Columbus Trade Schools

Academia Medical Institute

Academia Medical Institute offers Practical Nursing and LPN-to-RN Bridge programs that can be completed in 12 months through a hybrid format combining classroom, lab, and clinical training. Students benefit from flexible day, evening, and online class options designed to accommodate working adults.

Tuition is $18,050 for the PN program and $20,106 for the bridge program, excluding additional fees. The school is accredited by ABHES and maintains a competitive 41% acceptance rate. With only 133 undergraduate students, AMI emphasizes individual attention and career-focused education linked to local healthcare employers.

• 3445 South Blvd. Columbus, OH 43204

Advanced Technology Education

Advanced Technology Education Center provides online certificate programs in fields like Cybersecurity, Pharmacy Technician, and Java Development, with most programs taking less than four months to complete. Founded in 2019, the nonprofit serves immigrants and underserved communities with small class sizes and a strong 85% completion rate.

Tuition ranges from $600 to $14,500 depending on program length and complexity. Courses are fully online with flexible scheduling, making them ideal for working adults and parents. ATE partners with the City of Columbus and other institutions to support community-focused digital skills training.

• 2945 Donnylane Blvd, Columbus, OH 43235
• 6161 Busch Blvd, Ste 100 Columbus, OH 43229

Aveda Institutes

Rating: 4.5 of 5

Aveda Institute Columbus offers comprehensive cosmetology and esthiology programs designed to build both technical skill and creative confidence through hands-on, real-world training. Students benefit from expert instruction in areas like hair cutting, color, makeup, skincare, and business development, all grounded in Aveda’s holistic, science-based approach.

The campus is open for services and learning Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., providing flexible weekday and weekend schedules. Located on Bethel Road, the institute features a professional salon environment where students gain experience with real clients under close instructor supervision. Graduates are prepared for rewarding careers in beauty with a strong foundation in both technique and client care.

• 889 Bethel Rd Columbus, OH 43214

DeVry University

Rating: 2.8 of 5

DeVry University, a for-profit institution, is renowned for its focus on technology and innovation, offering undergraduate and graduate programs in Technology, Healthcare, Business, and Accounting. Located at the intersection of Easton Way and Stelzer Road in Columbus, DeVry provides a desirable corporate address within a growing business community. Students can enroll in various programs, available in on-campus, online, or hybrid formats, across more than 25 states, with new classes starting every 8 weeks. DeVry’s programs include certificates, associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees, with flexible schedules that accommodate day, night, and weekend classes. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, DeVry ensures a legitimate education experience, with specialized accreditations for its business and technology programs.

• 2 Easton Oval, Ste 210, Columbus, OH 43219

Hondros College of Nursing

Rating: 2.5 of 5

At the heart of Columbus, Ohio, stands the main campus of Hondros College of Nursing, a private, for-profit institution known for its commitment to nursing education. With an acceptance rate of 82%, this vocational college opens its doors wide to students eager to start a career in nursing.

At an average annual cost of $25,593, which factors in tuition, living expenses, and other essentials, minus the average grants and scholarships for those qualifying for federal financial aid, it presents a tangible path to a nursing career.

Offering flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend classes, Hondros caters to the diverse needs of its students, emphasizing convenience alongside quality education. The Practical Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), signifying that the standards of teaching and course structure meet national benchmarks.

Students pursuing an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) at Hondros are prepared to apply leadership and management principles as vital members of healthcare teams, ensuring quality patient care delivery.

For those in the Practical Nursing track, the college instills professionalism and ethical practice within the legal scope of nursing. These outcomes guarantee that graduates are not only ready to enter the workforce but also poised to succeed as competent nurses in the healthcare industry.

• 4140 Executive Parkway (Westerville) Columbus, OH 43081

IEC Central Ohio

Rating: 4.9 of 5

IEC Central Ohio offers a comprehensive electrical apprenticeship program combining hands-on training and classroom instruction for aspiring electricians. Established in 1948, it now trains over 650 apprentices each year and is one of the largest programs in the region. All instruction is conducted in person, with no online learning options due to the hands-on nature of the trade. The program is recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Apprenticeship & Training. Tuition is typically covered by employer partnerships or state programs, though students should inquire about additional fees or materials costs.

• 3128 E 17th Ave Columbus, OH 43219

Larock Healthcare Academy

Rating: 4.2 of 5

Larock Healthcare Academy delivers short-term certificate programs in fields like Medical Assisting, EKG/Cardiac Monitoring, and Medical Billing, with program lengths ranging from 2 weeks to 5 months. Students attend classes in person during day, evening, or weekend sessions and gain real-world experience through on-site clinical training and externships.

