Top Trade Schools in Colorado

Colorado’s diverse economy and growing population create strong demand for skilled professionals across healthcare, technology, skilled trades, and service industries. The state’s trade schools provide career-focused education through established institutions serving communities statewide.

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Best Schools by Specialty

Healthcare Programs

Top Choice: Pima Medical Institute – Multi-location healthcare specialist with partnerships involving over 15,000 employers. Offers medical assisting, nursing, radiography, surgical technology, and dental programs across Aurora, Colorado Springs, and Denver.

Budget-Friendly: Emily Griffith Technical College – Public institution offering healthcare training from $2,000-$10,000 annually. Programs include CNA, dental assisting, medical assisting, and massage therapy.

Comprehensive: Concorde Career College – Healthcare-focused with blended learning model completing programs in 8 months. Features dental assisting, medical laboratory technology, and surgical technology.

Specialized: Arizona College of Nursing – Nursing education specialist with BSN and accelerated programs. Operates across 20 campuses in 12 states including Colorado locations.

Beauty & Cosmetology

Industry Leaders: Aveda Institutes and Paul Mitchell Schools – Nationally recognized brands with extensive salon networks. Aveda offers cosmetology ($16,716), esthetics ($9,966), and massage therapy ($10,961).

Established Network: Empire Beauty Schools – America’s largest cosmetology school system with multiple Colorado locations and average tuition around $16,200.

Specialized Wellness: Cortiva Institute – Dermalogica partner school focusing on massage therapy and esthetics with annual tuition around $11,746.

Skilled Trades & Construction

Construction Focus: Build Strong Academy – 6-12 week construction bootcamps for $50 refundable deposit. Offers carpentry, concrete, electrical, and construction management pathways.

Comprehensive Training: Emily Griffith Technical College – Public institution with automotive, HVAC, welding, electrical, and construction programs since 1916.

Specialized Approach: Construction Industry Training Council of Colorado – Apprenticeship programs in carpentry, electrical, masonry, plumbing, and pipe fitting with employer-sponsored tuition.

Unique Specialty: Colorado School of Trades – 75+ years of gunsmithing training with hands-on customer projects and industry partnerships.

Technology & Business

University-Level: Colorado Technical University – Ranked 9 consecutive years for online programs. Offers business, technology, criminal justice, and nursing with 24/7 campus access.

Practical Focus: IntelliTec College – Multi-location institution with automotive, electrical, HVAC, medical, and computer programs ranging $2,000-$15,000.

Public Option: Red Rocks Community College – Affordable community college with computer technology, graphics, and multimedia programs.

Aviation & Specialized Training

Industry Leader: Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology – 94+ years of aviation training with FAA-approved programs. Total costs range $34,485-$94,101.

Culinary Arts: Escoffier Culinary Arts – Top-ranked culinary school with Boulder campus serving 7,600 students. Average net price $11,554 after aid.

Media Training: Illinois Media School – Broadcasting and media production programs with hands-on studio training. Tuition ranges $12,375-$18,875.

Wellness & Alternative Health

Quick Training: St. Moritz Massage Academy – 20-week (634-hour) therapeutic massage program with licensure exam preparation.

Comprehensive: Available through Aveda Institutes, Cortiva Institute, Emily Griffith Technical College, and Lincoln Tech

Online & Distance Learning

Fully Online: U.S. Career Institute – Self-paced programs completing in as little as 4 months. Certificate programs range $585-$1,539 total.

List of Top Trade Schools in Colorado

Arizona College of Nursing

Colorado's campus is in Aurora, on South Vaughn Way, with full approval from the Colorado Board of Nursing. Its version of the BSN has more nursing: 73 nursing credits and 765 clinical hours, against 70 and 630 elsewhere, and the school says only Aurora's BSN meets Colorado licensure requirements. Tuition is $915 per credit, $109,800 for 120 credits (2026–27), and the school reported 91% placement for 2024–25.

