Vocational Trade Schools in Idaho

Trade and vocational schools in Idaho train students for careers in high-demand areas like healthcare, the skilled trades, technology, and legal studies. During a vocational program, students take classes in their field and build practical skills through practicum, lab, or clinical requirements. HVAC technicians, for example, apply their classroom training in hands-on lab work, while dental hygienists complete clinical requirements to strengthen their skills.

Trade schools offer several benefits compared to four-year schools. For example, earning a vocational certificate or degree typically takes 1-2 years, allowing professionals to enter the workforce faster than students in four-year academic programs. Additionally, the employment rate for professionals with an occupational credential exceeds the rate for professionals with an academic credential, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Many trade and vocational schools offer self-paced or accelerated programs to fit the schedule of busy students. Learners seeking flexibility can also attend online vocational programs.

This page introduces the top vocational schools in Idaho to help prospective students find the best program to reach their professional goals. We also cover other important information for students, such as the importance of accreditation, scholarship opportunities, and potential careers and salaries for graduates.

Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.

Prospective trade school students should always check a school’s accreditation and licensing status before applying. Accredited schools meet the highest standards for granting degrees. To earn accreditation, colleges and universities must undergo a rigorous review process from an independent agency that evaluates the school’s student learning outcomes, faculty qualifications, and academic mission. Accredited schools must regularly repeat the review to maintain their status.

Accreditation benefits students in several ways. For instance, only students at accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid, and many schools only accept degrees and transfer credits from accredited institutions. Additionally, many professional licenses and certifications require an accredited degree.

In Idaho, community colleges and four-year institutions may hold regional accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Vocational and trade schools in Idaho often hold national accreditation from an agency like the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. Schools may also pursue accreditation from specialized agencies like the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, which grants accreditation to online schools.

In addition to accreditation, colleges and universities must gain approval from the state to grant degrees. The Idaho State Board of Education approves public and private institutions, including trade and vocational schools in Idaho.

Idaho’s vocational and trade schools provide career-ready training for professionals in many areas, including healthcare, legal services, technology, and the skilled trades. By attending a top-ranked trade school in Idaho, students can advance their careers and increase their earning potential. Our list ranks the best vocational schools in Idaho.

Trade school graduates can pursue diverse roles, like HVAC technician, dental hygienist, medical assistant, cosmetologist, and pharmacy technician. Because trade schools in Idaho prepare graduates for so many different careers, the salaries for trade school occupations vary widely. However, trade school graduates in many fields earn above-average salaries and enjoy strong projected job growth.

Trade school jobs offer an average salary of $55,000 per year. Personal care and service occupations pay around $32,000 per year, while managerial roles pay an average salary of over $96,000 annually. Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations offer around $55,000 per year and healthcare support occupations offer around $45,000 per year, on average.

Many trade school careers offer strong job growth projections. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects much faster-than-average job growth for HVAC technicians and  occupational therapy assistants between 2023 and 2033.

Prospective trade school students can research Idaho salary data to learn more about state wages in their field. For example, in Idaho, dental hygienists earn nearly $85,000 per year, on average, and HVAC technicians make around $50,000 per year. Paralegals in Idaho earn $52,000 per year, on average, while occupational therapy assistants make around $89,000 annually.

Trade and vocational schools in Idaho offer certificates and degrees in high-demand fields like construction management, medical assisting, electrical technology, and paralegal studies. Completing a vocational program typically takes 1-2 years and prepares graduates for opportunities in growing areas, including healthcare, technology, and the skilled trades.

This section introduces some popular trade school programs in Idaho. Prospective students can also research vocational programs in other fields.

Trade and vocational programs often cost less than four-year academic programs. Most two-year colleges charge lower tuition rates than four-year institutions. In Idaho, public universities cost over $7,000 per year, on average, in tuition and fees, while private universities cost nearly $6,000 per year. In contrast, community colleges cost around $3,000 per year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

In addition to choosing an affordable school, students can lower the cost of their education through financial aid. Students at accredited schools qualify for federal financial aid programs, including loans and grants. Applicants must submit the FAFSA every year to receive federal financial aid.

Scholarships and grants represent one of the best forms of financial aid for college students because, unlike loans, they do not require repayment. The next section introduces scholarship opportunities for students at vocational schools in Idaho.

Trade school students may qualify for many scholarship opportunities in Idaho. For example, the state offers several scholarships for Idaho college students, including students attending career technical education programs. In addition to the following scholarships, students can research additional opportunities based on their school or field.

TRADE AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS