San Antonio’s trade schools offer exceptional value and career outcomes in one of Texas’s most vibrant economic regions. Whether you choose quick certification programs, comprehensive degree programs, or specialized industry training, San Antonio provides quality career education to match every budget, timeline, and career aspiration.
Average Tuition Costs by Institution
Most Affordable Options:
- Champions School of Real Estate: $120-$2,000 per course
- Southern Careers Institute: $1,200-$22,100 total program cost
- Strayer University: $6,100 for Associate’s degree (minimum)
Mid-Range Pricing:
- Roadmaster Drivers School: $7,000 for CDL training
- Aveda Institutes: $9,966-$16,716 depending on program
- Paul Mitchell Schools: $14,200 plus $3,165 for supplies
- Milan Institute: $15,500 average annual cost
Higher-End Programs:
- Concorde Career College: $17,500-$67,000 full program
- South Texas Vocational Technical Institute: $18,976 average annual cost
- Pima Medical Institute: $17,305-$25,549 annual tuition
Cheapest Trade Schools in San Antonio
- Champions School of Real Estate – $120-$2,000 per course
- Southern Careers Institute – Certificate programs starting at $1,200
- Strayer University – $6,100 total for Associate’s degree with potential savings
- Roadmaster Drivers School – $7,000 for complete CDL training
Top Trade Schools in San Antonio by Specialty
Healthcare Training
- Concorde Career College – ACCSC accredited with programs completing in as little as 8 months
- Pima Medical Institute – ABHES accredited with externship opportunities and expedited degree pathways
- The College of Health Care Professions – Specialized healthcare focus with partnerships for on-site learning
- Milan Institute – COE and NACCAS accredited with career advising support
Beauty and Personal Care
- Aveda Institutes – NACCAS accredited with 80% externship-to-job conversion rate
- Paul Mitchell Schools – Access to 100,000+ salons worldwide with comprehensive career support
- Milan Institute – Family-owned institution with personalized career guidance
Skilled Trades and Technical Programs
- Southern Careers Institute – COE accredited with welding, HVAC, automotive, and CDL programs
- South Texas Vocational Technical Institute – ACCSC accredited with comprehensive skilled trades offerings
- Roadmaster Drivers School – Specialized CDL training with job placement services
Business and Technology
- Strayer University – MSCHE accredited with cybersecurity, business administration, and computer programming
- ECPI University – SACSCOC accredited with accelerated programs and hands-on learning
Real Estate and Professional Services
- Champions School of Real Estate – BBB accredited with National Association of REALTORS® credentials
Average Program Duration and Costs
Shortest Programs (4 weeks – 8 months):
- CDL Training: 4-5 weeks
- Real Estate Licensing: 4-8 weeks
- Medical Assistant: 8 months
- Dental Assistant: 8-12 months
Medium-Length Programs (8-18 months):
- Cosmetology: 9-15 months
- Welding: 12-18 months
- HVAC Technology: 12-18 months
- LVN/Practical Nursing: 12-18 months
Longer Programs (18-24+ months):
- Associate Degree Nursing: 24 months
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography: 24 months
- Surgical Technology: 18-24 months
Quick Entry Programs for Immediate Career Launch
San Antonio trade schools offer several fast-track programs for students seeking immediate career entry:
Ultra-Fast Programs (4-8 weeks):
- Roadmaster Drivers School CDL Training: 4-5 weeks, Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM-5:30 PM
- Champions School of Real Estate Real Estate Agent License: 4-8 weeks with flexible delivery options
Quick-Start Healthcare Programs (8-12 months):
- Concorde Career College Medical Assistant: As little as 8 months with blended learning
- Pima Medical Institute Various healthcare certificates: 8-12 months with expedited pathways
- Milan Institute Medical and Dental Assistant programs: 8-12 months
Beauty and Wellness Fast Track:
- Aveda Institutes Esthetics Program: Shortest beauty program at 9-12 months
- Paul Mitchell Schools Nail Care programs: Quick entry into beauty industry
Flexible Learning Options for Working Adults
San Antonio trade schools recognize the needs of working adults and offer extensive flexibility:
Multiple Schedule Options:
