The Paterson area and surrounding Bergen County communities offer exceptional career training opportunities through established trade schools. These institutions provide focused, practical education designed to launch careers quickly and efficiently across diverse industries.
Best Schools by Specialty
Healthcare Programs
American Institute Trade School leads healthcare training with comprehensive programs including Dental Assisting, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Medical Assisting, Medical Coding and Billing, and Nurses’ Aid Fast Track. The school operates multiple locations and maintains ABHES accreditation.
Eastwick College excels in advanced healthcare training, offering Nursing, Pharmacy Technology, Physical Therapy Assistant, Surgical Technologist, and Sonography programs. Their BS in Diagnostic Medical Sonography represents one of the most comprehensive healthcare programs available.
Berkeley College provides healthcare management programs alongside hands-on Medical Assistant and Nursing training. Their accelerated degree programs allow Associate’s completion in just 16 months.
FORTIS College specializes in fast-paced healthcare programs including Nursing, Medical Lab Technician, Radiology, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assisting, and Phlebotomy with small class sizes and personal attention.
Lincoln Tech offers Dental Assistant, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, and Nursing programs with strong industry partnerships and career placement assistance.
CDE Career Institute specializes in medical support roles with Medical Office Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding with Transcription, and Phlebotomy Technician programs.
Aviation & Specialized Transportation
Aviation Institute of Maintenance dominates aviation training with FAA-licensed programs in Aviation Maintenance Technology, Avionics Technician, and Aviation Maintenance Technical Engineer programs. Founded in 1969, this ACCSC-accredited institution provides hands-on training for high-demand aviation careers.
Skilled Trades
HoHoKus School of Trade & Technical Sciences leads skilled trades education with Electrician Apprenticeship, Plumber Apprenticeship, Welding, HVAC, and Manufacturing Technology programs. Established in 1954, this institution operates state-of-the-art facilities designed for hands-on training.
FORTIS College offers comprehensive skilled trades programs including Electrical, Welding, HVAC, and Construction Management training.
Eastwick College also provides skilled trades programs including HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, and Welding training.
Business & Technology
Berkeley College leads business education with accelerated programs in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, and International Business. Their Bachelor’s degrees can be completed in three years, with MBA combinations possible in four years.
Eastwick College provides robust technology education with Networking, Computer Systems Technician, and Cyber Security programs alongside traditional business training.
Lincoln Tech offers Computer Systems Technician programs with strong industry partnerships.
Beauty & Cosmetology
Empire Beauty Schools dominates beauty education as the largest cosmetology school system nationwide with programs in Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technology, and Educator Training. Founded in 1946, they offer hands-on training in real salon environments.
Lincoln Tech also provides Cosmetology and Nail Care programs through their comprehensive vocational training approach.
Automotive & Transportation
Lincoln Tech excels in automotive training with specialized partnerships including Audi and BMW for Automotive Technology and Collision & Body Repair programs. They also offer Diesel Technology and comprehensive trucking programs.
Cost Analysis
The average cost for a trade school in the Paterson area is approximately $22,500.
Most Affordable Programs
- CDE Career Institute: $3,400 – $13,850 (most affordable option)
- FORTIS College: $15,000 average annually
- Empire Beauty Schools: $16,200 average
- Aviation Institute of Maintenance: $20,000 – $30,000
- Lincoln Tech: $20,000 – $35,000
- HoHoKus School: $22,221 average annual cost
- Berkeley College: $26,900 undergraduate annually
- Eastwick College: $13,200 – $63,680 (widest range)
Shortest Programs
Eastwick College and HoHoKus School provide the fastest path to employment with programs completing in as little as 3-6 months. Empire Beauty Schools and FORTIS College also offer accelerated training options.
