Students across the country choose trade school instead of college. This article explores the best trade schools in Denver.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, about 11.1 million students took career and technical education programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels.
About 28.2% of students studied trades in health sciences, while others majored in business management and administration, public safety, corrections, and security, or information technology.
Graduates from the best trade schools in Denver often have less debt (if any at all) than college graduates and can gain hands-on training in schools to enter the workforce quickly.
They can find jobs in Denver’s fast-growing industries. The most significant increases in employment in Denver from 2021 to 22 were in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and transportation.
Denver is one of Colorado’s economic hotspots and has excellent trade schools and colleges.
Trade schools allow students to start a new job faster than traditional colleges.
Every year, the job market requires more experts, and you can benefit from exceptional programs in this city.
Keep reading this article to learn more about the best trade schools in Colorado, trade school costs, and trades that offer lucrative careers.
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Are there Trade Schools in Denver?
Colorado has several private, non-profit, and public community colleges and vocational schools that provide training in many fields. Specific program offerings vary by school.
- Aveda Institute
- Bartending School of Denver
- Denver Integrative Massage School
- Leonardi HVAC Training School
- American Real Estate College
- Rocky Mountain Electrical Training Institute
- Colorado School of Trades
- Lincoln Tech
- Emily Griffith College
- Herbalism Roots
- International Salon and Spa Academy
- Pima Medical Institute-Denver
- United Beauty College
- The Salon Professional Academy
- Technical College of Rockies
How Much Does Trade School Cost In Denver?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), public colleges in Denver charge an average of $22,180 for in-state students, 5.47% more than the national average.
Meanwhile, students attending two-year public schools in Denver pay only $3,355 for tuition and fees, an 8.21% decrease from the previous year.
Two-year colleges and trade schools in Denver offer a high return on investment.
Not every two-year college offers cheaper tuition than four-year institutions.
For example, the Denver School of Trades charges students $29,850, the highest education in the state. However, compared to universities, trade schools usually cost less.
The tuition fee for the program depends on the chosen program, campus, and whether you qualify for financial aid and help.
What are the Requirements for Trade Schools in Denver?
The enrollment criteria are very straightforward you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or an equivalent, be a Colorado resident, and submit the application form.
What are the Best Trade Schools in Denver | 2024?
Certificates, diplomas, and degrees take between 1-2 years. Students learn through classroom time and hands-on training in simulated labs or apprenticeships.
Each program on the list will meet our criteria, being:
Rankings method:
- Must offer less than one-year certifications
- Accredited
- Less than 18:1 faculty-to-student ratio
- Less than $35,000 in tuition costs
- Over 50% graduation rate
See Also: Best Trade Schools In Albuquerque | Cost, Requirements, How To Apply
1. Aveda Institute
Aveda Institute is a professional and modern Aveda chain of beauty and cosmetology schools throughout the country and provides students with unique opportunities.
The programs emphasize traditional beauty techniques, innovative technology, and everything needed to launch a successful and long-lasting career.
The local campus is fantastic, with all the materials, resources, textbooks, kits, practice areas, and everything else required to begin a great career.
2. Bartending School of Denver
Aveda Institute is a professional and modern Aveda chain of beauty and cosmetology schools across the country and offers students unique opportunities.
The programs emphasize traditional beauty techniques, innovative technology, and everything needed to start a successful and long-lasting career.
The local campus is fantastic, with all the materials, resources, textbooks, kits, practice areas, and everything else needed to start an amazing career.
3. Denver Integrative Massage School
Denver Integrative Massage School is one of the most respected and well-known massage schools in the Denver area and provides low-cost education.
They hire trainers and teachers to transform you into a respected and sought-after massage therapist, and they will teach you various massage and body therapy techniques.
The classes focus on all aspects required to succeed in this field, and you learn all the anatomy, physiology, and recovery therapy skills to gain magical hands.
The massage course tuition fee is USD 9900, but they can pay it in installments throughout the course.
In addition, students must pay for textbooks, scrubs, and other materials.
4. Leonardi HVAC Training School
Fighting for each student’s future, Leonardi HVAC Training School, one of the best trade schools in Denver, is the ideal place to advance your career and gain the skills and knowledge needed to begin a new one.
