Vocational Trade Schools in Oklahoma
Why Choose Trade School?
Trade and vocational schools in Oklahoma provide career-focused training for in-demand careers. Vocational school graduates can pursue allied health careers like respiratory therapist and dental hygienist. They can also train for careers as electricians, mechanics, and welders. In addition to these career paths, vocational schools train students for careers as paralegals, cosmetologists, and chefs.
Vocational programs offer several benefits compared to four-year academic programs. For instance, completing a vocational certificate or degree takes 1-2 years, meaning vocational students can enter the workforce faster than students at four-year programs. In addition, professionals with an occupational credential benefit from a higher employment rate than those with an academic credential, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
During a vocational program, students complete a mix of coursework and experiential learning requirements. Students in the skilled trades may strengthen their skills with laboratory or practicum requirements, while allied health students often complete clinical requirements in healthcare settings.
Many vocational and trade schools offer self-paced or accelerated options to fit the schedules of busy students. Learners seeking the greatest flexibility can also choose an online vocational program.
This page introduces the top-ranked trade and vocational schools in Oklahoma to help students identify the best program to reach their professional goals. This page also provides information on the career and salary outlook for trade school graduates and scholarship opportunities for trade school students.
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FAQ
| QUESTION | ANSWER |
|---|---|
| Can I go to trade school online? | Yes. Many trade schools offer online vocational programs. During an online program, students complete coursework through a distance-learning environment and meet hands-on training requirements at a local site. |
| Can I get financial aid for trade school? | Yes. Students at trade schools in Oklahoma qualify for financial aid opportunities, such as loans, scholarships, and grants. |
| Are scholarships available for vocational students? | Yes. Vocational students may qualify for many scholarship and grant opportunities. Private foundations, professional organizations, and government agencies all award scholarships to trade school students. |
| Can trade school credits transfer? | Yes. Credits earned at a trade school can transfer to other institutions. Graduates from an accredited trade school typically enjoy the most transfer credit opportunities. |
Accreditation and Licensing for Trade Schools
Prospective trade school students should always check a school’s accreditation and licensing status before applying. Attending an unlicensed or unaccredited school can affect a student’s ability to receive financial aid and find jobs after graduation.
Accredited schools meet high standards for granting certificates and degrees. To earn accreditation, schools must undergo a rigorous review from an independent accrediting agency. The review measures the school’s student learning outcomes, faculty qualifications, and academic mission. Accredited schools must regularly repeat the review process to maintain their status.
Accreditation benefits students in several ways. For example, only students at accredited institutions 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.
Schools that offer vocational programs may hold regional or national accreditation. Community colleges and four-year universities generally hold regional accreditation. The Higher Learning Commission grants regional accreditation to two-year and four-year schools in Oklahoma.
Trade and vocational schools in Oklahoma may hold national accreditation from an agency like the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). An accrediting agency approved by the Department of Education, ACCSC accredits over 650 trade and technical schools nationwide. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission grants accreditation to online schools.
Postsecondary schools must also hold a state license to operate. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education provides a list of licensed schools in the state.
Vocational Trade Schools in Oklahoma
Trade schools provide career-focused training in areas like the skilled trades, healthcare, and technology. By choosing a top-ranked trade school in Oklahoma, professionals can advance their education and increase their earning potential. Our list ranks the best vocational schools in Oklahoma to help students reach their career goals.
Rankings
Find Vocational and Trade Schools in Oklahoma
Oklahoma hosts 460 public high schools and 29 community colleges that offer vocational training. The following tool helps students identify the vocational and trade schools in Oklahoma that best fit their needs.
Career and Salary Outlook for Trade School Graduates
Many trade school graduates earn above-average salaries and benefit from strong demand. The career and salary outlook for trade school careers vary by factors like industry, experience, and location, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that trade school occupations offer an average salary of $55,000 per year.
Installation, repair, and maintenance occupations offer around $54,000 per year, while management occupations pay over $108,000 annually. Additionally, healthcare practitioner and technical occupations offer around $92,000 per year.
Location also influences the career outlook for trade school graduates. Oklahoma wage estimates show how much various trade school occupations pay in the state. For example, dental hygienists in Oklahoma earn around $91,000 per year, on average, while respiratory therapists make nearly $71,000 per year.
Demand for many trade school occupations continues to grow. The BLS projects much faster-than-average job growth for respiratory therapists, HVAC technicians, and dental hygienists between 2023 and 2033. Students considering vocational schools in Oklahoma should research the earning potential and job growth projections for their potential field.
What Kinds of Trade School Programs Are Available?
Vocational and trade schools in Oklahoma offer programs in many high-demand areas, including allied health professions and the skilled trades. Graduates can pursue careers as dental hygienists, respiratory therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and medical assistants. Trade school programs also prepare graduates for jobs like electrician, HVAC technician, and paralegal.
This section introduces popular trade school programs. In addition to this list, prospective students can research vocational programs in other fields.
Financial Aid for Trade School Students
Trade schools typically cost less than four-year programs. In addition to taking less time, many two-year schools charge lower tuition rates than four-year schools. For example, Oklahoma public universities cost over $7,500 per year, on average, in tuition and fees, while private universities cost over $26,000 per year. In contrast, Oklahoma community colleges cost under $4,000 per year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
In addition to saving money by choosing an affordable program, prospective students can apply for financial aid to lower the cost of their education. Students must submit the FAFSA annually to receive federal financial aid. Only accredited schools can administer federal financial aid.
Scholarship for Trade School Students
Students attending a trade or vocational school in Oklahoma may qualify for several scholarship and grant opportunities. In addition to the following opportunities, prospective trade school students can research opportunities based on factors like their school and field of study.