3131 S Vaughn Way, Suite 525 Aurora, CO 80014
Healthcare and Nursing

Avalon Institute

Avalon Institute's Colorado campus is in Aurora, on South Peoria Street, and is one of the school's two main campuses. It teaches 1,500-hour Cosmetology and 600-hour Esthetics by day or evening, and its catalog also lists short certificates in Advanced Makeup, Microdermabrasion, Chemical Exfoliation and eyelash extensions. Its Barbering program is approved but not accepting enrollments. The school is approved by Colorado's Private Occupational School Board.

2231 S Peoria Street Aurora, CO 80014
Cosmetology and Barbering

Aveda Institutes

Colorado's only Aveda Institute is in Denver, on Kalamath Street, and is run by Inspire Greatness Aveda Institutes, which began there in 2000. It teaches 1,500-hour cosmetology and barbering, 1,200-hour hairstyling, 600-hour esthiology and 650-hour massage therapy, one of the broader program lists in the network. Its outcomes sheet reported 96% graduation, 73% placement and 100% licensure for 2024.

801 Kalamath St Denver, CO 80204
Cosmetology and Barbering, Massage Therapy

Colorado School of Trades

Colorado School of Trades is a private, for-profit school with a single program: a 14-month, in-person Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) degree in gunsmithing, with a new class starting every month. Students work on customers' firearms brought to the school's Gun Shop and build their own bolt-action project rifle. Tuition is $27,000 for the whole program, plus about $5,000 for tools, and federal aid is accepted.

1575 Hoyt St. Lakewood, CO 80215
Skilled Trades

Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University is a private, for-profit university owned by Perdoceo Education. It teaches mostly online, with one campus in Colorado Springs that only students with a Colorado address can attend. It offers associate to doctoral degrees, mostly in business, IT, computer science, criminal justice and healthcare management, plus an RN to BSN for licensed nurses and the Coding Dojo software development certificate. Federal data put 2024-25 tuition at $335 per undergraduate credit.

1575 Garden of the Gods Road, Ste 100 Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Business, Criminal Justice and Law, Computer and Information Technology, Healthcare Administration

Community College of Aurora

Community College of Aurora is a public two-year college in the Colorado Community College System with three Denver-area campuses. Its 2026-27 catalog lists 45 associate programs, 27 certificates and two bachelor's degrees, including a new RN program, paramedic and fire training, a 12-month diesel degree and film production. Colorado residents pay $183.75 per credit in 2026-27 after the state's College Opportunity Fund stipend.

16000 E. CentreTech Pkwy Aurora, CO 80011
12650 E. Arapahoe Rd., Suite 100 Centennial, CO 80112
9075 E. Lowry Blvd. Denver, CO 80230
Business, Computer and Information Technology, Construction, Criminal Justice and Law, Graphics, Design, and Arts, Healthcare and Nursing, Phlebotomy Technician, Public Safety, Skilled Trades

Concorde Career College

Concorde's Colorado campus moved from Aurora to a 60,000-square-foot building on North Kittredge Street in Denver in 2026. It teaches a pre-licensure BSN, which gained ACEN initial accreditation in April 2026, and practical nursing, plus dental hygiene and assisting, sonography, JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, surgical technology and shorter allied health diplomas. ACCSC accredited; federal aid accepted.

4300 N. Kittredge St, Suite 100 Denver, CO 80239
Dental, Healthcare Administration, Healthcare and Nursing, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Phlebotomy Technician, Radiology, Sterile Processing Technician

Construction Industry Training Council of Colorado

The Construction Industry Training Council of Colorado (CITC) is a nonprofit, non-union construction apprenticeship sponsor, registered with the US Department of Labor according to CITC, not a college. Apprentices work full-time for a sponsoring contractor and attend one evening class a week for three or four years in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, pipefitting, sheet metal or masonry. Employers usually pay the tuition, and the classes earn college credit through Emily Griffith Technical College.