- Champions School of Real Estate – Day, night, weekend, virtual classroom, correspondence, and online interactive formats
- Southern Careers Institute – Day and evening classes, plus 24/7 online options
- South Texas Vocational Technical Institute – New classes each month with day and evening options
Hybrid and Online Learning:
- Strayer University – Complete online programs with campus access available, 24/7 technical support
- ECPI University – Day, evening, weekend, and online classes with accelerated 5-week courses
- Concorde Career College – Blended education combining online coursework with in-person labs
Extended Campus Hours:
- Southern Careers Institute – 8 AM-8 PM Monday-Thursday, 8 AM-5 PM Friday, 9 AM-1 PM Saturday
- ECPI University – 8:30 AM-10:30 PM Monday-Thursday, accommodating various work schedules
- The College of Health Care Professions – 9 AM-7 PM Monday-Thursday with evening classes available
List of All Trade Schools in the City
Aveda Institutes
Aveda Arts San Antonio, at Encino Commons, teaches cosmetology in 1,000- and 1,500-hour versions and a 750-hour esthetician program. It is one of five Texas schools run by Aveda Arts & Sciences Institutes and lists no instructor program.
- 21003 Encino Commons San Antonio, TX 78259
Champions School of Real Estate
The Champions School of Real Estate® San Antonio Campus, established in December 2006, has been a dedicated hub for aspiring and established real estate professionals in the region. Whether you’re advancing or starting a career in real estate sales/brokerage, mortgage loan origination, home inspection, or appraisal, this campus provides a wide range of Qualifying Education (QE) and Continuing Education (CE) classes tailored to support your career aspirations.
- 3010 N Loop 1604 W, Suite 202 San Antonio, TX 78231
Concorde Career College
Concorde’s San Antonio campus teaches diagnostic and cardiovascular sonography, radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, surgical technology, physical therapist assistant, dental hygiene and assisting, phlebotomy, sterile processing and medical assisting. ACCSC named it a School of Excellence for 2022–23, and Career Colleges and Schools of Texas named it School of the Year in 2024, when Concorde said all its programs exceeded 80% job placement.
- 4803 NW Loop 410, Suite 200 San Antonio, TX 78229
ECPI University
ECPI’s San Antonio campus, on Fredericksburg Road, is its only Texas campus. It teaches the full IT lineup, electronics engineering technology and mechatronics, and one nursing program, the ADN. All six of its first-time NCLEX-RN takers passed in 2024, according to a Texas Board of Nursing report. ECPI’s 2024 catalog listed medical assisting at San Antonio, but the current campus page does not, so ask before applying.
- 4715 Fredericksburg Rd San Antonio, TX 78229
Lamson Institute
Lamson’s only campus is in Exchange Plaza at NW Loop 410 and Bandera Road, in about 55,000 square feet. Every current program is taught here in person: Medical Assistant; Lab Assistant, EKG Technician/Phlebotomist; Dental Assisting; Electrical Technician; HVAC; and Personal Fitness Trainer. Vocational Nursing is still in the catalog but is not enrolling new students. Classes meet Monday to Thursday, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm or 5:45 to 10:45 pm, and Medical Assistant students finish with an externship at a San Antonio-area facility.
- 5819 N.W. Loop 410, Suite 160 San Antonio, TX 78238
Milan Institute
Milan Institute’s Ingram Road campus is the COE-accredited one of its two San Antonio schools, and the only one that teaches Massage Therapy. Its other programs are Cosmetology, Advanced Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetician, Advanced Esthetician and Manicurist. The campus page says VA education benefits can be used here for barbering, cosmetology, esthetician and nail programs.
Milan Institute of Cosmetology’s South San Antonio campus on Southwest Military Drive opened in October 2006 and covers 12,500 sq ft. It is a NACCAS-accredited additional location, not a COE campus. It teaches Cosmetology, Advanced Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetician, Advanced Esthetician (TX) and Manicurist; eyelash extensions are now one of the elective modules in Advanced Cosmetology rather than a separate program.
