroom program also includes in-person classes in addition to the materials offered by the home study and the online programs.

Contact Information


7Eastlake Medical College

About the School

Eastlake Medical College is a nursing assistant school approved by the California Department of Public Health Licensing and Certification.

Their entry-level course is designed to prepare students for the State of California Nurse Assistant Certification examination.

The total tuition at the Chula Vista campus is $1,500.

The training includes a set of scrubs, textbooks, free tutoring, lab access testing preparation, and a variety of other materials.

Students also need live scan fingerprinting, BLS for Health Care Providers (optional), and a $120 CNA testing fee which is not included in the total tuition.

Applicants must attend an interview before being accepted at Eastlake Medical College.

This interview can take place via phone or in person.

Applicants under the legal age need written approval from a parent or legal guardian.

Eastlake Medical College is also an approved testing site.

Courses Offered

The following schedules are available:

  • 16-Days Weekday Class- takes place Monday-Friday- 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • 14-Days Weekend Class- Saturday-Sunday- 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • 14-Days Every Sunday- 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
  • 29 Days Evening Class- Monday thru Saturday theory from 5 to 10 p.m.

Contact Information


8Bellus Academy

About the School

Bellus Academy offers training programs that prepare students for a career in the beauty industry.

Their Chula Vista campus is a 13,000 square foot facility that can train more than 200 students.

Total tuition costs vary between $10,000 and a little over $30,000 depending on the program.

Bellus Academy is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences.

To qualify for admission, applicants must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent

All the programs available at Bellus Academy include a mock state board test to help students prepare for the state licensing exam.

The school has built relationships with high-end salons where students can complete the externship for the advanced cosmetology and esthetic programs.

Graduates also receive job placement assistance.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available:

  • Cosmetology- a program that includes at least 1,600 hours
  • Esthetics- a program that includes more than 600 hours of training
  • Barbering- a 1,500-hour program
  • Barbering & Cosmetology- a 1,800-hour program
  • Make-up Artistry- 150 hours
  • Spa Nails- a 600-hour program

Contact Information


9California Institute of Arts & Technology

About the School

California Institute of Arts & Technology offers an immersive virtual campus at home with hands-on lab kits, online interactive classes, and career preparation.

Their catalog includes 10 tech programs and students are ready for employment in as few as 15 weeks.

Programs are available at a Certificate, Associate, or Bachelor’s Degree level.

The cost per unit is $610.

Technology fees range from $100 to $1,250, depending on the program.

Students are also responsible for purchasing textbooks which range from $50 to $200 per course.

Those interested can submit an online application through the school’s website.

Courses Offered

The institute offers programs in the following areas of interest:

  • Information Technology
  • Cybersecurity
  • Cloud Administration
  • Networking
  • Coding

Students can achieve the following certifications:

  • Computer Technician
  • Computer Information Systems
  • Networking Technician
  • CISCO CCNA
  • CISCO CCNP
  • Cloud Administration

The school’s catalog also includes:

  • Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Computer Information Systems and Software Development.
  • Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems with three concentrations: Cybersecurity, Cloud, or Networking.

Contact Information

  • Address: 401 Mile of Cars Way, Suite 100, National City, CA 91950
  • Phone: (877) 559-3621
  • Website: https://www.ciat.edu

10Concorde San Diego

About the School

Concorde offers career-centered health care programs at its San Diego campus.

Students can prepare for careers in dental assisting, dental hygiene, medical assisting, nursing, and more.

The programs can lead to a diploma or associate’s degree, depending on the pathway.

Students can graduate in as few as eight months, depending on the program they choose.

Located just south of Greenwood Memorial Park on Imperial Ave, Concorde San Diego offers a learning resource center, labs, and a career service center.

The school also offers a dental hygiene clinic open to the public where students can get supervised hands-on experience.

Tuition ranges from $14,000 for the 26-credit Medical Office Administration program to $81,040 for the 105.5-credit Dental Hygiene program.

Concorde San Diego is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available in San Diego:

  • Dental programs:
    • Dental Assistant
    • Dental Hygiene
  • Allied health programs:
    • Medical Assistant
    • Medical Office Administration
  • Patient care programs:
    • Physical Therapist Assistant
    • Surgical Technology
  • Nursing programs:
    • Vocational Nursing

Contact Information

San Diego Campus


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants4,110$71,420$34.34$100,700$50,040
Medical Records Specialists1,630$57,990$27.88$91,380$36,080
Nursing Assistants9,290$42,420$20.39$51,820$36,810
Dental Assistants5,050$48,110$23.13$57,320$38,310
Medical Assistants8,810$44,960$21.62$61,550$36,690
Phlebotomists1,360$51,060$24.55$67,510$35,940
Electricians8,390$69,940$33.63$106,960$40,230
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters4,290$70,900$34.09$110,230$40,330
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics5,060$56,290$27.06$79,130$31,210
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers3,950$64,420$30.97$95,860$38,120
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for San Diego-Carlsbad, CA metropolitan statistical area, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have read our list, we invite you to continue the research and choose the path that best meets your skills and aspirations.

Take into account all the factors that are relevant to your decision, including curriculum, tuition costs, schedule, and accreditation.


USA FlagTrade Schools by City in California

See all schools in California >