Trade SchoolsIf you want to start a rewarding career in a skilled trade, you can become job-ready in less than a year by attending a program at a trade school.
Vocational training focuses only on the skills that are relevant to your future profession and consists of a large portion of hands-on practice.
To help you decide if this path is right for you, on this page we have compiled information about the best trade schools in St. Cloud and the programs they offer.
The schools included in our list prepare you for rewarding careers in healthcare, construction, skilled trades, transportation, and many other in-demand fields.
Costs vary depending on the program duration and the credentials it leads to but many schools also offer financing options to help you cover tuition and additional expenses.
So let’s see what St. Cloud trade schools have to offer!
1St. Cloud Technical & Community College
About the School
St. Cloud Technical & Community College is a public technical college and community college in St. Cloud Minnesota.
Students prepare for transfer anywhere or a high-paying job in two years or less.
They may pick from more than 90 program options.
SCTCC is committed to providing students with an affordable learning experience and the services and resources they need to succeed in the classroom and after graduation.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Total resident/non-resident tuition is $203.16 per credit.
Courses Offered
More than 90 degree and certificate options are available at St. Cloud Technical & Community College, including:
- Carpentry Diploma
- Electrical Construction Technology- Associate in Applied Science and Diploma options
- Heating, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration- AAS and Diploma
- Plumbing- AAS and Diploma
- CNC and Advanced Manufacturing- AAS and Diploma
- Mechanical Design & Manufacturing Certificate for Continuing Students
- Welding/Fabrication- Diploma
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1540 Northway Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56303
- Phone: (800) 222-1009
- Website: https://sctcc.edu
2St. Cloud State University
About the School
St. Cloud State University Herberger Business School has developed an accelerated three-year business program in partnership with St. Cloud Technical & Community College.
The program gives students the opportunity to complete a Business Transfer Pathway Associate of Science degree at SCTCC and a Bachelor of Science degree in General Business at St. Cloud State in three years, including summers.
The program allows students to graduate and begin their careers more quickly.
The Herberger Business School is accredited by AACSB International at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels.
All Herberger Business School majors complete classes in accounting, economics, mathematics, marketing, communications, technology, law, ethics, and financial principles.
Contact Information
- Address: 720 4th Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498
- Phone: (320) 308-0121
- Website: https://www.stcloudstate.edu
3Minnesota North College
About the School
Minnesota North College was created to make quality education accessible to all.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Minnesota North College brings together five colleges and six campuses to provide quality and accessible education.
It has six campuses: Hibbing, Itasca, Mesabi Range-Virginia, Mesabi Range-Eveleth, Rainy River, and Vermilion.
Courses Offered
Minnesota North College features the following programs:
- Engineering- Diploma
- Law Enforcement- Certificate, Degree, Diploma
- Natural Resources- Degree
- Automotive Technician- Diploma
- Electrical Maintenance and Construction- Diploma
- Fisheries and Wildlife Management- Degree
- Nursing- Certificate, Degree, and Diploma options
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1501 Highway 71, International Falls, MN 56649
- Phone: 218-598-9300
- Website: https://minnesotanorth.edu
4Central Lakes Colleges
About the School
Central Lakes College is a two-year community and technical college with a campus in Brainerd and Staples.
The college is part of Minnesota State which is the third largest system of state colleges and universities in the United States and the largest in the state with 26 colleges, seven universities, and 54 campuses.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at Central Lakes Colleges:
- Accountant Associate in Applied Science Degree
- Accountant Diploma
- Automotive Technology- A.A.S. Degree and Diploma programs are available
- Bookkeeping Certificate
- CNC Technologies A.A.S Degree and Diploma options
- Dental Assisting Diploma and A.A.S. degree
- Trained Medication Aide Certificate
- Welding and Fabrication A.A.S. Degree and Diploma
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 501 West College Drive, Brainerd, MN 56401
- Phone: (218) 855-8000
- Website: https://www.clcmn.edu
5Ridgewater College
About the School
Ridgewater College is a Minnesota community and technical college.
The college offers nearly 100 educational programs that provide students with transfer and technical education opportunities.
The college has campuses in Willmar, Hutchinson, and online and serves more than 5,500 students.
Courses Offered
Programs are available in the following areas of study:
- Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Technology
- Agriculture & Veterinary Technology
- Automotive Trades
- Business & Marketing
- Construction Trades
- Cosmetology
- Information Technology
- Occupational Skills Program
- And more
Program duration and curriculum vary depending on the chosen pathway.
The Computer-Aided Drafting and Design program is available fully online and may award the following credentials:
- Computer-Aided Drafting and Design Associate in Applied Science
- Computer-Aided Drafting and Design Diploma
- CAD Technician Certificate
Contact Information
- Address: 2101 15th Avenue NW, Willmar, MN 56201
- Phone: 800-722-1151
- Website: https://ridgewater.edu
6Riverland Community College
About the School
Riverland Community College has provided higher education to greater southeast Minnesota and beyond for more than 80 years.
