Trade School Rankings

Highest TSW Scores

The best trade school programs in America, ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score — combining earnings, job market demand, and tuition ROI.

#1: Truck Driving & CDL at Johnson County Community College (Score 95)

48 programs · $72,701/yr avg

Highest ROI Trades

Trade programs that pay back the most relative to what you spend on tuition.

#1: Nursing at Cabrillo College (1067.5x ROI)

100 programs · $57,414/yr avg

Highest-Earning Trades

Trade programs where graduates earn the most in Year 1 after graduation.

#1: Dentistry at University of Pennsylvania ($220,594/yr)

95 programs · $88,800/yr avg

Worst ROI Trades

Trade programs that pay back the least relative to tuition cost. Know before you enroll.

#1: Parks & Recreation Management at Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale (6.0x ROI)

100 programs · $27,882/yr avg

Cheap + High-Earning

Trade programs under $20K tuition where graduates still earn $35K+ in Year 1. Maximum value.

#1: Electrical Installation at Community College of Allegheny County ($151,803/yr)

81 programs · $86,157/yr avg

Best Skilled Trades

Top skilled trades programs — construction, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, welding — ranked by overall value.

#1: Truck Driving & CDL at Johnson County Community College (Score 95)

500 programs · $48,006/yr avg

Best Healthcare Programs

Top healthcare trade programs — nursing, dental hygiene, medical assisting — ranked by earnings, job outlook, and ROI.

#1: Health Administration at Durham Technical Community College (Score 92)

500 programs · $72,757/yr avg

Best Tech Programs

Top technology trade programs — IT, networking, cybersecurity, engineering tech — ranked by overall value.

#1: Information Sciences at Wake Technical Community College (Score 87)

500 programs · $49,182/yr avg

Best Criminal Justice

Top criminal justice and public safety trade programs ranked by earnings, job outlook, and return on investment.

#1: Criminal Justice at San Diego Miramar College (Score 93)

500 programs · $41,048/yr avg

High Earnings, Low Debt

Trade programs where graduates earn well but leave with under $15K in debt.

#1: Allied Health Professions at Foothill College ($107,048/yr)

82 programs · $73,738/yr avg

Fastest Growing Trades

Trade programs tied to the fastest-growing occupations, based on BLS 2024–2034 projections.

#1: Nursing at Gadsden State Community College (Score 83)

5 programs · $63,224/yr avg

Largest Job Markets

Trade programs leading to careers with the most annual job openings nationwide.

#1: Business Administration at GateWay Community College (Score 88)

10 programs · $32,749/yr avg