9901 W 50th Ave Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Skilled Trades, Construction, Electrical

Denver College of Nursing

In Colorado, Denver College of Nursing teaches at its main campus in Denver: the 18-month Associate Degree in Nursing and the 21-month pre-licensure BSN, both approved by the Colorado Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN. The online RN-to-BSN and MSN are run from Denver. The school lists tuition of $38,872 for the ADN and $52,863 for the BSN. 2025 first-time NCLEX pass rates: ADN 84.72%, BSN 80.30%.

1401 19th Street Denver, CO 80202
Healthcare and Nursing

Emily Griffith Technical College

Emily Griffith Technical College is a public technical college run by Denver Public Schools. It teaches certificate programs in health care, barbering and beauty, culinary arts and skilled trades, mostly in person with some online coursework, and runs registered apprenticeships for electricians, carpenters and other trades. On its current program pages, most programs cost Colorado residents from $1,085 for Nurse Assisting to $15,970 for Practical Nursing.

1860 Lincoln St. Denver, CO 80203
1205 Osage St. Denver, CO 80204
Business, Healthcare and Nursing, Skilled Trades, Professional Services, Automotive, Construction, Cosmetology and Barbering, Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management, Electrical, HVAC and Building Services, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Welding

Empire Beauty Schools

Empire lists three Colorado campuses around Denver, in Aurora, Littleton and Thornton, each teaching only 1,500-hour cosmetology. The Aurora page said it was not enrolling students in October 2026, so only Littleton and Thornton are listed here. Their cosmetology totals were $22,365 and $22,459 on Empire's pages (September 2026). Empire's 2024 NACCAS disclosures give graduation rates of 48.57% at Littleton and 67.07% at Thornton.

8996 W Bowles Ave Littleton, CO 80123
3811 E 120th Ave Thornton, CO 80233
Cosmetology and Barbering

Escoffier Culinary Arts

Escoffier's Colorado campus is in Boulder. It teaches 30-week culinary arts and pastry arts diplomas and 60-week associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry, accredited by ACCET and, for these residential programs, the ACF. All of Escoffier's online programs are also run from Boulder, which reported 8,504 students including online in 2025. Totals for starts from 18 August 2026 are $20,757 for a Boulder diploma and $41,795 for an associate degree.

637 South Broadway, Suite H Boulder, CO 80305
Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management, Business

Full Circle School of Massage Therapy

Full Circle School of Massage Therapy teaches its own Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique (SMRT) to licensed massage therapists in three-day live workshops worth 24 CEs each, plus streaming video courses. It is an NCBTMB Approved Provider of continuing education but we found no institutional accreditation. Its website names a basic massage program without publishing hours, tuition or start dates, and the school was not on Colorado's September 2026 list of active private occupational schools.

2101 South Blackhawk St., Suite 245 Aurora, CO 80014
Massage Therapy

IBMC College

IBMC College is a private, for-profit career college with three campuses in Northern Colorado. It trains medical and dental assistants, massage therapists, cosmetologists, estheticians, barbers and paralegals in certificate, diploma and associate (AOS) programs of about 5 to 19 months. It is accredited by ACCSC and takes federal student aid. DVMD LLC, owner of IntelliTec College, bought it in 2023. Reported 2024-25 program prices ran from $12,600 to $34,290.

3842 S Mason Street, Suite 102 Fort Collins, CO 80525
2863 35th Avenue Greeley, CO 80634
2315 N. Main Street Longmont, CO 80501
Medical Assisting, Dental, Massage Therapy, Cosmetology and Barbering, Law

Illinois Media School

In Colorado the Beonair Network teaches as Colorado Media School, with one campus in Denver. It runs Radio & TV Broadcasting, Digital Media Production, Sports Broadcasting and Film & Video Production; Audio Production is not offered here. The campus page's cost table lists $18,495 for 8-month programs and $12,175 for emphasis programs, plus a $125 fee (October 2026), though its text gives lower figures. Approved by the Colorado Division of Private Occupational Schools.