Tuition and fee rates are $208.99 for Minnesota residents and $235.99 for online students.
The college offers a wide range of academic programs, including bachelor’s degree programs, workforce-ready technical training, short-term certificate options, and the first two years of a four-year education.
Courses Offered
Programs are available in the following career clusters: Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive/Diesel Technician, Automation and Robotics, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Business & Financial, Construction, Education, Farm Business Management, Healthcare, and more.
Students may enroll in programs such as:
- Automotive Service Technology Diploma
- Bookkeeping Certification
- Carpentry, Commercial Diploma
- Carpentry, Residential Diploma
- Cosmetology Diploma
- Electrician- Construction Diploma
- Hair Technician Diploma
- Massage Therapy Diploma
- Truck Driving Certificate
- Welding Certificate
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1900 8th Avenue NW, Austin, MN 55912
- Phone: 507-433-0600
- Website: https://www.riverland.edu
7Northland Community & Technical College
About the School
Northland Community & Technical College is a member of Minnesota State.
More than 80 on-campus and online programs are available at the college.
The student-to-faculty ratio is 25 to 1.
Courses Offered
The following programs are featured at the college:
- Architectural Technology & Design
- Carpentry- Residential
- Construction Electricity
- Construction Plumbing
- Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
- And more
Programs may lead to associate degrees or diplomas, depending on the chosen pathway.
The Carpentry-residential program leads to a diploma and provides graduates with skills required of a carpenter in a variety of building construction settings common in both rural and metropolitan areas.
This program includes 34 credits.
This program costs $6,956.30 and includes books, tuition, student association fees, student life fee, technology fee, parking fees, and tools.
Contact Information
- Address: 2022 Central Avenue NE, East Grand Forks, MN 56721
- Phone: 800.959.6282
- Website: https://www.northlandcollege.edu
8Rochester Community and Technical College
Rochester Community and Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
The college offers the following academic pathways and programs:
- Accounting, Business, and Office Administration
- Agriculture Science and Natural Resources
- Health and Healthcare Support Service
- Peace Officer and Public Safety
- And more
Program duration and curriculum vary depending on the pathway and the credentials it leads to.
Students may earn a Veterinary Technician Associate in Applied Science degree after earning 75 credits.
Students take courses such as:
- Veterinary Surgical Nursing and Anesthesia
- Veterinary Office Procedures
- Fundamentals of Diagnostic Imaging
- Small Animal Care and Management
- Veterinary Dentistry
- Veterinary Technician Field Experience
- Clinical Laboratory Techniques
- Small Animal Disease and Diagnostics
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 851 30th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904-4999
- Phone: 507-285-7557
- Website: https://www.rctc.edu
9160 Driving Academy
160 Driving Academy offers a training program that prepares students for the commercial licensing exam and careers in the field.
The school has campuses in St. Cloud and Rochester, as well as many other locations across the nation.
Courses Offered
160 Driving Academy offers truck driving classes that help students earn a Commercial Driver’s License.
The classes teach the best procedures for driving a Class A truck and include:
- Classroom instruction that prepares students for the written exam
- A Field training part that teaches students hands-on how to drive a truck
The school devotes the individual time necessary for each student to perfect their skill set and pass the Commercial Driver’s License exam.
The CDL A program includes 160 hours of training designed to be completed in just four weeks by students who attend the program 40 hours per week.
The classroom instruction lasts 40 hours in total.
The remaining 120 hours are dedicated to hands-on driving training and observation time on the yard, local streets, highways, and interstate roads.
Contact Information
- Address: 1215 15th Street North, Saint Cloud MN 56303
- Phone: (320) 201-7701
- Website: https://www.160drivingacademy.com
10Anoka Ramsey Community College
About the School
Anoka Ramsey Community College offers a university-level experience that is both flexible and affordable.
Students may choose from a wide range of programs.
The college offers more than 100 transferrable courses and programs.
Anoka Ramsey Community College has campuses in Cambridge and Coon Rapids, Minnesota.
Tuition at the Cambridge campus is $164.72 for in-house courses.
Courses Offered
Degrees, diplomas, and certificates are available in the following fields:
- Applied Engineering Technology- Biomedical Design & Manufacturing
- Computer Networking
- Fitness Specialist
- Human Resource Management
- Pharmacy Technician Certificate
- Retail Management
- Therapeutic Massage
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 300 Spirit River Drive South, Cambridge, MN 55008-5704
- Phone: 763-433-1100
- Website: https://www.anokaramsey.edu
Final Thoughts
This page compiled information about the best trade schools in St. Cloud.
If you want to prepare for career advancement or for a career change but can’t afford to spend four years in higher education, we encourage you to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs, learning style, and career aspirations.
This is an important step, so take your time and gather information about all the relevant factors before deciding where to enroll.
Trade Schools by City in Minnesota
