Your Journey to the Right Trade School Starts With Better Data
We help you discover career paths, use rankings to shortlist schools, and compare your final options with transparent, federal data.
Explore Careers
Discover career paths with salary, job growth, skills, and training requirements so you know what to target.
Use Rankings to Shortlist
Start with rankings that match your priorities, then narrow by state, program focus, value, or flexibility.
Compare and Decide
Use college profile data on costs, retention, outcomes, and programs to pick the best-fit school.
Explore Hundreds of Career Paths
Get in-depth insights into your target career before you choose schools
Salary and Compensation
National and state-level median wages, salary ranges, and earning potential by location.
Job Market Outlook
Employment growth projections, annual openings, and demand trends.
Skills and Abilities
Top skills, knowledge areas, and abilities needed to excel in each career.
Education Requirements
Job zones, education levels, and training pathways tied to each career.
How to Use Rankings in Your School Search
Follow this workflow to move from broad options to a confident shortlist.
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1. Start with overall quality
Use our overall ranking as your baseline list of high-performing trade schools.
Open Best Trade Colleges → -
2. Match your student profile
If you plan to work while enrolled, prioritize schools built for flexibility.
Open Best for Working Students → -
3. Check affordability and outcomes
Compare schools where cost and completion outcomes are balanced for value.
Open Best Value Rankings → -
4. Focus by field and fit
Narrow to your program area and learning environment preferences.
Pick the Right Ranking for Your Goal
Best Trade Colleges
Best for an overall shortlist based on student outcomes and institutional strength.
Best Value
Best when affordability and return are your top criteria.
Best for Working Students
Best if you need part-time-friendly options and flexible pacing.
Best by Program
Best for finding schools that perform well in your chosen field.
Most Diverse Colleges
Best if campus diversity and inclusion are key to your decision.
Methodology
See exactly how rankings are calculated and which metrics are used.
Everything You Need in One Place
Rankings and Comparison
Use category-specific rankings and transparent data points to quickly compare schools that fit your goals.
Explore Rankings →Detailed College Profiles
Access admissions requirements, enrollment trends, tuition, aid signals, retention, and completion outcomes.
Browse Colleges →Program Database
Search vocational programs by field of study and location, then connect results to relevant ranking views.
Explore Programs →Search by Location
Find trade colleges and programs near you, then compare top options within your state or metro area.
Find Local Colleges →Official Government Data
Rankings and profiles are built from IPEDS and other trusted sources, with transparent methodology and no paid placement.
Review Methodology →Educational Resources
Read practical guides on choosing schools, financing training, and evaluating outcomes beyond marketing claims.
Read Our Blog →Ready to Build Your Shortlist?
Start with rankings, understand the methodology, and compare your top schools with confidence.