10 Best Trade Schools inOregon

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When it comes to vocational education, Oregon is a great place for finding an abundance of dynamic courses that teach specialized skills.

Since, at trade schools, individuals are looking to master a certain skill, that means that the educational side of the courses must be flawless.

Luckily, there are many Oregon trade schools that go above and beyond to properly train their students.

Here are the top ten trade schools in Oregon that are eager to educate a new generation of highly-skilled industry professionals:


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1Elite Dental Assisting Academy Portland

Becoming a dental assistant can be a very profitable career choice.

Did you know that dental assistants can earn $26 per hour and even more?

Also, the dental industry is basically recession-proof.

At Elite Dental Assisting Academy, they strive towards properly educating a new generation of dental assisting professionals.

What’s also great about this place is the fact that many students get job offers even before they graduate!

To be more precise, Elite Dental Assisting Academy has an 80% job hire rate for their graduates, which is simply amazing.

This school is also Certified and Licensed by the State of Washington Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board.

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

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

The school offers the following courses:

  • Dental assisting

Contact:


2The Tech Academy

The Tech Academy is focused on teaching computer science in a fun, dynamic, and innovative way.

It was originally founded in 2014 and it has been crushing the computer education industry ever since.

Namely, they are the recipients of multiple awards, including:

  • SwitchUp.Org’s Best Coding Boot Camp
  • Course Report’s Best Coding Boot Camp
  • Newsweek.Com’s Best Coding Boot Camps of 2018-2019 list

Coding is probably one of the highest-paying jobs, and this education is guaranteed to secure you a job spot.

Some of the companies that hired their graduates include Disney, Microchip, Exterro, MindTree, Cook Security Group, and many others.

The Tech Academy also offers multiple financing options, including:

  • Meritize Financing
  • Quotanda Loans

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

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

  • Software Developer Boot Camp – $11,700-$23,400
  • C# and .Net Framework Boot Camp – $6,750-$13,500
  • Python Boot Camp – $6,750-$13,500
  • Web Developer Boot Camp – $3,600-$7,200

The school offers the following courses:

  • Software Developer Boot Camp
  • C# and .Net Framework Boot Camp
  • Python Boot Camp
  • Web Developer Boot Camp

Contact:


3East West College of the Healing Arts

East West College of the Healing Arts has been successfully operating since 1972.

Here, prospective students will gain a deeper knowledge about the art, as well as the science behind massage therapy.

Besides being an educational institution, the East West College of the Healing Arts is a massage therapy clinic with years of continuous success.

Their facilities are huge, spreading over 35 thousand square feet,

The school is very inviting, yet still remains professional and student-oriented.

East West College is dedicated to educating healing professionals who will know proper professional conduct and have the desired skills to succeed.

They offer the following financial aid options:

  • The Federal Pell Grant Program
  • The Federal Direct Loan Program

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 give massages

Fees: The tuition fee for their course is $15,800. There is also a $100 registration fee.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Massage therapy

Contact:


4Oregon Institute of Technology

Oregon Institute of Technology is an amazing educational institution that offers 45 different specialized courses, making it one of the largest in the area.

This school offers well-rounded programs suited for everyone who’d like to obtain new skills and rapidly advance in their prospective careers.

Their curriculum focuses on getting the real-world experience, so that graduated would be instantly ready to become a part of the workforce.

Here’s a fun fact about Oregon Tech: 97% of their graduates are either successfully employed, or enrolled in a graduate school within six months of completion.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must fill out an application form
  • Send their SAT or ACT scores
  • Must submit proof of education – a high school or GED