4380 S Syracuse St, Suite 400 Denver, CO 80237
Communications and Media

IntelliTec College

IntelliTec College has three Colorado campuses. Colorado Springs, the original 1965 campus, teaches automotive, electrical, HVAC, computer, medical assistant and billing programs; Grand Junction adds cosmetology, massage and the only dental assistant program; Pueblo also teaches electrical, cosmetology, massage and the only nursing assistant course. In April 2026 Colorado's Private Occupational School Board put the Colorado Springs campus's certificate of approval on probation for graduate job placement below the 70% benchmark, KRDO reported.

2315 E Pikes Peak Ave Colorado Springs, CO 80909
772 Horizon Dr Grand Junction, CO 81506
3673 Parker Blvd Pueblo, CO 81008
Automotive, Computer and Information Technology, Electrical, HVAC and Building Services, Cosmetology, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Dental, Healthcare and Nursing

Lincoln Tech

Lincoln College of Technology's Denver campus is Lincoln's only school in Colorado. It focuses on vehicle and building trades: automotive, collision repair, diesel and truck, electrical, HVAC and welding. Programs are diplomas of roughly a year, with management associate degrees for some trades, and classes run in day, afternoon and evening shifts. ACCSC accredited; federal aid and GI Bill accepted.

11194 E. 45th Ave Denver, CO 80239
Automotive, Computer and Information Technology, Dental, Electrical, HVAC and Building Services, Healthcare and Nursing, Machine Operation, Medical Assisting, Skilled Trades, Welding

National School of Dental Assisting

In Colorado, the National School of Dental Assisting teaches its 8-week dental assisting course in a host dental office in Broomfield, north of Denver. That site is on the Colorado Division of Private Occupational Schools' approved list (April 2026). The course includes dental X-ray training that the school says meets Colorado's requirement. Colorado is also the only state for its 3-weekend Expanded Duties Dental Assistant (EDDA I and II) course. Tuition is not published.

3303 W. 144th Ave., Suite 100 Broomfield, CO 80023
Dental, Healthcare and Nursing

Nova Southeastern University

Colorado's only NSU site, which NSU calls its Denver campus, is on South Yosemite Street in Centennial. It teaches one program: the 27-month M.S. in Anesthesia, which trains anesthesiologist assistants for the NCCAA certification exam. NSU reported three-year averages of 93.33% first-attempt pass and 100% job placement for the Denver program. NSU's 2026-27 table, as we read it, lists $23,201, $69,604 and $69,604 for the three years.

6881 S. Yosemite St Centennial, CO 80112
Business, Communications and Media, Computer and Information Technology, Criminal Justice and Law, Graphics, Design, and Arts, Healthcare and Nursing, Real Estate

Paul Mitchell Schools

Colorado has two Paul Mitchell schools: Colorado Springs, on West Colorado Avenue, and the Denver school, which is in Lakewood. Both teach cosmetology, barbering, esthetics and nail technology, and Colorado Springs also has a separate hairstylist program. They have different operators (The DSKM Group, LLC and PMCO Denver, LLC), so prices and schedules differ. Neither lists an instructor program.

118 West Colorado Ave Colorado Springs, CO 80903
405 South Teller Street Lakewood, CO 80226
Cosmetology and Barbering

Pickens Technical College

Pickens Technical College is a public technical college run by Aurora Public Schools in the Denver area. It teaches more than 25 certificate programs in health care, skilled trades, beauty, culinary arts and design to adults and high-school students, and some certificates stack into associate degrees with the Community College of Aurora. 2026-27 tuition is $137 per credit hour for Colorado residents, and the college takes Pell Grants but not federal student loans.

