10 Best Trade Schools inOhio

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It’s simply true – college is very pricey.

Not everyone can afford a traditional college education, nor everyone wants to spend four and more years obtaining a diploma.

Trade schools, or also known as vocational schools, are a much cheaper alternative that can yield equally as good results.

The world is in need of specialized workers, which is exactly what trade schools are meant to do.

If you’re in Ohio and find traditional education boring, then look no more.

Here are the top ten trade schools in Ohio:


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1Cuyahoga Valley Career Center

Cuyahoga Valley Career Center was originally founded in 1972 by eight public school districts:

  • Nordonia Hills
  • Brecksville-Broadview Heights
  • Twinsburg
  • Cuyahoga Heights, Garfield Heights
  • Independence
  • North Royalton
  • Revere

Ever since it has been founded, this career center has been providing students with custom-tailored career-technical education.

The center and its facilities are very modern and progressive, allowing students to learn only the latest and most innovative techniques and skills.

The school is a Candidate for Accreditation by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education.

Cuyahoga Valley Career Center offers a vast number of courses in the fields of computer science, nursing, manufacturing, and many others.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be at least 16 years of age
  • Must provide proof of education – a high school diploma or GED
  • Call their admissions department to further inquire about any additional enrollment requirements for respective courses

Fees: The fees for each of the courses go as follows:

  • CPR – American Heart Association – $65
  • Emergency Medical Technician – $1,089
  • Practical Nursing (1200 Hrs.) – $2,500
  • Dental Assisting Program (216 Hrs.) – $4,359
  • EKG Technician – $1,445
  • Phlebotomy – $1,499
  • Cosmetology – $15,349
  • Graphic Design – $2,285
  • Web Design – $2,935
  • Advanced Manufacturing – $1,055
  • HVAC – $775
  • Freight Broker/Agent Training 180 Hrs. – $1,895

The school offers the following courses:

  • CPR – American Heart Association
  • Emergency Medical Technician
  • Practical Nursing (1200 Hrs.)
  • Dental Assisting Program (216 Hrs.)
  • EKG Technician
  • Phlebotomy
  • Cosmetology
  • Graphic Design
  • Web Design
  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • HVAC
  • Freight Broker/Agent Training 180 Hrs.

Contact:

  • Cuyahoga Valley Career Center
  • Address: 8001 Brecksville Rd, Brecksville, OH 44141
  • Phone: 440-526-5200
  • Website: http://www.cvccworks.edu/

2Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools

Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools offers high-quality technical education in multiple areas of expertise.

All their courses are in high demand, allowing students to rapidly find employment upon graduation.

This institution is accredited by The Council on Occupational Education, further proving the caliber of their education.

What’s also great about this place is the fact that it offers a job assistance program that is nationally-recognized for its excellence.

Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools institution also offers multiple financial aid options including:

  • Federal Pell Grants
  • Federal Direct Student Loans
  • Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Trade Adjustment Act
  • Veteran Benefits
  • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age and mustn’t be enrolled in high school
  • Must provide proof of education – a high school diploma or GED

Fees: The tuition fees for each of the courses go as follows:

  • Basic Police Officer Training – $6,275
  • CNC Machining – $7,775
  • Dental Assisting – $10,335
  • HVAC – $10,348
  • Medical Assisting – $9,296
  • Multicraft Maintenance – $10,630
  • Network and Cybersecurity Specialist – $8,638
  • Welding – $8,136

The school offers the following courses:

  • Basic Police Officer Training
  • CNC Machining
  • Dental Assisting
  • HVAC
  • Medical Assisting
  • Multicraft Maintenance
  • Network and Cybersecurity Specialist
  • Welding

Contact:


3Ohio Media School

With the rise of social media and related services, this area of expertise is bound to yield amazing career opportunities.

The school takes pride in offering a hands-on learning experience, offering students the chance to gain practical skills and learn how the real work environment works.

Their classes are very dynamic and progressive, allowing for better learning.

The tuition costs here are in mid-range, but the school also offers multiple financial aid programs to make things easier for individuals who are financially challenged.

Students praise their courses for being fast-paced and interesting.

However, the best thing about Ohio Media School is their dedicated, student-oriented instructors.

Each an every one of them is a seasoned media professional that are eager to share their vast experience with students in hopes of them achieving the same amounts of success.

Enrollment: All applicants must provide proof of education – a high school diploma or GED.

Fees: The average cost of tuition fees at Ohio Media School is $16,735

The school offers the following courses:

  • Radio & TV Broadcasting
  • Media Sales & Marketing
  • Sports Broadcasting
  • Audio Production
  • Film & Video Production
  • Hispanic Media Broadcasting

Contact:


4OVCT Career School

Ohio Valley College of Technology was originally founded in 1886 and it has been producing outstanding healthcare professionals ever since.

This school is for prospective students who are seeking top-notch education that’s not boring, repetitive, and time-consuming.

They are constantly in touch with industry leaders to make sure that all their programs are up-to-date and following all the latest industry standards.

Here, students will combine the best of both worlds – theory and practice.

They recognize the importance of individualized teaching, so they class sizes ar every small.

Ohio Valley College of Technology offers multiple scholarships and other financing options, including:

  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Student Loans
  • Nurses Touch Lives Grant
  • Alumni Grant for Nursing Education
  • Early Admission Grant
  • Community Awareness Grant
  • Imagine America Scholarship
  • Lou Holtz Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame Scholarship Matching Award

Enrollment: All applicants must provide proof of education – a high school diploma or GED.

Fees: Contact the school’s admissions department to get further information about tuition prices for each of the courses.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Nursing
  • Medical Assisting
  • Medical Office Administration
  • Business Administration
  • Dental Assisting

Contact:

  • OVCT Career School
  • Address: 15258 State Route 170, East Liverpool, OH 43920
  • Phone: 330-385-1070
  • Website: https://www.ovct.edu/

5Elite Welding Academy

Welding is one of the highest-paying jobs one could ever obtain.

However, learning to weld takes time, effort, and a lot of dedication.

But, the Elite Welding Academy is here to make things much easier and accessible,

The faculty is comprised of dedicated industry experts who recognize the importance of this job and want to create even more successful, motivated welding professionals.

They encourage individualized learning, tailoring the content to each of the students’ need and capabilities.

Elite Welding’s courses last for 26 weeks and will provide students with an exceptional hands-on learning experience.

The curriculum follows all the nationally-recognized guidelines created by the American Welding Society, the National Council of Construction Education and Research, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must provide proof of education – a high school diploma or GED
  • Must be in good physical condition to operate the equipment
  • Must have a good command of English

Fees: The tuition fee for their structural and pipe welding program is approx. $4,333 per term. There is also a $100 registration fee.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Structural and Pipe Welding Program

Contact:


6American Diesel Training Center

American Diesel Training Center is a rather new school that was founded in 2017.

It is estimated that by 2025, there will be more job openings for mechanics, than an actual number or working mechanics professionals.

This training center recognized the demand, so they decided to create a comprehensive course on diesel mechanics.

Deciding to become a mechanic can be a very lucrative career choice, as there simply aren’t enough people that are interested in this area of expertise – hence the high demand.

Their diesel mechanics course lasts for 300 hours and their training model was validated by over 75 of the school’s employer partners.

This school has become renowned in a very short time period and they even have students from outside of Ohio eager to complete their training.

Their instructors are mechanics professionals with years of active experience working in the industry.

Enrollment: Contact the school via the phone number below to get further information about admission requirements.

Fees: The tuition fee for their diesel mechanic course is $7,500.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Diesel Mechanic Course

Contact:


7New Castle School of Trades

Originally founded in 1945, the New Castle School of Trades has been motivating and educating aspiring specialized skill workers.

This is a multipurpose vocational institution that offers amazing courses in various areas of expertise.

