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Best Online Trade Schools: 6 Top Options to Learn a Trade

The best online trade schools produce trade workers who excel in their fields

Are you looking for the best online trade schools to learn a skill from home? If so, we’ve got answers for you. In this guide, we’ll show you six of the best online schools for trades.

Choosing the right online trade school is key to getting the best-paying vocational jobs after you graduate.  We’ll help you figure out which online trade school is the best fit for you. Let’s get started!

Wei Luo
Alicia Carrasco
January 20, 2024

Can You Attend Trade School Online?

Are there online trade schools? The short answer is, yes, some schools will allow you to attend trade schools completely online. Before enrolling in trade school programs online, you should know the difference between trade schools, technical schools, and vocational schools. They may not be as different as you think.

Trade schools are for those who enjoy physically demanding manual jobs such as automotive repair, carpentry, or plumbing. On the other hand, technical schools are for those who are looking forward to less physically demanding technical jobs. For example, those who like computer programming, engineering technology, or medical lab technology, should consider technical school. So, what about vocational schools? The term “vocational schools” is an umbrella term that includes both trade and technical schools.

However, it should also be noted that many people use the terms trade, technical, and vocational schools interchangeably. So, who’s the best fit for enrolling in online trade schools? Those who enjoy intensive, hands-on work would be the best match to enroll in online trade schools, as their future jobs will demand it. It’s also a good idea to choose trade schools that offer job placement, as this can make finding a job easier later on.

Types of Online Degrees from Trade Schools

Have you heard about certificates and diplomas but are unsure how they differ? Let’s break it down. To begin with, both are documents showing you’ve finished specific courses in a certain area. However, the key differences lie in the time it takes to get them, the depth of knowledge they offer, and their cost.

Your choice depends on your needs.  Either way, GetEducated has compiled a list of top online trade schools offering both certificate and diploma programs, giving you plenty of options to choose from.

Online Certificates

Certificates are usually shorter, taking just a few months, and are less costly. They tend to provide a more basic understanding of a subject. If you’re tight on time or budget, a certificate might be right for you.

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Online Diplomas

Diplomas, on the other hand, require more time, offer deeper knowledge, and cost more. If you’re looking for comprehensive knowledge and can invest more time, a diploma could be the way to go.

The 6 Best Online Trade Schools

  1. Penn Foster College

    Accreditation: DEAC
    Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $299-$879

    Penn Foster is one of a few cheap online trade schools that offers a wide range of certificates and diplomas in many fields. For instance,  Technical & Mechanical Services, Design & Craftsmanship, and Event & Lifestyle Services are all offered. In general, certificates will take around 2 months to complete. Their diplomas, on the other hand, take 3 to 9 months to complete. Some of their programs will prepare you to get a certification after the completion.

    For example, if you enroll in their HVAC Technician Career Diploma Program, it will help prepare you for EPA Certifications. After earning the HVAC Technician Career Diploma, you’ll have access to 394,100 jobs in this field, with an average annual earning of $51,390. Penn Foster also carries a wide range of certificates and diplomas to choose from. So, you’ll be prepared for a job in almost any trade-related field after graduation. Due to its large variety of offerings, Penn Foster is one of the best accredited online vocational schools. Accreditation by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), ensures the high quality of their programs. Here are some programs they offer:

    Find Out More:
    ABC Certified Wedding Planner Diploma
    Appliance Repair Diploma
    Auto Repair Technician Diploma
    Caterer Diploma
    Construction Trades Diploma
    Diesel Mechanics / Heavy Truck Maintenance Diploma
    Electronics Technician Diploma
    Event Planning Career Diploma
    Residential Electrician Diploma
    Small Engine Repair Diploma
    Plumber Diploma
    Gunsmith Diploma
    Interior Decorator Diploma
    Floral Design Diploma
    Drafting with AutoCAD® Diploma
    HVACR Technician Diploma

     

  2. University of Florida

    Accreditation: SACSCOC
    Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $3,180 – $5,088

    The University of Florida is another of the best online vocational schools on our list, and it offers many trades that you can learn online related to the field of pest control. Their pest control certificates range from 15 credits to 24 credits and teach you various skills related to handling pests that are outside of the home. For example, pests can include various insects that roam outside in landscape turfs, shrubs, and trees.

