About Trade Colleges Directory
Our Mission
Trade Colleges Directory is dedicated to empowering prospective students, their parents, and college advisors with comprehensive, objective information about trade and technical colleges across the United States. Our mission is to simplify the college selection process by providing data-driven insights that help you make informed decisions about your educational future.
What We Offer
Comprehensive College Profiles
Detailed information on trade colleges including admissions data, enrollment statistics, tuition costs, financial aid availability, graduation rates, and employment outcomes.
Career Perspectives
Insights into skilled trades careers, industry trends, salary expectations, and job market outlook based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Program Information
Explore programs offered by trade colleges, completion rates, and how they align with career pathways in various skilled trades.
Educational Resources
Expert articles and guides on choosing the right trade college, understanding financial aid, career planning, and navigating the application process.
Objective, Data-Driven Information
Our mission is to provide accurate, unbiased information to help you make informed decisions about your education. All data on our site comes from official government and authoritative sources:
IPEDS - Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
Managed by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), IPEDS provides comprehensive data on colleges and universities including admissions statistics, enrollment figures, tuition and fees, graduation rates, financial aid information, and institutional characteristics.
NCES CIP - Classification of Instructional Programs
The NCES Classification of Instructional Programs provides a taxonomic scheme that supports accurate tracking and reporting of educational programs. We use CIP-to-SOC crosswalks to connect educational programs with career outcomes and occupational data.
BLS - Bureau of Labor Statistics
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics provides authoritative employment and wage data, including occupational employment statistics, wage projections, career outlooks, employment growth trends, and industry analysis to help you understand the job market for various careers.
O*NET - Occupational Information Network
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET provides detailed occupational information including skills, knowledge areas, abilities (KSA), work activities, technology skills, education requirements, interests (RIASEC codes), work values, and work styles for over 1,000 occupations.
While we may feature advertising partnerships with educational institutions, our editorial integrity is non-negotiable. All data and information presented on our site remains completely independent of any advertising relationships. Schools cannot influence our data presentation, rankings, or educational content. Our goal is to empower you with accurate, unbiased information to find the right educational path.
Who We Serve
Prospective Students
Discover trade colleges that match your career goals, budget, and learning preferences. Access clear, comparable data to find your best educational fit.
Parents
Support your child's educational journey with reliable information about costs, outcomes, and career prospects in skilled trades.
College Advisors
Equip yourself with comprehensive data and insights to guide students toward technical education programs that align with their strengths and career aspirations.
Our Commitment
We are committed to:
- Maintaining the highest standards of data accuracy and integrity
- Presenting information in clear, accessible formats
- Regularly updating our data to reflect the latest available information
- Providing unbiased, fact-based insights without commercial influence
- Helping you navigate the complexities of college selection with confidence
Start Your Journey
Whether you're exploring skilled trades careers for the first time or comparing specific programs, Trade Colleges Directory provides the objective information you need to make informed decisions about your educational future.