10 Best Trade Schools inFargo, ND

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If you live in Fargo and you want to start a rewarding career in healthcare, transportation, or skilled trades, this page is for you.

Here we will compile information about the top trade schools in your region and the programs they offer.

Most programs can be completed in less than two years and focus only on the skills that are directly relevant to your future career.

Hands-on training is typically an important part of trade school education, so students learn how to use real-world equipment and how to act in real-world scenarios.



1North Dakota State College of Science

About the School

North Dakota State College of Science offers a variety of programs that prepare students for careers in high-demand fields.

The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Courses Offered

North Dakota State College of Science offers academic programs in the following fields:

  • Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Human Services
  • Architecture & Construction
  • Information Technology
  • Hospitality & Tourism
  • And more

A variety of programs are available at the college, including:

  • Architectural Modeling & Design Technology
  • Building Construction Technology
  • Construction Management Technology
  • HVAC/R Technology
  • Mechanical Systems
  • Plumbing
  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems
  • And more

The curriculum and program duration varies depending on the pathway and the credential it leads to.

The Welding Certificate includes classes on Robotics, Industrial Shop Practices or Basic Metallurgy, Fabrication Methods, Print Reading, Welding Theory, Welding Lab, Technical Mathematics, the Science of Success, Social and Behavioral Science, Humanities, History, and/or Computer Electives.

Contact Information


2Moler Barber College

About the School

Moler Barber College prepares students for careers as professional barbers for more than 100 years.

Students get to practice at an on-site student barber college where they work on real clients and perfect their skills with advice from the supervising instructors.

Classes cover a variety of styles and techniques through hands-on training and small classes.

Moler Barber College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges

To qualify for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 17 years of age
  • Have a high school diploma or GED

Prospective students must also arrange for a tour of the school before enrollment.

Courses Offered

The Barbering curriculum includes classes such as:

  • History of Barbering
  • Ethics in Barbering
  • Bacteriology
  • First Aid
  • Skeletal System
  • Muscular System
  • Digestive System
  • Barber Equipment
  • Hair Cutting
  • Shampooing and Rinsing
  • Hair Tonics
  • Facial Treatment
  • And more

Contact Information


3The Salon Professional Academy

About the School

The Salon Professional Academy provides training programs for students who want to start rewarding careers in the beauty industry.

Classes are available for those who want to become cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, and massage therapists.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available at The Salon Professional Academy:

  • Cosmetology
  • Esthetics
  • Nail Technology
  • Massage Therapy

Program duration varies depending on the career path you want to pursue.

The Esthetician program includes 600 hours of training and can be completed in 18 weeks.

Students receive a kit that includes professional tools and technology.

The curriculum also covers business and marketing skills, including how to use social media to maximize students’ earning potential.

Contact Information


4Rasmussen University

About the School

Rasmussen University provides more than 50 career-focused programs in nursing, business, technology, and many other fields.

Some programs are available fully online while others also include on-campus courses.

Depending on the completed coursework and the number of credits, students can earn a Bachelor’s Degree, Associate’s Degree, or Certificate.

Courses Offered

Rasmussen University catalog includes programs such as:

  • Computer Science
  • Criminal Justice
  • Data Analytics
  • Graphic Design
  • Healthcare
  • Information Technology
  • Medical Administrative Assistant
  • Medical Billing and Coding
  • And more

Program duration also varies depending on the program and the credential it leads to.

The Medical Administrative Assistant program can be completed in as few as nine months.

The online courses are flexible and allow students to complete the program at their own pace from the comfort of their homes.

The program offers small class sizes.

The curriculum includes courses on:

  • Foundations of Medical Administration
  • Customer Service in Healthcare
  • Technology Today for Medical Administration
  • And more

In total, students complete 12 courses and achieve 38 credit hours.

Contact Information


5Lynnes Welding Training

About the School

Lynnes Welding Training prepares students for a welding career through short-term programs, small class sizes, hands-on welding, and other welding-related classes.

The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Courses Offered

Lynnes Welding Training provides the following welding programs:

  • Combination Welder I Program- a 12-week program
  • Combination Welder II Program- a 16-week program

The following welding skills courses are also available at the school:

  • GMAW- Gas Metal Arc Welding- 120 and 200-hour programs are available
  • GTAW- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding- a 120-hour class that can be completed in three weeks
  • GTAW Pipe Welding Training
  • SMAW- Shielded Metal Arc Welding- a three-week program that includes 120 hours of training
  • Uphill SMAW Pipe Welding- a 200-hour program that can be completed in five weeks

Contact Information


6Commercial Education and Safety LLC

About the School

Commercial Education and Safety LLC is a privately owned truck driving training institution.

The school is licensed and organized under the laws of North Dakota and is a training provider registered with the FMCSA.