The educational board carefully chooses the courses and practice sessions to ensure you have the best skills and educational experience possible.
The trainers are all subject experts.
The local campus and school are very modern and welcoming, and they have everything you need to give you an incredible skill set and the confidence to change your future quickly.
The tuition fee varies depending on the program of your choice, accommodation, scholarships, and whether you fall into a particular category, such as military veterans, which you can learn more about here.
Courses offered
- HVAC
- Commercial refrigeration
- Air conditioning and many more
5. American Real Estate College
The American Real Estate College is the ideal place to begin a new real estate and sales career.
It is modern, dedicated, and has excellent educators.
The trainers and educators are respected professionals in this field, ready to share all the essential tips, tricks, and secrets from this dynamic and well-paying industry.
The resources and practice areas are incredibly modern, and you will also simulate sales and other similar situations that may arise in your future job.
The course determines the tuition fee you choose, which ranges between 599 USD and 1299 USD, with different levels of training and knowledge included.
6. Rocky Mountain Electrical Training Institute
Rocky Mountain Electrical Training Institute is state-approved to help you get the career you deserve.
It is modern, dynamic, and has some of the best trainers and educators in the electrical field.
The tremendous educational board comprises some of the most experienced electrical technicians and provides training and education.
The materials, resources, and textbooks are constantly updated to ensure you have the best skills and tools to work in this field or start your own business.
The tuition fee varies depending on your financial situation and the schedule of your choice.
The admissions office can provide you with more information on prices and tuition.
See Also: Best Trade Schools in West Virginia | Cost, Requirements, How to Apply
7. Colorado School of Trades
The Colorado School of Trades, one of the best trade schools in Denver, ranked among the top 30 Forbes trade schools in the United States, is an excellent place to take your practical skills and passion to the next level.
The school provides some of the best programs and classes in the country, focusing on the real-world needs and challenges you will face in your new and exciting job.
The trainers, educators, and trainers are excellent, and they will walk you through all the steps and training so that you can handle any project, job, or opportunity.
The basic program tuition fee is approximately $28000 for 14 months of training. There are many financial help programs available, including those for military veterans.
Courses offered
- Machine shop program
- Gunsmith program
- Mechanical technicians and much more
8. Lincoln Tech
Lincoln Tech is one of the most respected educational institutions in the United States, and it offers programs and classes to meet the needs of everyone.
They founded it on the belief that every student should be able to find a new career.
The campus area is incredible, providing everything a student could want in terms of comfort, fun, practice area, socialization, and everything else required to provide an exceptional stay.
The programs provide real-life simulation and practice, allowing you to gain all the skills and knowledge to begin a career in the trade industry.
The tuition fee varies depending on the program of your choice, but the average tuition fee per year is $20,000, not including any form of financial help or scholarship.
Courses offered
- Automotive technology
- Diesel technology
- HVAC
- Welding and many more
9. Emily Griffith College
Emily Griffith College began its journey in 1916 and has since shaped the lives of countless students.
The educational board and teachers at the college are very modern and forward-thinking.
The materials are excellent, and we are constantly updating the textbooks and other materials to provide you with incredible job opportunities.
The campus is one of the most dynamic in the state, with clubs, sports teams, leisure areas, and all the other amenities needed to begin a fantastic career.
The tuition fee varies significantly depending on whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student.
The annual tuition fee is around $10,000, frequently including all necessary materials and resources.
Courses offered
- Barbering
- Cosmetology
- Culinary arts
- Nurse aides and many more
10. Herbalism Roots
Herbalism Roots is a one-of-a-kind school in the Denver area that offers the one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn all the secrets and tricks of this profession in just 500 hours.
The program includes all the theoretical knowledge required to identify, select, and use plants.
The program also incorporates medical knowledge and processing methods for using the entire plant for health.
The educators are all herbalism experts who will take you on an incredible journey of learning and discovery in just a few weeks and teach you everything you need to know about this field.
The tuition fee is $5,500, which includes all required textbooks and supplies, and the school allows you to pay in installments.