500 Airport Blvd Aurora, CO 80011
Healthcare and Nursing, Skilled Trades, Automotive, Construction, Cosmetology and Barbering, Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management, Dental, Graphics, Design, and Arts, HVAC and Building Services, Pharmacy Tech, Veterinary Services, Welding

Pima Medical Institute

Pima Medical Institute has three Colorado campuses: Denver (since 1988), Colorado Springs (2002) and Aurora (2012). Aurora teaches practical nursing, Colorado Springs is PMI's only campus with Medical Laboratory Technician, and Denver has the widest range, including OTA, PTA, radiography, respiratory therapy, surgical technology and nurse aide, but no vet tech. All three teach dental assisting with a 40-hour Expanded Duties course. Medical Assistant cost $19,291 (1 Jul 2026).

13750 E. Mississippi Ave Aurora, CO 80012
5725 Mark Dabling Blvd, Suite 150 Colorado Springs, CO 80919
7475 Dakin St, Suite 100 Denver, CO 80221
Dental, Healthcare Administration, Healthcare and Nursing, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Phlebotomy Technician, Radiology, Sterile Processing Technician, Veterinary Services

Red Rocks Community College

Red Rocks Community College is a public two-year college in the Colorado Community College System, founded in 1969, with two campuses in the Denver area. It trains for the trades, public safety and health care, from fine woodworking and a POST-approved police academy to radiologic technology and a physician assistant master's degree. Colorado residents pay $183.75 per credit on campus in 2026-27 after the state's COF stipend.

13300 W. 6th Ave. Lakewood, CO 80228
10280 W 55th Ave. Arvada, CO 80002
Criminal Justice and Law, Healthcare and Nursing, Skilled Trades, Professional Services, Computer and Information Technology, Construction, Cosmetology and Barbering, Electrical, Graphics, Design, and Arts, HVAC and Building Services, Healthcare Administration, Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy Technician, Public Safety, Radiology, Welding

Sage Truck Driving School

SAGE has two Colorado locations: Denver, which moved in 2025 from Commerce City to East 51st Avenue, and Grand Junction. Both are approved for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Colorado's Division of Private Occupational Schools approves and regulates SAGE, and the 2025 Denver catalog lists Class A tuition of $5,215 plus $380 in fees, and the refresher at $3,215 plus $380. Prices may have changed since.

510 E 51st Avenue, Suite 206 Denver, CO 80216
2800 Printers Way Grand Junction, CO 81506
Trucking and Transportation

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology

Spartan's Colorado campus is in Broomfield, in the Denver area, and Spartan bought it as Redstone College in 2016. It currently enrolls one program, the 23-month Aviation Maintenance Technology AAS, which prepares students for the FAA Airframe and Powerplant exams, in a day shift or a 4 to 11 p.m. night shift. The supplement in effect from 10 June 2026 puts the total at $66,216. The avionics degree is not currently enrolling.

10851 West 120th Avenue Broomfield, CO 80021
Aviation

St. Moritz Massage Academy

St. Moritz Massage Academy is a private massage school in the Denver area with one in-person program: the 650-clock-hour Professional Therapeutic Massage Program, which takes 24 weeks full-time or 48 weeks part-time and prepares students for the MBLEx licensing exam. Tuition is $9,950, or $11,130 with fees (October 2026). Colorado's Division of Private Occupational Schools approves the school, which lists no accreditation or federal aid.

6200 South Syracuse Way, Suite 135 Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Massage Therapy

Technical College of the Rockies

Technical College of the Rockies is a public, certificate-only technical college in western Colorado that trains adults and concurrent high-school students for health, emergency-services, beauty and trade jobs, from a 5-credit phlebotomy course to a 60-credit, CAAHEP-accredited sonography program. Most classes meet in person in half-day blocks, with EMT courses in the evening. In 2026-27 Colorado residents pay a general rate of $103.50 per credit, and $109 to $191 in health-science and law-enforcement programs.