Fees: There is a $50 registration fee. Contact the school’s admission department to get further information about tuition costs and additional fees.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Accounting
  • Allied Health
  • Applied Behavior Analysis
  • Biology-Health Sciences
  • Business Management
  • Civil Engineering
  • Clinical Sleep Health
  • Communication Studies
  • Computer Engineering Technology
  • Cybersecurity
  • Dental Hygiene
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • Echocardiography
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electronics Engineering Technology
  • Embedded Systems Engineering Technology
  • Emergency Medical Services Management
  • Engineering (Multiple Disciplines)
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Geomatics
  • Health Care Management
  • Health Informatics
  • Information Technology
  • Manufacturing Engineering Technology
  • Marketing
  • Marriage and Family Therapy
  • Mathematics, Applied
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Medical Imaging Technology
  • Medical Laboratory Science
  • Nuclear Medicine Technology
  • Nursing
  • Operations Management
  • Paramedic Program
  • Polysomnographic Technology
  • Population Health Management
  • Professional Writing
  • Psychology, Applied
  • Radiologic Science
  • Renewable Energy Engineering
  • Respiratory Care
  • Software Engineering Technology
  • Technology and Management
  • Vascular Technology

Contact:

  • Oregon Institute of Technology
  • Address: 3201 Campus Drive, Klamath Falls, OR 97601
  • Phone: 541-885-1000
  • Website: https://www.oit.edu/

5Oregon Culinary Institute

Culinary arts can be a very profitable career choice that has a lot of potential job opportunities.

Cooking professionals can work in multiple industries, including catering, cruise ships, restaurants, hotels, bars, etc.

This institute is locally-owned, and it is the only locally-owned culinary institute in Portland.

Oregon Culinary Institute has a strong focus on hands-on training.

They think that the best way to effective learning is to have all students actively participate in each and every one of the lessons.

The instructors also recognized the need for dynamic and fun learning, so their courses and lessons are everything but static, boring, and repetitive.

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

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

  • Culinary Arts – Hospitality Management AOS Degree – $32,850
  • Culinary Arts Diploma – $18,405
  • Baking & Pastry – Hospitality Management AOS Degree – $32,850
  • Baking & Pastry Diploma – $18,405

The tuition and registration fees are included in the tuition price.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Culinary Arts – Hospitality Management AOS Degree
  • Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Baking & Pastry – Hospitality Management AOS Degree
  • Baking & Pastry Diploma

Contact:


6Portland Drink Lab Academy

Just like the culinary arts, the art of mixology and bartending can yield a lot of amazing job opportunities.

Portland Drink Lab Academy offers a real-world bar setting instead of boring white classrooms.

That will make students adjust to working in an actual bare quicker and more effective.

Prospective students will get a chance to learn about shakers, muddlers, speed techniques, and alcohol presentation.

Upon graduation, they will have learned to make over a hundred different drinks and cocktails.

Portland Drink Lab Academy also offers an effective job placement assistance program, where they connect potential employers and employees.

The school itself provides plenty of professional bartending services for private parties, weddings, and other similar events, which they hire graduated to do.

Enrollment: There aren’t any special admission requirements. Everyone’s welcome to apply.

Fees: The tuition fee for their bartending course is $699.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Bartending

Contact:


7Epicodus

As the name suggests, Epicodus is an educational institution that offers computer science education, namely coding.

Their goal is to teach students all the necessary skills to succeed and obtain high-paying jobs.

Besides learning the actual computer science, students can expect to receive guidance on professional conduct, self-marketing, communication, and many other useful industry aspects.

Epicodus was founded in 2012, and the first classes started in 2013, with only eight students.

The company has grown immensely since, and nowadays it serves hundreds of students annually.

An attractive aspect of this company is the fact that all its instructors are former Epicodus graduates.

They know exactly what the students need, and have gained a lot of industry experience since graduation.

Enrollment: Contact the school via the e-mail form on their website to get further information about enrollment requirements.

Fees: The tuition fee for their programming course is $8,500.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Programming

Contact:

  • Epicodus
  • Address: 400 SW 6th Ave, Suite 800, Portland, OR 97204
  • Phone: The school advises students to contact them via the e-mail form on their website.
  • Website: https://www.epicodus.com/

8Film Connection

This Film School is one of the most modern schools in the area.

They have the best equipment which is used in many renowned film studios.

Students will have an opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade in an actual production studio.

That gives them a chance to really get a feel for their future jobs.

CFS offers a mentor styled education plan, making it more personal and hands-on.

Probably the best thing about this school is the fact that, once you graduate, you aren’t left fending for yourself.

They have a Stay Connected Program which helps students find employment upon the completion of their studies.

This option is available for a full year upon completion. Many of their stellar apprentices also get hired by their mentors.

Enrollment: Contact the school’s admission department to get further information about enrollment requirements.

Fees: The tuition fees for their film production and cinematography courses go as follows:

  • Film Production & Editing – $13,040
  • Cinematography – $12,750

The school offers the following courses:

  • Film Production & Editing
  • Cinematography
  • Screenwriting Workshop
  • Film Editing Workshop

Contact:


9NECA IBEW Electrical Training Center

NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center was founded to educate future electricians that will seek job opportunities in this financially rewarding industry.

They offer fast-paced, dynamic courses that aim to teach students all the necessary skills to succeed in this area of expertise.

If prospective students aren’t sure whether this center is a good fit for them, they can come to free information orientation that is held on the third Tuesday of every month, at 4 pm.

Stellar students will get a chance to earn a paid apprenticeship within the company, which will further help them cement their knowledge and teach them how to apply it in a real-world setting.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must provide proof of education – a high school diploma or GED
  • Must have at least 2.0 GPA
  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Must be legal US citizens

Fees: Contact the school’s admission department to get further information about tuition fees and additional costs. There is also a $30 non-refundable application fee.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Inside Electrical
  • Limited Energy-A Technician
  • Limited Residential Electrician
  • Journeyman

Contact:

  • NECA IBEW Electrical Training Center
  • Address: 16021 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR 97230
  • Phone: 503-262-9991
  • Website: http://www.nietc.org/

10National Personal Training Institute

With the rise of social media, the personal training industry has become larger and more popular than ever before.

At the National Personal Training Institute, the instructors’ goal is to teach students how to be aware of their own bodies and it needs, and then to transfer that knowledge onto prospective clients.

Without proper education, individuals won’t have the necessary foundation to gain and expand their knowledge levels.

This educational facility is also dedicated to changing other people’s lives, so they’ve taken a pledge to give back to the community.

Overall, this school offers a well-rounded program that will teach students everything they need to know to succeed in the fitness and wellness industry.

Enrollment: There aren’t any special requirements. Everyone’s welcome to apply.

Fees: The tuition fees for their courses go as follows:

  • Foundations: Movement and Biomechanics – $299
  • Health and Wellness Guru – $299
  • Kettlebell Training CEU – $99
  • Sling Training CEU – $99
  • The Mindful Trainer – $159
  • Fundamental Barbell for Group Training – $99

There is also a $25 registration fee which is non-refundable.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Master Personal Training Program – $5,900-$6,300
  • Foundations: Movement and Biomechanics – $299
  • Health and Wellness Guru – $299
  • Kettlebell Training CEU – $99
  • Sling Training CEU – $99
  • The Mindful Trainer – $159
  • Fundamental Barbell for Group Training – $99

Contact:

  • National Personal Training Institute
  • Address: 9610 SW Sunshine Court, Building F, Suite 300, Beaverton, OR 97005
  • Phone: 1-800-960-6294
  • Website: https://nationalpti.org/

Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants4,790$66,250$31.85$86,420$46,090
Medical Records Specialists2,170$54,030$25.98$79,160$37,850
Nursing Assistants12,450$42,960$20.65$51,190$34,840
Dental Assistants5,200$51,990$25.00$61,380$41,610
Medical Assistants10,940$46,220$22.22$57,060$37,370
Phlebotomists1,890$43,800$21.06$52,950$35,970
Electricians9,020$83,180$39.99$105,800$48,680
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters5,460$81,610$39.24$116,600$47,270
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics6,450$54,460$26.18$77,330$35,360
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers3,620$61,860$29.74$83,710$39,790
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Oregon, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

Traditional education is not for everyone, that’s for sure.

However, if regular colleges aren’t a good fit, that doesn’t mean that one can’t further their education journey.

Trade schools are an amazing alternative that will help students with obtaining useful specialized skills that will eventually help them find employment.

With so many available options everywhere, it would be a shame to let such opportunities go to waste.