Trade-Specific Rankings

Best Colleges by Trade

Find top-ranked trade colleges for 11 specific trades — ranked on graduates, productivity, and student outcomes

Browse All Trades Our Methodology
11
Trades Ranked
Specific trade rankings
4.7k+
Total Rankings
Across all trades
219k+
Total Completions
Annual graduates
4
Ranking Criteria
Trade-specific metrics

Most Popular Trades

Explore rankings for the trades with the most participating schools

#1

Cosmetology/Cosmetologist

Ranked Schools: 1,208
Completions: 48,313
CIP Code: 12.0401
View Rankings
#2

Medical/Clinical Assistant

Ranked Schools: 758
Completions: 39,727
CIP Code: 51.0801
View Rankings
#3

Welding Technology

Ranked Schools: 701
Completions: 40,795
CIP Code: 48.0508
View Rankings

Jump to State Rankings by Trade

Select a trade, then click a state to open that trade's ranking page for the state.

Map colors show total ranked schools across all trade categories. Link destination follows your selected trade.

0 ranked schools
1-9 ranked schools
10-24 ranked schools
25-49 ranked schools
50+ ranked schools
Current state

All Trade Rankings

Browse rankings for each trade and find the best school for your career path

Cosmetology/Cosmetologist

1,208 ranked schools
48,313 completions
Tier 1: 227 Tier 2: 981

Medical/Clinical Assistant

758 ranked schools
39,727 completions
Tier 1: 477 Tier 2: 281

Welding Technology

701 ranked schools
40,795 completions
Tier 1: 511 Tier 2: 190

Automotive Mechanics Technology

490 ranked schools
19,229 completions
Tier 1: 368 Tier 2: 122

Heating, Air Conditioning & Ventilation (HVAC)

472 ranked schools
17,380 completions
Tier 1: 318 Tier 2: 154

Electrician

349 ranked schools
20,282 completions
Tier 1: 213 Tier 2: 136

Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator

183 ranked schools
21,507 completions
Tier 1: 119 Tier 2: 64

Diesel Mechanics Technology

170 ranked schools
5,003 completions
Tier 1: 134 Tier 2: 36

Carpentry

150 ranked schools
3,339 completions
Tier 1: 112 Tier 2: 38

Machine Tool Technology/Machinist

132 ranked schools
1,920 completions
Tier 1: 95 Tier 2: 37

Plumbing Technology

81 ranked schools
1,673 completions
Tier 1: 54 Tier 2: 27

How Trade Rankings Work

Trade-specific rankings that identify schools excelling in your exact career path

Trade Productivity

Measures how many graduates a school produces in the specific trade relative to total enrollment — identifying schools where this trade is a focus, not just an offering.

Graduate Volume

Counts total graduates in the specific trade program. Schools producing more graduates demonstrate established, high-demand programs with dedicated resources.

Institutional Quality

Combines completion rates and retention rates to ensure schools in these rankings provide quality education where students succeed and persist to graduation.

Learn more about our methodology

Ready to Find Your Trade School?

Explore detailed rankings for 11 trades and discover the best schools for your career goals

Browse All Trades