1765 US Highway 50 Delta, CO 81416
Healthcare and Nursing, Skilled Trades, Professional Services, Automotive, Cosmetology and Barbering, Criminal Justice and Law, Public Safety, Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy Technician, Radiology, Veterinary Services

Trinidad State College

Trinidad State College is a public two-year college in the Colorado Community College System whose gunsmithing program dates to 1947. It also trains registered and practical nurses, police cadets, EMTs, welders, barbers and electrical line technicians, and offers an online RN-to-BSN. For 2026-27, Colorado residents pay $183.75 per credit after the state stipend and non-residents $306.40. Fall 2024 enrollment was 1,613.

600 Prospect Street Trinidad, CO 81082
1011 Main Street Alamosa, CO 81101
4940 S Hwy 85/87 Colorado Springs, CO 80911
Business, Criminal Justice and Law, Education, Healthcare and Nursing, Skilled Trades, Automotive, Computer and Information Technology, Cosmetology and Barbering, Dental, Electrical, Medical Assisting, Public Safety, Welding

U.S. Career Institute

U.S. Career Institute is an online, self-paced school based in Fort Collins, Colorado, offering short certificates in medical billing and coding, medical assisting, pharmacy technician and other allied health, business and trade fields, plus associate degrees. Most certificates cost about $600 to $2,300 on a monthly plan. DEAC accredited; no federal financial aid.

2001 Lowe Street Fort Collins, CO 80525
Business, Criminal Justice and Law, Healthcare and Nursing, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Tech, Phlebotomy Technician, Skilled Trades, Sterile Processing Technician, Veterinary Services, Wellness

Western States College of Construction

Western States College of Construction (WSCC), established in 2021, offers debt-free associate degrees in skilled trades like HVAC, plumbing, and pipefitting through a paid apprenticeship model. Accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE), WSCC emphasizes hands-on learning, with 90% of training taking place in the field. Graduates benefit from an impressive 98% job placement rate, making it a top choice for aspiring tradespeople.

1391 Speer Blvd, Ste. 450 Denver, CO 80204
2980 Gunnison Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81504
3168 Pipe Ct, Grand Junction, CO 81504
1515 W 47th Ave, Denver, CO 80211
17100 E 32nd Pl, Aurora, CO 80011
6350 N Broadway, Denver, CO 80216
4003 N Weber St, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
2870 Janitell Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Skilled Trades

Guides to Specific Trades in Colorado

Cost Analysis

Most Affordable Options

Build Strong Academy – $50 refundable deposit for construction programs
Emily Griffith Technical College – $2,000-$10,000 annually (public rates)
U.S. Career Institute – $585-$1,539 total for certificate programs
National School of Dental Assisting – $1,000-$5,000 per course
IntelliTec College – $2,000 starting cost for select programs

Average Program Costs by Category

Public Institution Programs: $2,000-$10,000 annually
Certificate Programs: $1,000-$25,000 total
Beauty/Cosmetology: $9,966-$16,716
Healthcare Training: $17,305-$25,549 annually
University Programs: $15,625-$35,880 annually
Aviation Training: $34,485-$94,101 total

Shortest Programs

Build Strong Academy: 6-week construction bootcamps
National School of Dental Assisting: 8-12 weeks
St. Moritz Massage Academy: 20 weeks
Concorde Career College: 8-month healthcare programs
U.S. Career Institute: 4+ months online programs

Program Duration Overview

Quick Certificates: 6 weeks to 8 months
Standard Programs: 6 months to 2 years
Associate Degrees: 15 months to 2 years
Bachelor’s Degrees: 3-4 years

Quick Entry Programs for Career Launch

Build Strong Academy provides the fastest workforce entry with 6-week construction skills bootcamps leading directly to employment. Most programs require only a $50 refundable deposit.

National School of Dental Assisting offers 8-12 week programs in active dental facilities with real equipment and 40-hour externships.

Emily Griffith Technical College delivers accelerated certificate programs with immediate workforce entry potential and public institution affordability.

Concorde Career College emphasizes 8-month healthcare programs with blended learning and immediate career readiness.