New Castle School of Trades has obtained the following accreditations and approvals:

  • Accreditation by the Accrediting Commission of the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools
  • Approval by the Pennsylvania Department of Education
  • Accreditation by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
  • Approval by Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools

The school also offers en effective job assistance placement program that aims to teach prospective students how to excel in the workforce.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must provide proof of education – a high school diploma or GED
  • Must pass an entrance exam
  • Must fill in an application form

Fees: The price for each of the courses go as follows:

  • Combination Welding – $20,197
  • Electrical and Industrial Maintenance – $19,072
  • Commercial Truck Driving – Contact their admissions department to get further information about tuition costs for this course.
  • Refrigeration and Climate Control – $18,040

The school offers the following courses:

  • Combination Welding
  • Electrical and Industrial Maintenance
  • Commercial Truck Driving
  • Electrical and Industrial Maintenance
  • Refrigeration and Climate Control

Contact:

  • New Castle School of Trades
  • Address: 129 East 5th Street, East Liverpool, OH, 43920
  • Phone: 330-368-3130
  • Website: https://elp.ncstrades.edu/

8Ross Medical Career Education

Ross Education is an amazing institution that specializes in medical assistance and medical administration.

They aim to provide the best education at reasonable prices.

The courses have been custom-tailored to offer a fast-tracked, yet still high-quality, program that will allow students to seek employment straight upon completion.

All their facilities have been accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

Upon graduation, students will also be able to get certified as CMA or RMA.

Ross Medical Career Education center also offers career services that aim to prepare students for a successful future in the workforce.

They will do so by organizing mock interviews, collaborating with partners to provide students with externships, and organizing various graduate workshops.

Enrollment: Contact their admissions department to get further information about enrollment requirements.

Fees: Contact their admissions department to get further information on tuition fees and other additional costs.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration
  • Dental Assistant

Contact:


9ABC Bartending Schools

ABC Bartending School is probably the standard when it comes to bartending and mixology courses.

It has branches all over the country, and all its branches are very successful.

ABC Bartending School offers a nation-wide job placement assistance through its vast network of connections.

So far, this school has successfully employed thousands of students every year.

Bartending is an ever-growing industry and by choosing to go this route, prospective students will find jobs with ease.

Some of the places they where can work are bars, hotels, cruise ships, restaurants, etc.

The ABC Bartending School has also won numerous prizes for their excellence, including the 2011 Talk of the Town Award for Excellence In Customer Satisfaction.

Enrollment: All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Fees: The tuition fee for their bartending and mixology course is $295.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Bartending and mixology

Contact:


10My Computer Career

We all know by now that the IT industry is probably the fastest-growing industry in the world.

It’s no wonder that the number of individuals who’d like to pursue this career is rapidly increasing.

My Computer Career offers multiple certifications in sought-after IT-related fields.

They follow all the latest industry standards and continuously adjust their curriculum to remain current.

What’s also great is that you don’t need any previous experience – they will teach you everything.

The school has created a vast network of partner companies who help students obtain jobs straight upon graduation.

Every student will receive custom-tailored assistance from their Career Services team.

Enrollment: The only requirement is proof of education – a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.

Fees: Contact the school via the phone number below to get further information about the tuition fees and additional costs.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Microsoft Certification Course
  • CompTIA Certification Course
  • Cisco Certification Course
  • Linux Certification Course
  • EC-Council Certification Course

Contact:


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants8,200$55,320$26.60$78,490$36,700
Medical Records Specialists7,980$47,410$22.79$64,880$32,600
Nursing Assistants58,770$34,110$16.40$38,830$28,740
Dental Assistants11,460$46,860$22.53$62,750$34,760
Medical Assistants21,900$37,560$18.06$45,700$29,910
Phlebotomists5,290$36,360$17.48$44,750$28,160
Electricians24,770$61,090$29.37$85,530$37,500
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters13,520$64,950$31.23$90,740$38,230
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics23,100$45,720$21.98$65,770$28,100
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers13,710$55,950$26.90$79,480$35,650
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Ohio, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

Statistics have shown that there is a serious lack of specialized workers in the US.

If you’d like to find employment with ease, then vocational education is a perfect fit for you.

The demand is growing by the day, while the number of highly-skilled specialized workers is decreasing.

Stop beating around the bush and take matters into your own hands.