Know what the job involves
Explore occupation tasks, preparation and related training. Find the questions that help you picture a working day.
Explore career paths →Your guide to hands-on careers
A practical skill.
A world of possibility.
Find training that fits your goals, understand the work and make your next move with a clearer picture.
Explore all eight trade families, across all 50 states and Washington, DC.
A clearer route forward
01
Find your directionDiscover the work behind the job title.
02
Compare your optionsSchools, qualifications and career routes.
03
Built on sources you can check ↗Make a practical planCosts, funding and questions worth asking.
4,031Institutions in the directory
343Subjects with reported training
386Related occupation profiles
50 states + DCNationwide exploration
School coverage comes from federal reporting and includes colleges, technical schools and universities with relevant certificate or associate-level records. Listings do not confirm current enrollment. See the scope and dates.
Start with what interests you
There’s more than one way to build a future.
01
Construction & building trades
HVAC · Electrical · Plumbing · Carpentry
1,165 institutions with reported training02Manufacturing & industrial technology
Welding · CNC · Mechatronics · Robotics
1,250 institutions with reported training03Vehicles & transportation
Automotive · Diesel · CDL · Aviation
1,095 institutions with reported training04Energy, utilities & environment
Linework · Solar · Wind · Water treatment
463 institutions with reported training05Healthcare & animal care
Nursing · Dental · Medical assisting · Veterinary
2,388 institutions with reported training06Beauty, wellness & personal services
Cosmetology · Barbering · Esthetics · Massage
1,822 institutions with reported training07Culinary arts & hospitality
Culinary arts · Baking · Hospitality · Food service
734 institutions with reported training08Technology, design & technical services
IT support · Cybersecurity · CAD · Digital media
1,657 institutions with reported trainingLook beyond the course title
Make the whole decision.
A good fit means understanding the job, the route into it and the commitment along the way.
Consider more than one pathway
Compare college programs with apprenticeships, employer-supported training and industry credentials.
Understand apprenticeships →Work out what training will take
Plan for tuition, tools, travel and living costs. Understand which funding questions to ask before applying.
Build a training budget →Closer to home
Explore training by state.
- Alabama57
- Alaska8
- Arizona83
- Arkansas61
- California420
- Colorado60
- Connecticut32
- Delaware14
- District of Columbia14
- Florida254
- Georgia100
- Hawaii15
- Idaho29
- Illinois146
- Indiana75
- Iowa44
- Kansas55
- Kentucky66
- Louisiana88
- Maine22
- Maryland49
- Massachusetts77
- Michigan119
- Minnesota58
- Mississippi38
- Missouri92
- Montana25
- Nebraska23
- Nevada30
- New Hampshire21
- New Jersey100
- New Mexico35
- New York211
- North Carolina105
- North Dakota23
- Ohio202
- Oklahoma82
- Oregon45
- Pennsylvania225
- Rhode Island12
- South Carolina54
- South Dakota19
- Tennessee105
- Texas290
- Utah54
- Vermont6
- Virginia97
- Washington69
- West Virginia56
- Wisconsin56
- Wyoming10
Useful before you enroll
Turn a shortlist into a plan.
Getting started
How to choose a trade school
Start with the work you want to do, then compare the training routes that can get you there. A familiar school name or a short course is not enough on its own.
Read the guide →Paying for training
What trade school really costs
A useful budget separates tuition, additional training expenses and the cost of living while you study. An annual institution average is a starting point, not a quote for your program.
Read the guide →Credentials
Certificate, certification or license?
These words describe different things. Understanding the distinction helps you avoid paying for a course that does not provide the credential you actually need.
Read the guide →Make the whole plan
Connect the next steps
Compare routesSchool, apprenticeship and employer options.Read actual course evidenceCurriculum, practical learning and published costs.Explore fundingOriginal grants, awards and workforce routes.Plan attendance supportChildcare, travel, food and accessibility.Prepare for learningOpen resources, terminology and practice.Prepare for workPortfolio, interviews, offers and progression.