Trade Schools in Durham, NC

4 schools · 14 programs · Avg earnings $43,697/yr

Durham's robust healthcare and life sciences sectors, anchored by Duke University Health System and numerous biotech firms, create a strong demand for skilled medical professionals. Trade schools here offer specialized training directly supporting these industries, with programs in Registered Nursing and Health and Medical Administrative Services providing pathways into a well-established local job market.

Beyond healthcare, Durham’s growing tech scene, particularly in areas like software development and IT services, also offers opportunities for graduates. Training in Computer and Information Sciences, for example, aligns with the needs of both established companies and emerging startups in the Research Triangle Park ecosystem.

Schools
4
Programs
14
Avg Grad Earnings
$43,697/yr
Avg Score
72/100

Durham Trade Schools Map

4 trade schools in Durham, NC.

Durham Technical Community College Elevate Salon Institute Bull City Durham Beauty and Barber College Watts College of Nursing

All Trade Schools in Durham

4 trade schools ranked by number of programs offered.

School Programs Avg Earnings Avg Score
Durham Technical Community College 9 $46,292/yr 78
Elevate Salon Institute 1 $21,340/yr 44
Bull City Durham Beauty and Barber College 1 $11,572/yr 41
Watts College of Nursing 1 $69,634/yr 73

Top Programs in Durham

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

Program School Earnings Score
Health Administration Durham Technical Community College $70,267/yr 92
Nursing Watts College of Nursing $69,634/yr 73
Nursing Durham Technical Community College $66,430/yr 89
Ophthalmic & Optometric Services Durham Technical Community College $61,860/yr 72
Criminal Justice Durham Technical Community College $49,893/yr 88
Computer Science Durham Technical Community College $46,966/yr 85
Practical Nursing Durham Technical Community College $46,533/yr 84
Computer Science Durham Technical Community College $45,847/yr 82
Health Administration Durham Technical Community College $38,041/yr 79
Teacher Education Durham Technical Community College $33,260/yr 78

Programs by Category

Healthcare (6) Engineering & Technology (2) Criminal Justice & Public Safety (1) Personal Services (2) Education (1) Other Programs (2)

Healthcare (6 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Health Administration Durham Technical Community College 92 $70,267/yr
Nursing Durham Technical Community College 89 $66,430/yr
Practical Nursing Durham Technical Community College 84 $46,533/yr
Health Administration Durham Technical Community College 79 $38,041/yr
Nursing Watts College of Nursing 73 $69,634/yr
Ophthalmic & Optometric Services Durham Technical Community College 72 $61,860/yr

Engineering & Technology (2 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Computer Science Durham Technical Community College 85 $46,966/yr
Computer Science Durham Technical Community College 82 $45,847/yr

Criminal Justice & Public Safety (1 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Criminal Justice Durham Technical Community College 88 $49,893/yr

Personal Services (2 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Cosmetology Elevate Salon Institute 44 $21,340/yr
Cosmetology Bull City Durham Beauty and Barber College 41 $11,572/yr

Education (1 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Teacher Education Durham Technical Community College 78 $33,260/yr

Other Programs (2 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Linguistics Durham Technical Community College 56 $26,246/yr
Liberal Arts & Humanities Durham Technical Community College 51 $23,876/yr

Nearby Cities with Trade Schools

More Trade Schools in North Carolina

Frequently Asked Questions

How many trade schools are in Durham?
There are 4 accredited trade and vocational schools in Durham, NC, offering a total of 14 certificate and associate degree programs.
What are the best trade programs in Durham?
The highest-earning programs in Durham include Health Administration, Nursing, Nursing, with graduates earning $70,267 or more in their first year after graduation.
Are trade schools in Durham worth it?
Trade school programs in Durham average $43,697 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 14 trade and vocational programs at 4 schools in Durham, NC 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.