Tuition ranges from $1,265 to $3,665 depending on the program. With four campuses serving Ohio and northern Kentucky, Larock emphasizes small class sizes and instructor access. The school is licensed by the State of Ohio Board of Career Colleges and Schools and is backed by Beckfield College LLC.

• 2780 Airport Drive Suite 150 Columbus, OH 43219

MyComputerCareer

Rating: 4.4 of 5

MyComputerCareer’s Columbus campus provides IT certification training programs designed to launch careers in Ohio’s growing tech sector. The school offers vendor-neutral CompTIA certifications, Microsoft, Cisco, EC-Council Ethical Hacker, and CertNexus credentials that employers actively seek. Programs accommodate beginners with no IT experience and can be completed in as little as four months through flexible online or on-campus formats. The nationally accredited institution provides lifelong career services and job placement assistance to help graduates secure positions in Columbus’s expanding startup and corporate technology market.

• 2400 Corporate Exchange Dr, Suite 300 Columbus, OH 43231

Ohio Business College

Rating: 3.7 of 5

Ohio Business College delivers certificate and diploma programs in high-demand trades and healthcare fields, including Practical Nursing, HVAC/R, and Truck Driver Training. Students benefit from flexible day and evening class schedules and hands-on externships with local employers. Tuition is charged per credit hour and ranges from $235 to $260, depending on the program area. The college maintains small class sizes and serves about 184 students annually across its three campuses. Fully accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education, Ohio Business College accepts all qualified applicants.

• 1590 Alum Creek Drive Columbus, OH 43209

Paul Mitchell Schools

Rating: 4.5 of 5

Paul Mitchell The School Columbus opened in 2006 in a modern 12,000-square-foot campus near the Short North Arts District. It offers hands-on cosmetology, hair design, and esthetics programs where students practice on real clients under licensed stylists. Graduates can transfer up to 30 credit hours toward an Associate of Technical Studies degree at Kent State University. A dedicated Financial Aid Office and regular community-service events like cut-a-thons support students both financially and professionally.

• 3000 Morse Road Columbus, OH 43231

Roadmaster Drivers School

Rating: 4.5 of 5

Roadmasters Drivers School provides students with the skills and hands-on training they need to obtain a Class A commercial driver's license. The school partners with a variety of industries hiring new drivers with Class A licenses. Classroom locations are nationwide and the curriculum is between three and four weeks long. A truck driving education is both affordable and accessible to anyone looking for long time work that pays well.

• 4060 Perimeter Dr Columbus, OH 43228

The Electrical Trades Center

Rating: 3.2 of 5

The Electrical Trades Center trains future electricians and teledata technicians through registered apprenticeship programs, including Inside Wireman and Installer-Technician tracks. Students earn a paycheck while learning, gaining hands-on experience and receiving health and retirement benefits.

Classes are held on-site and combine technical instruction with real job-site training, with evening options available. There is no traditional tuition; instead, employer sponsors and the IBEW-NECA partnership fund the training. The center has operated since 1962 and is recognized for its industry-aligned, earn-while-you-learn model.

• 947 Goodale Boulevard Columbus, OH 43212

FORTIS College

Rating: 4.3 of 5

Fortis College’s Westerville, Ohio campus was formerly known as Bohecker College before integrating into the esteemed Fortis Colleges and Institutes network. Serving the central Ohio region and the greater metropolitan Columbus area, Fortis College Westerville is committed to providing career-focused education and training in nursing, medical, and healthcare fields to both traditional and nontraditional students.

At Fortis College Westerville, students in the Practical Nursing program embark on a journey to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) equipped with the hands-on skills and theoretical knowledge necessary for entry-level positions in practical nursing. Similarly, the nursing program offers an associate’s degree, preparing students to become registered nurses through a stimulating academic environment enriched with simulation technologies and dedicated instructors.

Due to the increasing demand for medical and imaging services, Fortis College Westerville offers programs like Medical Assisting with X-ray operations, Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Surgical Technologist, and Radiologic Technology. Students receive comprehensive training that combines classroom instruction, hands-on skill development, and experiential learning, preparing them for entry-level positions in their respective fields. Moreover, the HVAC/R Technician Training Program caters to the region’s climatic extremes, allowing students to become skilled HVAC technicians and installers. With Westerville experiencing long, humid summers and freezing, snowy winters, graduates find themselves in high demand, with employment opportunities available at nearby institutions like Otterbein University, JP Morgan Chase, and John Glenn International Airport. Fortis College’s Westerville branch graduates enter the workforce with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to excel in their chosen careers, contributing to the thriving healthcare and skilled trades industries in the Columbus

• 4151 Executive Pkwy., Suite 120 Westerville, OH 43081