Trade Schools in Athens, GA

3 schools · 21 programs · Avg earnings $45,570/yr

Athens, GA, offers a unique trade school environment shaped by its status as a major university town and regional hub. The presence of the University of Georgia drives demand for a variety of support services, from administrative to legal, reflected in strong earnings for programs like Non-Professional General Legal Studies. The local economy also benefits from a growing healthcare sector and a dynamic media landscape.

Beyond traditional university-adjacent roles, the city's expanding healthcare facilities create consistent demand for skilled Registered Nurses. Additionally, Athens' vibrant arts and entertainment scene, coupled with its role as a regional media market, provides opportunities in fields such as Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.

Schools
3
Programs
21
Avg Grad Earnings
$45,570/yr
Avg Score
69/100

Athens Trade Schools Map

3 trade schools in Athens, GA.

Athens Technical College University of Georgia Georgia Institute of Cosmetology

All Trade Schools in Athens

3 trade schools ranked by number of programs offered.

School Programs Avg Earnings Avg Score
Athens Technical College 10 $41,630/yr 70
University of Georgia 8 $55,072/yr 70
Georgia Institute of Cosmetology 1 $16,832/yr 42

Top Programs in Athens

Highest-earning trade programs by first-year graduate earnings in Athens.

Program School Earnings Score
Business Administration University of Georgia $77,610/yr 92
Nursing Athens Technical College $72,823/yr 88
Legal Studies University of Georgia $68,359/yr 70
Entrepreneurship University of Georgia $64,900/yr 81
Management Sciences University of Georgia $62,951/yr 81
Allied Health Professions Athens Technical College $57,691/yr 77
Sustainability Studies University of Georgia $49,789/yr 57
Heavy Equipment Technology Athens Technical College $47,206/yr 71
Allied Health Professions Athens Technical College $46,293/yr 67
Medical Assisting Athens Technical College $46,123/yr 75

Programs by Category

Skilled Trades (3) Healthcare (6) Engineering & Technology (1) Personal Services (2) Business & Office (4) Arts & Design (1) Other Programs (4)

Skilled Trades (3 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Ground Transportation Athens Technical College 85 $40,571/yr
Heavy Equipment Technology Athens Technical College 71 $47,206/yr
HVAC Technology Athens Technical College 69 $45,356/yr

Healthcare (6 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Nursing Athens Technical College 88 $72,823/yr
Practical Nursing Athens Technical College 82 $45,119/yr
Allied Health Professions Athens Technical College 77 $57,691/yr
Medical Assisting Athens Technical College 75 $46,123/yr
Allied Health Professions Athens Technical College 67 $46,293/yr
Medical Assisting Athens Technical College 67 $29,374/yr

Engineering & Technology (1 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Data Processing Athens Technical College 40 $24,012/yr

Personal Services (2 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Cosmetology Athens Technical College 53 $16,178/yr
Cosmetology Georgia Institute of Cosmetology 42 $16,832/yr

Business & Office (4 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Business Administration University of Georgia 92 $77,610/yr
Entrepreneurship University of Georgia 81 $64,900/yr
Management Sciences University of Georgia 81 $62,951/yr
Business Administration Athens Technical College 67 $28,822/yr

Arts & Design (1 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Arts & Media Management University of Georgia 56 $33,927/yr

Other Programs (4 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Legal Studies University of Georgia 70 $68,359/yr
Public Relations & Advertising University of Georgia 63 $41,183/yr
Broadcasting & Digital Media University of Georgia 62 $41,858/yr
Sustainability Studies University of Georgia 57 $49,789/yr

Nearby Cities with Trade Schools

More Trade Schools in Georgia

Frequently Asked Questions

How many trade schools are in Athens?
There are 3 accredited trade and vocational schools in Athens, GA, offering a total of 21 certificate and associate degree programs.
What are the best trade programs in Athens?
The highest-earning programs in Athens include Business Administration, Nursing, Legal Studies, with graduates earning $77,610 or more in their first year after graduation.
Are trade schools in Athens worth it?
Trade school programs in Athens average $45,570 in first-year graduate earnings, with many programs offering positive ROI within the first year. Most trade careers offer strong job security due to hands-on work requirements.

About This Data

This page analyzes 21 trade and vocational programs at 3 schools in Athens, GA using earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024–2034).

School locations shown on the map are based on official institutional addresses. Graduate earnings represent median first-year earnings for certificate and associate degree completers.

Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034. Last updated 2026.