Program Duration Averages
- Quick Certifications: 3-6 months (basic trade skills, beauty programs)
- Standard Programs: 6-18 months (most specialties)
- Advanced Programs: 16 months – 4 years (degrees and specialized technical training)
Most Popular Programs
Based on availability across multiple institutions:
- Medical Assisting (offered at 6+ schools)
- Business Administration (Berkeley, Eastwick, HoHoKus, FORTIS)
- Electrical Trades (American Institute, HoHoKus, Eastwick, FORTIS)
- Computer Systems Technician (Berkeley, Eastwick, HoHoKus, FORTIS, Lincoln Tech)
- Cosmetology (Empire Beauty Schools, Lincoln Tech)
List of Top Schools
American Institute
The American Institute Clifton, NJ, provides individuals with a quality, affordable education. The New Jersey location offers programs in Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting, Massage Therapy, Electrical Trades Technology, ESL, and Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
This for-profit college is recognized for its small size and boasts high job placement rates.
Students in Clifton can enjoy a 6,000 square foot space, convenient public transportation nearby, and Wi-Fi across the entire campus.
- 346 Lexington Ave. (Clifton) Paterson, NJ 07011
Aviation Institute of Maintenance
AIM Hasbrouck Heights, formerly the Teterboro School of Aeronautics, teaches the Aviation Maintenance Technician (A&P) certificate and the PAMC exam-prep course. Its campus page lists day classes only. The 20,000-square-foot hangar holds a Learjet 25D. In AIM’s 2025 accreditor report, 72% of 2021–22 A&P starters graduated and 72% of available graduates were employed in the field.
- 459 NJ-17 Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604
CDE Career Institute
Founded in 1996, CDE Career Institute is a private, for-profit institution with campuses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It offers a range of certificate programs in fields such as medical transcription, medical office assistance, and phlebotomy, tailored to meet the needs of job seekers and employers. The institute provides flexible class schedules, including day, evening, and online options with monthly start dates to accommodate various lifestyles. CDE Career Institute is accredited by the Council On Occupational Education and licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, ensuring a legitimate educational path. Graduates benefit from lifetime job placement assistance, enhancing their career prospects in their chosen fields.
- 157-183 Main St Paterson, NJ 07505
Eastwick College
With three campuses in New Jersey, Eastwick College offers hands-on training for several fields that are in high demand. Students can earn bachelor’s or associate’s degrees, as well as certificates and diplomas. The curriculum is accredited and follows local hiring trends.
Programs are designed to fit with top work opportunities in the New York Metro area. Applicants can choose to study business, technology, healthcare, culinary arts, and more. These prepare them for careers after graduation.
Eastwick College’s Paterson, NJ campus provides traditional classroom instruction and hands-on training in lab settings. Thanks to this well-rounded approach, students at Eastwick can develop the skills they need to qualify for careers in the healthcare, business, or skilled trades industry. Hospitality and funeral services programs are also available at this school.
- 634 Market St. Paterson, NJ 07513
Fortis College & Fortis Institute
Fortis Institute Wayne, on Willowbrook Boulevard, was formerly Berdan Institute. It teaches medical and dental assisting, medical billing and coding, an Electrical Systems Technician diploma, HVAC-R and a Lab Technician certificate for biotech and manufacturing labs (not a medical lab program). Its 2025 ABHES placement rates ranged from 49% (electrical) to 86% (billing and coding). Massage therapy takes no new enrollments.
- 201 Willowbrook Blvd Wayne, NJ 07470
HoHoKus School of Trade & Technical Sciences
HoHoKus School of Trade and Technical Sciences, established in 1954 in Paterson, NJ offers certificate programs for students pursuing skilled trades careers. Aspiring electricians, plumbers, welders, electricians, manufacturers, and facilities managers can earn diplomas and complete apprenticeships at this school to qualify for jobs in their chosen industries.
Located in a state-of-the-art facility in Paterson, New Jersey, the school provides quality education, boasting extensive shop areas and expert faculty, allowing completion of studies in as short as six months. With flexible scheduling options and classes running from morning till evening, the institution caters to students’ varied availability and also offers robust job placement services to support graduates in finding employment. HoHoKus School of Trade & Technical Sciences is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and approved by both the New Jersey Department of Education and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, ensuring a legitimate and recognized education pathway. The most comprehensive program, the electrician degree, has an average annual cost of $22,221, inclusive of all associated educational expenses.