Construction Industry Training Council provides apprenticeships combining paid work experience with evening education.

Flexible Learning Options for Working Adults

Evening Classes

Emily Griffith Technical College operates morning, afternoon, and evening sessions with hybrid formats for working professionals.

Construction Industry Training Council offers evening classes 3:00-7:00 PM for apprentices working days.

IntelliTec College provides day and evening options across all programs with industry veteran instructors.

Online and Hybrid Options

Colorado Technical University features extensive online programming with 24/7 technical support and campus access.

U.S. Career Institute operates fully online with self-paced learning available 24/7 and mobile accessibility.

Escoffier Culinary Arts combines online classes with hands-on training and six-week externships.

Self-Paced Learning

Multiple institutions offer flexible pacing allowing students to accelerate or adjust timelines based on personal circumstances and career goals.

Financial Aid and Support Services

Federal Aid Acceptance

All major institutions accept federal financial aid including Pell Grants, student loans, and work-study programs. Public institutions offer additional state-based assistance.

Institutional Support

Lincoln Tech has awarded $2 million in scholarships with extensive corporate partnership funding.

Pima Medical Institute offers nearly $1 million in institutional aid with 90-96% of students receiving assistance.

Colorado Technical University provides tuition reimbursement programs and various scholarship opportunities.

Military Benefits

All schools accept VA benefits and GI Bill funding. Many provide specialized veteran support services, military-specific scholarships, and credit for military experience.

Industry Partnerships and Career Services

Strong Employer Networks

Pima Medical Institute partners with over 15,000 healthcare employers for externships and job placement.

Paul Mitchell Schools connects students to over 100,000 affiliated salons globally.

Construction Industry Training Council works directly with construction companies for apprenticeship placements.

Specialized Training Partnerships

Lincoln Tech partners with Audi, BMW, Johnson Controls, and Haas Automation for industry-specific training.

Cortiva Institute operates as Dermalogica partner school with International Dermal Institute access.

Spartan College maintains FAA approval and aviation industry relationships spanning 94+ years.

Geographic Coverage and Accessibility

Metro Denver Area

Multiple campuses concentrated in Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, and Westminster providing urban accessibility and public transportation options.

Colorado Springs

Specialized institutions including Colorado Technical University, IntelliTec College, Pima Medical Institute, and Paul Mitchell Schools.

Statewide Presence

IntelliTec College operates in Colorado Springs, Grand Junction, and Pueblo. Lincoln Tech, Paul Mitchell Schools, and Empire Beauty Schools maintain multiple locations.

Rural Access

Online options through Colorado Technical University and U.S. Career Institute serve students in remote areas.

Accreditation and Quality Standards

Colorado schools maintain proper accreditation from recognized agencies:

ACCSC (Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges)
COE (Council on Occupational Education)
HLC (Higher Learning Commission)
NACCAS (National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts & Sciences)
ABHES (Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools)

Making Your Decision

Key Decision Factors

Career Goals: Match program offerings to target profession
Geographic Preferences: Consider campus locations and transportation
Budget Constraints: Compare public vs. private institution costs
Schedule Requirements: Evaluate class timing and format flexibility
Timeline Needs: Determine acceptable program duration
Support Services: Consider available student and career resources

Research Steps

Contact schools for current tuition and program information
Visit campuses to evaluate facilities and equipment quality
Review job placement statistics and graduate outcomes
Investigate financial aid options and payment plans
Speak with current students, recent graduates, and industry employers

Notable Colorado Advantages

Mix of public and private institutions providing cost options
Strong healthcare training presence serving aging population
Construction and skilled trades programs supporting growth
Aviation industry connections and specialized training
Technology sector programs aligned with Colorado’s tech economy
Multiple 100% acceptance rate schools ensuring accessibility

Colorado’s trade schools provide comprehensive career preparation across growing industries with options ranging from quick-entry certificates to specialized degree programs, serving diverse student needs throughout the state.