Courses Offered

The following CDL courses are available:

ELDT Theory Course- a course intended to meet all the theory requirements listed in federal regulations, including:

  • Driver Safety Fundamentals
  • Trucking Industry Regulations
  • State and Local Laws Affecting Trucking
  • Federal Bridge Formula
  • Vehicle Instruments
  • Basic Commercial Vehicle Control
  • Right Turns
  • Left Turns
  • Suspension System Inspection
  • Interior System Inspection
  • General Braking Principles
  • Basic Backing Maneuvers
  • Introduction to Coupling and Uncoupling
  • And more

The school also provides 160 hours of behind-the-wheel training (CDL-A)- a course designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills needed for completing the Commercial Driver’s License exam.

The program includes:

  • Safety Tractor- Trailer Operation
  • Map reading and route planning
  • Pre-trip inspection
  • Basic preventive maintenance
  • Backing instructions
  • Driving instructions
  • And more

Contact Information


7Elite Massage Academy

About the School

Elite Massage Academy, LLC offers 1,100 hours of training that prepares students with the tools, abilities, and confidence needed for a career as a massage therapist.

Students work with a synthetic replica to practice hands-on the skills learned in class.

The replica depicts deep and superficial musculature, as well as the body’s major nerves, vessels, tissues, and organs.

Students prepare for the MBLEx examination- a standardized exam that tests the knowledge needed before practicing massage therapy.

Many states require that students pass this exam before obtaining a license.

The school collaborates with instructors from fields such as Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, Dermatology, and Nursing to ensure students gain medical-focused training,

Contact Information

  • Address: 1121 Westrac Dr. Suite 202, Fargo, ND 5810
  • Phone: 701.200.3285
  • Website: https://emafargo.com

8Dakota Barber Academy

About the School

Dakota Barber Academy offers training programs for students who would like to start a career as barbers.

The 1,500 hours program is available in full-time and part-time schedules.

The full-time program can be completed in under 10 months with classes running Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Part-time students graduate in under 18 months with classes taking place Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The school also provides Refresher courses and State Board Exam Prep.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean hourly wage reported by barbers as of May 2021 was $17.16

Salaries vary depending on the state and a variety of other factors.

In North Dakota, workers in this profession reportedly made $15,40 per hour on average or $32,040 per year.

Salaries, however, range from less than $23,000 to more than $56,000 annually based on experience, location, and other factors.

Contact Information


9Josef's School of Hair, Skin & Body

About the School

Josef’s School of Hair, Skin & Body provides training programs for students who want to start careers in the beauty industry.

Classes are available in Fargo and Grand Forks.

Courses Offered

Fargo students can choose from the following programs:

  • Cosmetology- a 1,500-clock-hour program that teaches students how to cut, color, and style hair while also covering the business skills needed to be successful in this field.
  • Skin Esthetics- a 600-clock-hour program that combines theory, and hands-on training, and teaches students how to use skin care products and highly specialized equipment
  • Massage Therapy- 750 hours that covers topics such as:
    • Anatomy and Kinesiology
    • Pathology
    • First Aid, Hygiene, & CPR
    • Business Practices
    • Clinical Practices
    • Practical Application

Massage therapy students learn various modalities, including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, Pregnancy, Geriatrics, Chair, Salt Scrubs, and Sports massage.

The Massage Therapy program costs $14,200 if completed within normal time.

The Skin Esthetics program costs $10,770, while the Cosmetology program costs $18,800.

Contact Information


10160 Driving Academy of Fargo

About the School

Fargo provides training options for those who want to become commercial truck drivers.

One such school is 160 Driving Academy, one of the top driving schools in the country with locations throughout the United States.

The school prepares students for their CDL license in just four weeks.

Courses Offered

The following truck driving classes are available at 160 Driving Academy: CDL Training, CDL Class A, CDL Refresher Course, CDL Test Preps

The CDL training program includes two parts:

  • Classroom instruction which takes up one-quarter of the four-week course and teaches the rules and regulations of truck driving
  • Behind-the-Wheel Training- this includes practice driving on the school’s course as well as local roads, streets, and highways

Interstate routes are also included in the behind-the-wheel training part, to prepare students for the exam.

Students also receive many hours of observation experience to perfect their driving technique while observing other students.

In total, students spend 40 hours in classroom instruction and 120 hours behind the wheel, driving on local and interstate roads and learning by observing other students.

The CDL Class A license allows students to drive a truck that is 26,001 pounds or more- this includes most tractor-trailers.

Contact Information


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants230$59,500$28.61$77,780$41,800
Medical Records Specialists180$54,450$26.18$72,340$37,450
Nursing Assistants3,230$40,570$19.51$47,290$32,230
Dental Assistants330$53,150$25.55$61,640$45,280
Medical Assistants190$41,120$19.77$50,070$28,410
Phlebotomists140$42,550$20.46$49,960$32,550
Electricians820$68,280$32.83$93,920$40,230
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters540$64,590$31.05$86,090$40,060
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics580$52,820$25.39$74,720$37,730
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers410$65,640$31.56$82,260$45,600
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Fargo, ND-MN metropolitan statistical area, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to put your dreams on hold just because you can’t afford to spend four years in higher education.

Trade schools provide a less expensive and time-consuming alternative.

Now that you have read our list, it’s time to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your learning style, budget, and career aspirations.


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