Best Trade Schools in Nevada

• You may need only a high school diploma or certificate to qualify for some of Nevada's highest-paying trade jobs.
• CDL drivers, aviation mechanics, and medical assistants do not need a college degree
• Many in-demand jobs like solar photovoltaic installers do not require a college degree
• You can graduate in less than one year from trade schools in Nevada

Las-Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nevada reported the third highest employment increase of nearly 8% in June 2021-June 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The state experienced job gains in the hospitality, construction, and warehousing industries.

CDL drivers, aviation mechanics, and medical assistants need a high school diploma and vocational training or a two-year associate degree. Trade schools offer students a quicker route to a new career without the student loan debt that often comes with traditional education.

Use this guide to learn about the best trade schools in Nevada and what they cost, how long they take, and how much graduates earn.

Trade Jobs and Salaries in Nevada

Nevadians can pursue high-skilled jobs making $36,890-$71,530 as CDL drivers, aviation mechanics, and medical assistants — positions that do not require advanced college degrees.

CDL Driver

• Projected Employment Growth: 6% from 2020-2030
• Average Salary: $50,860 annually

CDL drivers may have an associate or a bachelor's degree but do not need them to earn their license. A college degree can help individuals who want to become administrators or hold executive-level positions, but employers do not require it.

Aviation Mechanic

• Projected Employment Growth: 11% from 2020-2030
• Average Salary: $71,530 annually

Aviation mechanics may choose to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field to boost their future career prospects. However, they usually only need an associate degree to enter the industry.

Medical Assistant

• Projected Employment Growth: 18% from 2020-2030
• Average Salary: $36,890 annually

Medical assistants earn a certificate after high school or gain work experience in the field. While not required, medical assistants can earn an associate or a bachelor's degree to become a registered nurse.

Trade Schools in Nevada

Power distributors and dispatchers — one of the top-paying jobs in Nevada that do not require a college degree — pay an average annual median salary of $110,470, according to the BLS.

Many in-demand jobs in Nevada do not require a college degree. For instance, solar photovoltaic installers, with 16% projected job growth from 2020-2022, do not require a four-year degree.

Nevada has 24 private two-year and less-than-two-year"trade schools that emphasize hands-on training to teach students in-demand trades, often in less than one year.

Trade schools offer associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas in dental assisting, cosmetology, electrical technology, massage therapy, medical assistant, plumbing, and welding. Students study in classrooms and work in labs, clinics, or externships at job sites.

Average Cost of Trade School in Nevada

Trade schools offer short-term programs that generally cost less than four-year colleges. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that Nevada's four-year colleges charge an annual average of $6,020 or a total cost of $17,990 for in-state tuition —14.49% less than the national average of $9,400 in the 2019-2020 school year.

Private four-year schools in Nevada charged a total cost of $40,470 during that time. Meanwhile, trade schools like the Nevada Career Institute cost $15,400 annually, and Carrington College's tuition starts at $8,630 a year.

Students in Nevada have an average student loan debt of $33,740. However, the benefits of a college degree and trade education often outweigh the costs. Bachelor degree holders in their lifetime make a million dollars more than people with only a high school degree, according to a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Additionally, many high-skilled trades in Nevada offer wages far higher than the national average of $55,630. Electrical line installers and repairers make an annual mean salary of $71,090, and mechanical insulators earn an annual mean wage of $67,250, reports the BLS.

Financial Aid for Trade Schools in Nevada

You can pay for trade school upfront or apply for financial aid. Trade students qualify for federal financial aid if they attend a program for 15 weeks or longer. How much money in loans and grants students receive depends on their FAFSA. Nevada and private professional organizations also offer scholarships that need not be repaid.

Scholarships for Agriculture Programs

Nevada Farm Bureau Trade School Scholarship

• Who Qualifies: Nevada high school graduates enrolled or applying for an agriculture-related trade program
• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: September 1
• Other Important Information: The Nevada Heritage Foundation administers this scholarship to support students training in agriculture business, animal health work, dairy farm supervision, horticulture, irrigation, trucking and transportation, veterinary technology, or welding and fabrication. Applicants must complete the application, submit transcripts, and two letters of recommendation.