- 6804 Ingram Road San Antonio, TX 78238
- 605 Southwest Military Drive San Antonio, TX 78221
Ogle School
The Ogle School San Antonio campus provides accredited Cosmetology and Esthetics programs with flexible full-time and part-time scheduling options to accommodate various lifestyles.
The Cosmetology Program can be completed in 7 months full-time or 13 months part-time, while the Esthetics Program is completed in just 5 months full-time or 10 months part-time. Both programs offer classes in morning and evening options throughout the week, ensuring that weekends remain free for students.
The school utilizes a salon-modeled, hands-on training approach, supported by the digital learning platform Elevate and business training via the Prosper U program. Graduates are prepared for state licensure and a range of beauty careers, from hairstyling to salon management.
- 742 N.W. Loop 410, Suite 226 San Antonio, TX 78216
Paul Mitchell Schools
Paul Mitchell The School San Antonio, on US Highway 281 North, teaches cosmetology, esthetics and manicure there and runs its barbering program at a second site, 1723 N. Loop 1604 E, Suite 113. It is operated by Turnage Beauty Institute, LLC, which also runs the Arlington and Dallas schools.
- 18402 US Highway 281, Suite 124 San Antonio, TX 78259
Pima Medical Institute
PMI’s San Antonio campus had opened by 2022 and teaches dental assistant, medical assistant, pharmacy technician, phlebotomy and veterinary assistant certificates and associate degrees in dental hygiene, sonography, radiography and veterinary technician. Its dental hygiene program had received CODA initial accreditation by September 2026 and runs about 18 months; sonography is CAAHEP accredited and radiography holds a five-year JRCERT award. Respiratory therapy and nursing, named in older descriptions of this campus, are not taught here.
- 6550 First Park Ten Blvd San Antonio, TX 78213
Roadmaster Drivers School
Roadmaster’s San Antonio location has been open since September 2002, making it the school’s oldest in Texas; it moved there from S.W.W. White Road. It is approved by the Texas Workforce Commission, according to the school, and teaches the full-time Class A CDL course.
- 927 Eddie Rd San Antonio, TX 78219
Sage Truck Driving School
SAGE’s San Antonio location is at St. Philip’s College Southwest Campus on Dunton Street, where the Alamo Colleges list SAGE as their CDL training partner. It offers Class A and Class B training and is the only Texas location approved for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.
- 204 Dunton Street San Antonio, TX 78226
South Texas Vocational Technical Institute
San Antonio teaches trades only: Automotive Service Technician, CDL Class A, Combination Welding, Diesel Heavy Truck Technician and HVAC and Basic Refrigeration. It is the only campus with diesel starts in STVT’s 2025 ACCSC report. An extension building on South Flores Street and a CDL range on SW Loop 410 support the campus. ACCSC renewed its accreditation for five years from June 2025. Of its 2022 first-time, full-time cohort, 72% graduated within 150% of normal time, the lowest of the six campuses.
- 734 SE Military Dr. San Antonio, TX 78214
Southern Careers Institute
San Antonio North, on NW Loop 410, is SCI’s trades campus in the city: it teaches CDL-A, Welding, HVAC and Electrical Technician, plus Medical Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding and the AAS in Management. It runs the online Cyber Security, Data Science and Software Developer diplomas. Pharmacy Technician is not on its program list, and CDL-B, Nurse Aide, Business Accounting Specialist and Business Administration are not currently enrolling here.
San Antonio South, on Southwest Military Drive, teaches health, business and beauty programs but no trades: Medical Assistant, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Nurse Aide, Cosmetology Operator, Business Accounting Specialist, Business Administration and the AAS in Management. It is the only SCI campus enrolling students in Medical Office Specialist. On Niche it is SCI’s most-reviewed campus, rated 3.84 out of 5 from 63 reviews (October 2026).
