Trade Schools in Colorado

Are you considering attending a trade school in Colorado? You may be surprised to learn that trade school can be a lucrative alternative to a traditional four-year education. Colorado students who attend trade school graduate in less time, often with little to no student loan debt.

Trade jobs in Colorado often have high salaries and leave plenty of room for growth with ongoing training. Keep reading to learn more about trade schools in Colorado and find some of the best programs.

Trade School and Trade Jobs in Colorado

Here are a few facts to know about trade school and trade jobs in Colorado:

• There are more than 70 technical and vocational schools in Colorado that specialize in healthcare, technology, cosmetology, construction, and more.
• The average annual salary for a job that requires only a trade school education in Colorado is more than $53,000.
• Many trade occupations in Colorado have average salaries that are well above the national average salary, which makes this type of education lucrative.

FAQs About Continuing Education in Colorado

Trade Job Outlook in Colorado

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual wage for a job that requires a postsecondary nondegree education is $53,295. That said, jobs without a degree can have salaries that exceed $90,000, so don't feel limited by this average.

So how does this compare with other levels of education?

Average Cost of Trade Programs in Colorado

One of the major benefits of attending trade school is its affordability. The national average cost of trade school is $33,000. Bachelor's degrees cost up to $150,000 on average, according to CollegeBoard. However, the trade schools on our list below average $13,901 in net price.

You'll pay over 10 times more for a bachelor's degree, but only make $30,000 more each year. This means your trade school education will pay off a lot quicker than if you were to earn a bachelor's degree.

Trade Accreditations in Colorado

While there are many trade schools to choose from in Colorado, it's essential that you choose one that is either regionally or nationally accredited. When a program is accredited, it's been verified to provide a quality education that meets certain standards.

Additionally, graduation from an accredited program is often required for federal financial aid or eligibility to sit for licensing exams in some trades.

Trade schools are often accredited by national organizations that include:

• Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
• Distance Education Accrediting Commission
• Higher Learning Commission
• Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training
• Council on Occupational Education

But just because the trade school you've chosen is accredited doesn't mean the program is industry-recognized. Ensure the program you're attending is accredited by an industry-standard organization to get the most out of it.

Accreditation isn't the only factor to consider. Colorado requires that postsecondary schools be licensed in the state to educate students. Colorado's Department of Higher Education maintains a list of licensed schools in the state, including trade schools, so be sure the school you choose falls on this list.

Financial Aid for Trade School in Colorado

While trade schools are already more affordable than four-year alternatives, you can save even more money by applying for one of the many scholarships available to trade school students.

William J. Blair Scholarship Fund

• Who's eligible: Graduating seniors and families from any Fort Collins high school who are unable to pay for a college or vocational school education.
• Amount: $2,500
• Deadline: February 28, 2022

CollegeInvest 529 Scholarship

• Who's eligible: Colorado residents who have an eligible CollegeInvest 529 College savings account that has been open for at least four years.
• Amount: $2,000
• Deadline: Varies (closed for the 2021-2022 school year)
• What to know: Available to students or adults looking to go to college or vocational school for the first time, go back to school, or change careers.

Denver Scholarship Fund

• Who's eligible: Students who attend a DPS high school and graduate with a GPA of at least 2.0.
• Amount: $1,400 - $1,700
• Deadline: Varies (closed for the 2021-2022 school year)
• What to know: This is a need-based scholarship for qualifyings graduates of the Denver Public Schools.

Mildred Sorensen National Scholarship

• Who's eligible: Students with a 2.5 GPA who are high school graduates enrolled in a technical or vocational education program.
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: March 1, 2022
• What to know: Must be attending a program leading to a certificate, diploma, associate's degree, or higher.

For more information on paying for trade school, visit our guide on Vocational Education Financial Aid.

Colorado Trade Schools and Colleges

Colorado is home to plenty of technical and vocational schools for you to choose from. However, the 20 below meet the following qualifications:

• They're all $20,000 and under
• They have graduation rates over of 50%
• They're institutionally accredited

Erin Gobler

Contributing Writer

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