Scholarships for Aviation Programs

Aircraft Electronics Association Pat Napolitano Memorial Scholarship for Aspiring Technicians

• Who Qualifies: High school seniors and college students who want to earn an aviation technician certification.
• Amount: $3,000
• Deadline: April 1
• Other Important Information: This scholarship honors the memory of Pat Napolitano, an aircraft mechanic and pilot who worked for more than 30 years in the industry. Applicants must submit a 300-word essay and high school or college transcripts.

Scholarships for Cosmetology Programs

Arnold M. Miller 'Find-a-Way' Cosmetology Student Scholarship

• Who Qualifies: Cosmetologystudents who are at least 18 years old
• Amount: Up to $15,000
• Deadline: August 31
• Other Important Information: Applicants must submit three photos of their work and a YouTube video explaining how they overcame an obstacle through their "Find-A-Way Attitude."

Scholarships do not need to be repaid, and often students can renew their scholarship to receive additional aid the following year. For additional scholarship opportunities, students should consult their academic advisors or financial aid office.

Accreditations in Nevada

Accreditation lets students identify legitimate trade schools and programs. Trade schools hold accreditation plus programs that lead to associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas.

Trade schools receive accreditation from agencies such as the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, and the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences, Inc.

Accredited schools and programs help prepare students for their chosen fields. Accrediting agencies review schools' student recruiting and advertising practices, admissions policies, program requirements, and student achievement. Some licensing boards may require applicants to have graduated from an accredited program.

Apprenticeships in Nevada

Many trade schools offer pathways to apprenticeships. People can also get paid while they train through the Nevada State Apprenticeship Council, which oversees apprenticeships lasting 1-5 years. Applicants can find apprenticeships in construction, government, healthcare, tourism and gaming, and technology.

High school students can train for technical careers at institutions like the East CareerTechnical Academy, Southeast CareerTechnical Academy, and West Career and Technical Academy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Technical Schools in Nevada

Does Nevada have trade schools?

Yes. Nevada has 24 private two-year and less-than-two-year schools. Programs operate online or at locations throughout Nevada in Carson City, Las Vegas, Reno, and Sparks. Nevada only has private for-profit trade schools. Unlike nonprofit colleges that receive funding from the state government, for-profit schools generate revenue from higher tuition and private investors.

Trade schools in Nevada provide hands-on training in subjects like aviation maintenance, cosmetology, health information management, massage therapy, and welding and fabrication. Students can earn associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas from trade schools. Some accredited trade schools may allow students to transfer credits toward a higher degree.

What are the most common trade schools?

The most common trade schools in Nevada include cosmetology schools that teach students beauty arts, makeup design, hair design, and nail technology.

Schools such as the L Makeup Institute provide courses and diplomas that specifically train students in 6-8 months in makeup arts, while the Milan Institute in Las Vegas offers aesthetician-esthetician, barbering, cosmetology, dental assistant, and pharmacy technicians programs. Nevada also trains the next generation of aircraft technicians, aircraft mechanics, and helicopter mechanics at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Las Vegas.

None of the trade schools in Nevada offer bachelor's degrees. Still, students can earn associate degrees at Career College of Northern Nevada, Carrington College in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada Career Institute, Northwest Career College, and Pima Medical Institute of Las Vegas.

Is vocational education better than college?

It depends on the person and their passion. A vocational education typically costs less than a college degree because students do not stay in school for as long.

BLS data shows that a higher degree often equates to higher earnings throughout a person's life. People with a high school diploma earn a median weekly wage of $809, while individuals with associate degrees make an average of $963 a week. Bachelor degree holders earn an average of $1,334 a week. The unemployment rates also decrease as people earn higher degrees.

Best Nevada 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 Nevada Trade Schools

• Academy of Hair Design-Las Vegas
• Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts & Sciences-Summerlin
• Institute of Professional Careers
• Milan Institute of Cosmetology-Reno
• Milan Institute-Sparks
• Paul Mitchell the School-Las Vegas
• Pima Medical Institute-Las Vegas