    The University of Florida offers certificates ideal for those interested in managing outdoor pests. Their programs are of high quality, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Below are some of the online trade certificate programs available at this school:

    Find Out More:
    Certificate in Landscape Pest Management
    Certificate in Pest Control Technology
    Certificate in Urban Pest Management

     

  3. Minnesota State College Southeast

    Accreditation: SACSCOC
    Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $1,868 – $6,852

    Minnesota State College Southeast, another top online technical school on our list, offers various certificates and diplomas related to the field of blueprint creation for constructs such as homes, machinery, and civil infrastructures. These certificates and diplomas usually take around 2 years or less to complete, and they teach you how to create blueprints using Computer-Aided Design (CAD).

    After completing their programs, you will be able to get a job as a Mechanical Designer, Plant Designer, Mechanical Drafter, or CAD Technician. Also, since Minnesota State College Southeast is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), you can rest assured that their programs are fully recognized, by a qualified board. Here are a few programs this school offers:

    Find Out More:
    Certificate in Basic Drafting Technologies
    Certificate in CAD Drafting Technologies
    Diploma in CAD Drafting Technologies

     

  4. Kentucky Community and Technical College System

    Accreditation: SACSCOC
    Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $1,773 – $9,696

    The Kentucky Community and Technical College System was first founded in 1997, by the Kentucky Postsecondary Education Improvement Act, offers certificates and diplomas in the area of creating blueprints on computers. These programs, ranging from 9 to 29 credits, teach students how to create detailed blueprints of various infrastructures using computer software.

    The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is one of the best technical schools online, and its drafting certificates and diplomas are perfect for anyone who would like to create structural designs for architects or engineers using CAD software. You can pursue various careers such as a CAD Technician, Architectural Drafter, or Mechanical Drafter after completing these programs through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. You can trust the quality of the programs offered by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, since it is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Here are some online trade school programs this school offers:

    Find Out More:
    Certificate in Computer Assisted Drafter
    Certificate in Detailer
    Certificate in Drafter Assistant
    Diploma in Computer Aided Drafting & Design

     

  5. Northland Community and Technical College

    Accreditation: HLC
    Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $3,455 – $6,478

    Founded in 1949, Northland Community and Technical College is another top online technical school on our list. It offers certificates in the area of Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies, which focus on teaching you how to create new products in factories. The certificates at Northland Community and Technical College can be as short as 16.5 credits or as long as 30 credits. In addition, about 70% of students at the college get help paying for their classes. There’s a good chance you can get some help, as well.

    Northland Community and Technical College’s certificates are for those who love learning how to create new things in factories. After the completion of their chosen certificates, they will be able to get jobs such as an Automation Technician, Manufacturing Technician, and Welder. Also, since Northland Community and Technical College, another one of the best accredited online trade schools, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, you can be sure to get a quality education. Here are a few programs this school offers:

    Find Out More:
    Certificate in Production Technologies
    Certificate in Welding Technology
    Diploma in Medical Office Specialist
    Certificate in Patient Access Specialist
    Certificate in Imagery Analysis
    Certificate in Customer Service
    Certificate in Digital Marketing
    Certificate in Supervisory Leadership
    Certificate in Early Childhood & Paraprofessional

Which Careers in the Trades are Best?

Are you curious about the career options available after completing programs at the best online vocational schools? Enrolling in an online trade school opens doors to a wide array of trade careers. Beyond becoming automotive service technicians, mechanics, or heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians, you can explore fields like AutoCAD drafting, pest control, plumbing, electrician work, wedding planning, catering, and floral design.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2022, automotive service technicians and mechanics earn an average of $46,970 per year, while heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians earn $58,350 annually. The job market is robust, with 733,200 positions for automotive service technicians and mechanics and 223,000 for heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians.

Other career paths offer different prospects. For instance, AutoCAD drafters ($60,400 per year) are in demand in the construction and manufacturing sectors. Pest control specialists earn about $42,210 per year, and are essential in urban and rural settings. Skilled trades like plumbing and electrician work are always needed. Plumbers earn an average of $60,900 per year, while electricians earn $60,240 per year.

Creative fields like wedding planning, catering, and interior design offer opportunities to combine artistic flair with practical skills. Each career offers unique training requirements, salary potentials, and job growth projections. Wedding and event planners can expect to earn an average of $52,560 per year, with an 8% growth outlook. Meanwhile, caterers or food service managers can expect a salary of $61,310 per year. Finally, interior decorators earn an average of $61,590 per year.

Get Started Today!

In summary, if you’re interested in pursuing careers in the trade field, then you should select from the accredited online trade schools we’ve listed above and start working toward your dream job. Whether you choose a trade career involving physical work,  a technical career, or a creative path, online vocational schools have just the right program for you!

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How we researched and created this article:

January 20, 2024
January 20, 2024

Wei Luo

Alicia Carrasco

GetEducated Editorial Team