Best Trade Schools in Oregon

• Oregon offers several trade schools to help prepare students for various skilled-trade jobs.
• Some trade school graduates see higher employment rates than people with academic degrees.
• Students should apply to trade schools with the appropriate accreditation.

Attending trade school in Oregon can provide you with access to job opportunities in your trade and the potential for competitive salaries. Many careers in healthcare, technology, and other skilled trades do not require a four-year degree. Instead, graduates with up to two years of specialized training and the necessary certification can qualify for many entry-level positions in the state.

Several Oregon trade schools offer affordable tuition, allowing many students to complete their education with little to no student loans. Also, graduating in two or fewer years lets individuals enter the workforce sooner. Many schools in the state offer online and accelerated programs, benefiting students who need to balance school with professional and family obligations.

Trade Jobs and Salaries in Oregon

Four-year or graduate degrees do not provide the only paths to stable employment. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that professionals with trade or occupational credentials experienced slightly higher employment rates than individuals with academic degrees in 2009. Trade school degrees can lead to jobs with higher than the national median annual salary of $45,760 or higher demand than the average job growth rate of 8%. In Oregon, some common careers include CDL driver, carpenter, and medical assistant.

CDL Driver

• Projected job growth of 12% between 2020-2030
• Median salary of $36,660 in 2021
• The projected job growth rate exceeds the rate of the average of all occupations for the same period.

Carpenter

• Projected job growth of 2% between 2020-2030
• Median salary of $48,260 in 2021
• The projected job growth rate for carpenters is below the average rate of all occupations for the same period. However, this profession earns more than the median annual salary for all other jobs.

Medical Assistant

• Projected job growth of 18% between 2020-2030
• Median salary of $37,190 in 2021
• The projected job growth rate surpasses the average rate of all occupations for the same period.

Trade Schools in Oregon

People wanting to train for a specific career path might opt for trade school. These public or private vocational institutions d offer programs that take 1-2 years to complete. In comparison, associate degrees often require 2 years. Students attending accredited trade schools in Oregon may transfer their credits to a four-year college or university, however that is up to each school.

Students in Oregon can choose from 43 accredited trade schools to acquire specialized skills training. Vocational schools in the state offer programs in healthcare, cosmetology, legal services, carpentry, and other skilled professions.

Students attending an accredited trade school in Oregon can apply for federal financial aid if they meet other requirements. They can also receive scholarships and grants.

Average Cost of Trade School in Oregon

The average cost of trade school in Oregon is $15,011 total for tuition. In contrast, the NCES reports that in-state tuition in Oregon averaged $11,537 for four-year colleges and $5,136 for two-year colleges for the 2020-2021 school year. Net average in-state tuition for these degrees equals $46,148 and $10,272, respectively.

Some trade school graduates might see their education as a good return on their investment regarding post-study employment. The NCES also reports that people with occupational credentials enjoy slightly higher employment rates than professionals with academic degrees. They also generally find jobs in their field of study more often than graduates with bachelor's degrees or higher.

Financial Aid for Trade Schools in Oregon

Some of the best trade schools in Oregon offer grants and scholarships to students seeking financial assistance. Applicants with good grades can pursue merit-based awards. Individuals can also apply for some scholarships if they show financial need or demonstrate preparation for a particular trade.

Women in HVACR Scholarship

• For the technical college or trade school scholarship, qualifying applicants include women preparing for a career in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and currently enrolled in a trade or vocational school. Qualified individuals must also show a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• One of six $5,000 scholarships
• June 1
• Qualified students can start submitting their applications on January 1. Awardees will receive their scholarships after providing proof of attendance for the semester of the award.

The Refrigeration School (RSI) Scholarship

• Qualified applicants must meet application requirements and have already started to schedule training.
• Award covers up to a few hundred dollars to cover tuition costs.
• Deadlines vary by specific scholarship. RSI encourages students to start early in the application process.
• A majority of students attending The Refrigeration School typically receive scholarships or grants. Students who change their start date might lose their scholarships. Students can apply for scholarships to study welding, electrical trades, HVAC/R, and general trades. RSI also offers scholarships to military veterans and family members.

American Trucks Scholarship

• Eligible full-time students currently enrolled in a technical institute or trade school. High school seniors enrolled in one of these institutions can also apply.
• $2,500 scholarship awarded in the fall semester and again in the spring
• June 15 for the fall semester, October 15 for the spring semester
• Applicants must write a 750-1000 word essay outlining their professional goals. In the essay, they must also describe how they will use their education to contribute to the continued development of workers in the trucking community.

Students in Oregon trade schools can seek financial aid for vocational education. Before applying for a grant or scholarship, students should read the application instructions carefully to ensure they meet eligibility requirements. They might also start early to complete and submit their applications to avoid missing important deadlines.

Accreditations in Oregon

Trade schools with accreditation demonstrate they meet educational standards. Furthermore, students enrolled in accredited schools can access federal financial aid. Trade schools can receive accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Private vocational and trade schools in Oregon need state-based licenses, which they can obtain from the Private Career School Unit of the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission.

Apprenticeships in Oregon

Trade school graduates can pursue apprenticeships in Oregon, which offer on-the-job training and work experience under the supervision of qualified professionals. Vocational high schools in Oregon also offercareer and technical education, allowing students to acquire specialized skills and knowledge before they graduate and enter the workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions About Technical Schools in Oregon

How many trade schools are in Oregon?

Students can choose among 43 accredited trade schools in Oregon, some of which offer online and accelerated courses. These public and private institutions can prepare individuals for in-demand professions that require technical skills but not a four-year degree.

People graduating from vocational programs can pursue entry-level positions in their trade. With work experience and continuous training, some professionals can increase their earning potential and professional development in career tracks such as technology, HVAC, and healthcare.

What vocational training pays the most?

Some Oregon jobs requiring community college, trade school, or on-the-job training can offer relatively high pay, including electrical trades and healthcare positions. According to the BLS, elevator installers and repair persons in Oregon can earn more than $100,000, and these professionals might see promising job growth in the next few years.

Another high-paying job in the state, a position in radiation therapy, only requires an associate degree but can pay more than $95,000 with work experience. Also, power distributors and dispatchers with accumulated experience can make more than $90,000, and these positions typically require on-the-job training plus some coursework.

What is the shortest trade school?

While some individuals take about two years to earn an associate degree, others can spend up to one year earning a certification in a specialized trade. Some vocational programs, such as electrical trades, truck driving, or carpentry, allow students to complete their education in months or weeks, preparing them for entry-level employment. Some occupations with on-the-job training require only a high school diploma or GED certificate.

Best Oregon Trade Schools

Each program on the list will meet our criteria, being:

How We Rank Schools

Rankings Methodology:

• Must offer less than one-year certifications
• Accredited
• Less than 18:1 faculty-to-student ratio
• Less than $35,000 in tuition costs
• Over 50% graduation rate

Other Notable Oregon Trade Schools

• Beau Monde Academy of Barbering and Cosmetology
• College of Hair Design Careers
• Northwest College-Eugene
• Northwest College-Hillsboro
• Northwest College-Medford
• Phagans Beauty College
• Phagans Central Oregon Beauty College
• Phagans Medford Beauty School
• Phagans School of Beauty
• Phagans School of Hair Design