Best Online Trade Schools

Northcentral Technical College  offers more than 180 associate degrees, technical diplomas and certificates. The school boasts a high employment rate, with 95% of job-seeking graduates finding employment within a year of graduation.

Online students at Northcentral Technical College can choose among 17 technical diplomas and 31 certificates. Technical diploma offerings include human resource management, accounting assistant, early childhood teacher, office assistant and various IT and marketing options. Certificates include critical care paramedic, Microsoft Office, retail operations and small business bookkeeping.

• Affordability. NTC awards $581,000 in scholarships each year.
• Career fields. As a technical college, NTC is career-focused, offering pathways for students who plan to work in agriculture, business, human services and law, among other fields.
• Flexibility. If you enroll in one of NTC’s online programs, you can customize your start date, complete courses at your own pace and add classes as you see fit.

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College  provides online programs and courses through eCampus, the school’s online learning platform. Distance education at Wiregrass can follow any of three instruction methods: blended, synchronous or asynchronous. Blended courses use a hybrid of in-person and online learning. Synchronous courses follow a specific schedule, including live lectures. Asynchronous courses allow learners to study at their own pace.

Offerings include technical certificates of credit (TCCs), which focus on vocations like accounting clerk, child development specialist, fire officer, health information specialist and social media specialist, among others. Wiregrass students can also pursue diplomas, which prepare learners for entry-level roles in specific vocational areas.

• Consistency. Wiregrass’ online programs mirror the school’s traditional programs, meaning they share curricula.
• Diploma options. Wiregrass offers diplomas in accounting, business management, business technology, criminal justice technology and fire science technology.
• Accreditation. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits Wiregrass.

Barton County Community College’s distance learning platform is called Barton Online, and it offers online associate degrees and certificates in nearly 30 subjects. Vocational courses prepare students to become certified dietary managers, certified medical lab technicians, technical support specialists and pharmacy technicians, among other titles.

Barton Online courses are scheduled in weekly blocks, and students choose when they want to attend class. Instructors set weekly due dates for coursework. Learners can complete their chosen courses in any of 15 sessions.

• No minimum class sizes. Barton Online will never cancel a course due to low enrollment.
• Session lengths. Sessions run for six, eight, 12 or 16 weeks.
• Intersessions. Four-week intersessions are available during the spring and fall terms. These courses require intensive study. Learners can only enroll in two intersessions at a time.

Minnesota West Community and Technical College  offers technical and career programs through its online learning platform. These programs train learners for semi-professional and technical jobs. Minnesota West’s career programs culminate in either an associate of applied science (AAS), a diploma or a certificate. Credits from certain career courses may transfer to four-year bachelor’s programs for students who choose to pursue that route.

AAS offerings include accountant, dental assistant, law enforcement, precision machining and surgical technology, among many others. Students who want to go into cosmetology, nursing, plumbing, welding or a similar field may complete one of Minnesota West’s diplomas. Certificates cover similar areas, such as carpentry, emergency medical services and phlebotomy.

• Free introductory course. Minnesota West recommends that all online learners first take the school’s free, non-credit introduction to online learning course.
• Rigorous standards. The same standards set for Minnesota West’s on-campus courses also apply to the school’s online offerings.
• Time commitment. For a three-credit online class, expect to spend between six and nine hours on coursework each week.

Northwood Technical College  educates students in over 60 career areas. The school’s online offerings include nine certificates and 14 technical diplomas. Most of Northwood Tech’s online certificates and technical diplomas are considered a “Career Pathways program,” meaning they culminate in a professional credential and may offer opportunities for further education.

Some of Northwood Tech’s online courses are also available on campus and allow learners to study in a hybrid format if they would like and are able to. Many offer part-time study options to accommodate working students.

• Updated programs. Northwood Tech regularly updates its program offerings based on market demands.
• Career Pathways. Northwood Tech determines its Career Pathways offerings depending on which careers are seeing high demand in the regional economy.
• Financial aid. Keep in mind that only eight of Northwood Tech’s 23 diploma and certificate programs are financial aid eligible. Learners should check to see whether their prospective program qualifies for financial aid.

West Kentucky Community and Technical College  serves both first-time students and working professionals who want to change careers. The school’s career-ready programs cover a wide variety of career paths, but as of June 2022, only three of these programs are available entirely online.

Online learners can pursue business studies with a concentration in either administrative office technology or business administration. Administrative office technology graduates may pursue certificates in data entry operation, integrated office skills or receptionist work. The business administration track leads to more options, including associate degrees, diplomas and certificates.

Learners who opt for the medical information technology program can also choose from a variety of associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Graduates of this program may work in hospitals, schools, home health environments, specialty clinics or laboratories, among other spaces.

• Admissions requirements. WKTC does not list any prerequisites for prospective learners who are interested in one of the school’s online career programs.
• Online orientation. Prospective distance learners can take WKTC’s online readiness quiz and online learning student orientation to determine whether digital learning is right for them.

Lone Star College  features an impressive variety of online vocational programs. Distance learners can pursue credentials in the areas of business and professional services; computer/digital technology; energy, manufacturing and construction; health sciences; and teaching.

Trade programs at Lone Star are available as associate of applied science (AAS) degrees, certificates and fast tracks. AAS programs run for two years and prepare learners to enter the workforce right after finishing their short-term training. Certificates train students in specific fields, and learners can apply certificate credits toward associate degrees. Fast tracks are non-credit certificate programs. Lone Star also offers teacher certification courses online.

• Large student body. As of fall 2021, over 85,200 students were enrolled in Lone Star College.
• Accreditation. Lone Star holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
• Campuses. Lone Star College features seven physical campuses in addition to its online campus.

Distance learners at Trident Technical College  can complete career training and earn degrees or certificates in business technology, criminal justice, homeland security and hospitality and tourism management—all entirely online.

Learners who are new to studying online can take TTC’s online readiness survey and online learning orientation to gain an understanding of how to succeed in digital learning environments. TCC’s distance education courses are challenging in that they require students to be self-motivated and organized. These online courses require communication among students and educators.

• Rigor. Online programs at TTC use the same faculty and set the same quality standards as the college’s on-campus courses.
• Financial aid. Over 70% of TTC students receive financial aid of some type.
• Honor code. Distance learners at TTC must take an online honor code pledge, which includes a commitment to not plagiarize and honestly report progress.

Houston Community College’s workforce programs confer certificates and associate of applied science degrees. These programs serve students who want to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. HCC’s online offerings include a wide variety of workforce programs.

Learners can complete workforce programs through HCC in the following areas: accounting, business management, child development, computer programming, fire science and safety, geographic information science, international business, logistics and global supply chain management, marketing and real estate.

• Options. HCC offers 60 online programs and 70 hybrid programs covering a total of 80 online subjects.
• Online services. Student services offered online by HCC include advising, counseling, ability, tutoring, proctoring, career support, student support and technical support.
• Affordability. HCC boasts that its tuition rates are among the lowest in the United States.

At Clovis Community College, online students can choose from dozens of certificates and associate of science degrees, which prepare learners to take on entry-level roles in specific career areas. Online programs award three types of certificates: certificates of achievement, certificates in specific subjects and certificates of completion.

Study areas for Clovis Community College’s vocational students include accounting, healthcare administration, engineering (with various concentrations), entry-level management, workplace communication and medical office administration, among others.

• Learning styles. Clovis warns that online learning may not suit all students. Qualities like technological proficiency and self-motivation are crucial for success in online learning environments.
• Tech support. Students can access 24/7 tech support for their coursework through Infobase.