- 6963 NW Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78238
- 238 Southwest Military Dr., Suite 101 San Antonio, TX 78221
Texas State Technical College
TSTC’s New Braunfels campus is the TSTC & FAME Center on FM 758, one of the college’s 11 campuses. Program pages place two programs here: Building Construction, with its Building Construction Technology, Craftsman and Commercial Construction Management plans, and Welding, which is taught at every TSTC campus.
- 2189 FM 758 New Braunfels, TX 78130
The College of Health Care Professions
CHCP San Antonio North is one of two campuses for Vocational Nursing and LVN-to-ADN nursing. It also offers Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Surgical Technology degrees, Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist, Medical Assistant and Medical Billing & Coding.
CHCP San Antonio South offers Dental Assistant, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing & Coding and Pharmacy Technician certificates, plus the Health & Medical Administrative Services associate degree, along with an IV sterile compounding seminar.
- 4400 NW Loop 410, Suite 400 San Antonio, TX 78229
- 1964 SW Military Dr San Antonio, TX 78221
Universal Technical Institute
UTI San Antonio opened in spring 2026 as the company’s first campus devoted only to skilled trades rather than vehicles. It teaches Aviation (Airframe & Powerplant), HVACR, Welding, Electrical & Electronics, Industrial Maintenance, Robotics and Wind Turbine programs, with start dates scheduled every few weeks.
- 5776 Stemmons Dr San Antonio, TX 78238
Admission Requirements and Acceptance Rates
Most San Antonio trade schools maintain 100% acceptance rates, ensuring accessible career training for qualified students:
- Aveda Institutes: 100% acceptance rate
- Southern Careers Institute: 100% acceptance rate
- Strayer University: 100% acceptance rate
- ECPI University: 100% acceptance rate
- Milan Institute: 100% acceptance rate
Basic Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- Completed application
- Some healthcare programs require background checks
- CDL programs may require DOT physical examination
- Age requirements vary by program (typically 18+)
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Federal Financial Aid is available at accredited institutions including Strayer University, Concorde Career College, and Pima Medical Institute.
Unique Savings Opportunities:
- Strayer University – 1 free course for every 3 completed, up to 25% tuition reduction
- Milan Institute – Zero percent financing options for qualified students
- The College of Health Care Professions – Institutional grants and scholarships up to 30% of tuition
Military Benefits are accepted at most schools, with dedicated veteran services available at Strayer University, Concorde Career College, and The College of Health Care Professions.
Career Placement and Job Outlook
San Antonio trade schools emphasize strong employment outcomes:
- Aveda Institutes – 80% of externships lead to job offers
- Paul Mitchell Schools – Access to 100,000+ Paul Mitchell salons worldwide
- Roadmaster Drivers School – Job placement services with trucking company partnerships offering up to 100% tuition reimbursement
- Southern Careers Institute – SCI Connect portal directly linking students with employer partners
San Antonio’s diverse economy supports excellent employment opportunities across healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, hospitality, and service industries.
Choosing the Right San Antonio Trade School
Consider these factors when selecting your trade school:
- Program Duration vs. Career Goals – Match timeline to your urgency and career objectives
- Total Cost Analysis – Compare tuition, fees, supplies, and potential earnings
- Industry Demand – Research San Antonio job market for your chosen field
- Accreditation and Licensing – Ensure programs meet state and industry requirements
- Schedule Flexibility – Balance education with current work/family obligations
- Job Placement Support – Evaluate career services and employer partnerships
- Location and Transportation – Consider commute and campus accessibility
Program-Specific Recommendations
For Quickest Career Entry: Roadmaster Drivers School (4-5 weeks) or Champions School of Real Estate (4-8 weeks)
For Maximum Affordability: Champions School of Real Estate or Southern Careers Institute certificate programs
For Healthcare Careers: Concorde Career College or Pima Medical Institute with strong job placement rates
For Beauty Industry Careers: Aveda Institutes or Paul Mitchell Schools with excellent industry connections
For Working Adults: Strayer University or ECPI University with comprehensive online and flexible scheduling options