- 634 Market St. Paterson, NJ 07513
Lincoln Tech
Lincoln Tech Paramus, in the Bergen Town Center, teaches healthcare and IT: practical nursing, medical assisting, patient care technician and computer systems support. Its nursing program was placed on probation by the NJ Board of Nursing in 2024, passed 95% of first-time testers from January to September 2025, and was allowed to enroll again from January 2026.
- 240 Bergen Town Center Paramus, NJ 07652
Quick Entry Programs for Immediate Career Launch
3-6 Month Fast Track Options
Eastwick College and HoHoKus School lead quick-entry training with programs designed to launch careers in six months or less, including Patient Technician programs and basic trade certifications.
American Institute Trade School offers specialized Nurses’ Aid Fast Track programs for rapid healthcare entry.
Empire Beauty Schools provides accelerated beauty certifications with hands-on salon training.
Aviation Fast Track
Aviation Institute of Maintenance offers intensive aviation maintenance programs designed to meet FAA requirements efficiently while providing hands-on experience with actual aircraft.
Short-Term Specializations
CDE Career Institute provides focused certification programs including Phlebotomy Technician and basic office support training with monthly start dates.
Flexible Learning Options for Working Adults
Maximum Schedule Flexibility
CDE Career Institute leads adult-friendly scheduling with:
- Monthly start dates
- Day classes: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Monday-Thursday)
- Evening classes: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM (weekdays)
- Online and hybrid learning options
HoHoKus School provides extensive flexibility:
- Operating hours: 8:00 AM – 10:10 PM (Monday-Thursday)
- Both day and evening options
- Intensive hands-on training with personal attention
Lincoln Tech accommodates working adults with flexible scheduling across 8 AM – 8 PM Monday-Thursday operations.
Accelerated Degree Options
Berkeley College offers unique accelerated paths:
- Associate’s degrees in 16 months
- Bachelor’s degrees in 3 years
- Combined Bachelor’s/MBA in 4 years
- International student support (290 students from 57 countries)
Adult-Friendly Features
- 100% acceptance rates at CDE, HoHoKus, Aviation Institute, Empire Beauty, FORTIS, and Lincoln Tech
- Lifetime job placement assistance at CDE Career Institute
- 24-hour campus access at many FORTIS locations
- Flexible payment plans across all institutions
- Military and veteran support at Berkeley, FORTIS, and Lincoln Tech
Specialized Training Excellence
Aviation Leadership
Aviation Institute of Maintenance stands out as the region’s premier aviation training facility with FAA licensing, ACCSC accreditation, and 13 campuses nationwide. Programs include Aviation Maintenance Technology, Avionics, and specialized technical engineering tracks.
Beauty Industry Dominance
Empire Beauty Schools offers unmatched beauty education as the largest cosmetology network in America, providing real-world salon experience and connections to industry leaders including Regis Salons.
Technology Partnerships
Lincoln Tech maintains exceptional industry connections with major corporations including BMW, Audi, Johnson Controls, and Haas Automation, providing students direct pathways to employment with prestigious companies.
Financial Support & Career Services
Comprehensive Financial Aid
All institutions offer extensive financial assistance including Federal Pell Grants, loans, scholarships, and payment plans. Notable programs include:
- $3,000 book grants at Eastwick College
- $1,000 attendance scholarships at Empire Beauty Schools
- HoHoKus Scholarship Foundation nonprofit support
- $2 million in scholarships distributed by Lincoln Tech
Career Support Excellence
Every institution provides dedicated placement services with no additional fees, resume assistance, interview preparation, and ongoing alumni support. Many maintain direct employer partnerships for immediate job placement opportunities.
The Paterson area’s trade schools combine practical training, flexible scheduling, comprehensive support services, and strong industry connections to prepare students for successful careers across growing industries.