11. International Salon and Spa Academy
- Program Type: Private
- Cost: $17,737
- Location: Denver, Colorado
Admission/application requirements: No application fee required; no standardized tests or GPA requirements
Graduation requirements: Varies by program
Accreditation: Nationally Accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences
About the Program:
The International Salon and Spa Academy, operating since 1971, offers courses part-time or full-time with evening or daytime options.
Barbering, cosmetology, hairstyling, esthetics, and nail technology programs take 5-22.5 months to complete.
12. Pima Medical Institute-Denver
- Program Type: Private for-profit
- Cost: $17,882
- Location: Denver, Colorado
Admission/application requirements: high school diploma or GED; proof of legal age; complete entrance exam; optional ACT scores
Graduation requirements: Complete program and clinical internships
Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
About the Program:
Established in 1972, Pima Medical Institute-Denver, one of the best trade schools in Denver, features fully online associate, bachelor’s, and master’s healthcare degrees and on-campus certificates.
Students can earn an associate degree in as few as 15 months.
13. United Beauty College
- Program Type: Private
- Cost: $8,666
- Location: Denver, Colorado
Admission/application requirements: high school diploma or GED; proof of identification
Graduation requirements: Complete 600-1,240 hours of theory and lab work
Accreditation: National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, Inc.
About the Program:
United Beauty College features cosmetologist, hair stylist, and nail technician programs that take up to 42 weeks.
14. The Salon Professional Academy
- Program Type: Private for-profit
- Cost: $4,081
- Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Admission/application requirements: high school diploma or GED; ACT or SAT scores.
Graduation requirements: Complete about 1,500 hours of classroom and hands-on training
Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
About the Program:
Salon Professional Academy Colorado Springs offers cosmetology, barbering, esthetics, nail technology, and microdermabrasion programs.
15. Technical College of Rockies
- Program Type: Public
- Cost: $19,953
- Location: Delta, Colorado
Admission/application requirements: Submit driver’s license or government ID; take an assessment or entrance exam; high school transcripts or GED results
Graduation requirements: Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA; complete a minimum of 75% of the coursework
Accreditation: Council on Occupational Education
About the Program:
The Technical College of the Rockies — funded by local, state, and federal government — features advanced emergency medical technicians, automotive service technicians, barbering, cosmetology, massage therapy, and nail technician programs.
How Much do Traders Make in Denver?
Salary for Denver residents averages $59,000, which is 13 percent higher than the U.S. average.
The robust economy in the state of Colorado makes it an appealing choice for students planning to settle in the state after graduation.
As of May 2017, the state boasts an unemployment rate of just 2.3 percent.
Job creation outpaces the national average, which is 1.2 percent.
The state holds the #2 spot for the fastest population expansion of any U.S. state. The numbers are on your side!
How do I become a Trader in Denver?
Where can you find apprenticeships in Denver? Check the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment’s Apprenticeship Resource Directory.
The Affordable Tree Service trains future arborists, while the Affordable Fire Protection Inc. prepares students to become pipefitters and steamfitters.
Trade school programs may offer apprenticeships, or students can directly apply through their school or professional organization.
Denver does not have vocational high schools, but state programs like the P-Tech program train secondary students for tech careers.
The Colorado Community College System offers middle and high school students employment and technical training.
Best-Paying Jobs In Denver with Salary
- Medical Assistant Annual mean wage: $40,270
- Surgical Technologists Annual mean pay: $59,330
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver Annual mean salary: $53,520
- Bus Driver Annual mean income: $47,570
Frequently Asked Questions
Accessibility ranks among the many merits of going to trade schools in Denver, Colorado. Unlike four-year universities and colleges, trade schools offer a less restrictive application process, often called “open admissions,” which allows students right out of high school or working adults to begin classes quicker.
Some of the highest-paid occupations in Denver, Colorado include medical, technology, and retail and sales management positions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The industries with the most significant job growth gains in March 2022 include leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and manufacturing.
To answer this, consider your goals and the minimum education requirement.
Conclusion
Having all these schools and much more available, to choose the best trade school for your dreams.
Choose the program you desire to embrace a new and promising future!
References
- Collegechoices.net – Most affordable trade schools in Colorado
- Vocationaltraininghq.com – Trade and Tech schools in Colorado
- Bestcollege.com – Best trade schools in Colorado
See also- Georgia State University GSU Scholarships for International Students.
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