Washington, D.C. offers a wide range of accredited trade and technical schools that prepare students for careers in healthcare, business, technology, and skilled trades. Whether you want a quick certificate or flexible programs designed for working adults, these schools make it possible to gain practical skills that lead to employment fast.
Best Trade Schools by Specialty
Healthcare
LAYC Career Academy – Offers free Medical Assistant training with classroom and externship experience. Ideal for disconnected youth ages 16–30 seeking entry-level healthcare jobs.
Four Walls Career and Technical Education Center – Provides adult training in HVAC and Electrical Wiring while also supporting healthcare literacy and job-readiness.
Strayer University – Accredited university offering online and on-campus degrees in Healthcare Administration and Public Health.
Business & Management
Thunderbird School of Global Management – Internationally recognized for global business education and leadership training in partnership with Arizona State University.
Strayer University – Well-known for affordable business programs, including Accounting, Marketing, Finance, and Human Resources.
Skilled Trades
Four Walls Career and Technical Education Center – Focuses on hands-on trades such as HVAC, Electrical Wiring, and Steam Engineering. Tuition is fully covered by local grants.
Bennett Career Institute – Offers career certificates in Cosmetology, Barber Styling, Esthetics, and Make-Up Artistry with real salon experience.
Dudley Beauty College – Provides hybrid beauty programs using Pivot Point LAB with options for day, evening, and part-time schedules.
Technology
LAYC Career Academy – Includes IT training pathways leading to recognized industry certifications.
Strayer University – Features programs in Computer Programming, Cybersecurity, Networking, and Software Development for career-ready tech skills.
List of Top DC Trade Schools
Bennett Career Institute
Bennett Career Institute is a private, family-owned beauty and barber school in Washington, DC, with campus-based certificate programs in cosmetology, barber styling, esthetics, instructor training and braiding, plus a short make-up course. Total program costs in the 2026-27 catalog run from $850 to $20,500. The school is accredited by NACCAS, which since October 2026 has had it on probation-equivalent monitoring for low placement rates.- 700 Monroe St NE Washington, DC 20017
- Cosmetology and Barbering
Dudley Beauty College
Dudley Beauty College is a private beauty school in Washington, DC, founded in 1989, with diplomas in Cosmetology (1,500 hours), Nail Technology (350 hours) and Instructor Training (1,000 hours), each matching the hours DC requires for that licence. It does not take federal student aid; students pay through in-house plans, Affirm or Wurthy. The school lists Cosmetology at $19,785 and Nail Technology at $4,840 (October 2026).- 2031 Rhode Island Ave NE Washington, DC 20018
- Cosmetology and Barbering
LAYC Career Academy
LAYC Career Academy is a free public charter school in Washington, DC for DC residents aged 16 to 30, overseen by the DC Public Charter School Board. Its two career programs require a high school diploma or GED: an 880-hour Medical Assistant program with a 160-hour externship that prepares students for the CCMA exam, and an IT pathway, taught in class or self-paced, in which students must pass IC3 and CompTIA A+ to graduate.- 750 1st Street NE, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20002
- Medical Assisting, Computer and Information Technology
Strayer University
Washington, DC is home to Strayer's main campus, which moved to 901 15th Street NW in April 2026 and is open weekdays. It is the only place Strayer teaches its Licensed Practical Nurse diploma, a 49-credit program leading to the NCLEX-PN at $290 per credit (2026–27). The first 30 DC residents admitted to the July 2026 quarter could have LPN tuition capped at $5,250. Other degrees are online.- 901 15th St NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20005
- Business, Computer and Information Technology, Criminal Justice and Law, Healthcare Administration, Healthcare and Nursing
The Salon Professional Academy (TSPA)
The Salon Professional Academy in Washington, DC is a for-profit beauty school in the TSPA franchise network that trains for DC cosmetology, esthetician, master esthetician, nail and instructor licences in certificate programs of 350 to 1,500 clock hours. Training is on campus, with practice on clients in a public student salon and spa. It is NACCAS-accredited and takes federal aid; tuition and fees on its February 2026 cost sheet run from $4,600 to $23,000.- 90 K St NE, Suite 103 Washington, DC 20002
- Cosmetology and Barbering
Thunderbird School of Global Management
In Washington, DC, Thunderbird teaches at the ASU Barrett & O'Connor Washington Center on I Street NW, a building it shares with other ASU units. The degree taught here is the Executive Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management, a 12-month, 30-credit program that combines in-person weekends with online study. Some short executive-education sessions also meet in DC. All other Thunderbird degrees are taught in Phoenix or online.- 1800 I Street NW Washington, DC 20006
- Business
Average Cost and Duration
| School | Average Cost | Duration | Tuition Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bennett Career Institute | $730 – $19,000 | 6 weeks to 18 months | Varies by program; salon-based training |
| Dudley Beauty College | $3,500 – $17,000 | 350 to 1,500 hours | Full-time, part-time, and evening options |
| Four Walls CTEC | Free tuition | Varies | Funded by D.C. OSSE grants |
| LAYC Career Academy | Free tuition | 1–3 years | For eligible ages 16–30 |
| The Salon Professional Academy | Varies (via net price calculator) | 350–1,500 hours | Exact pricing shared in admissions |
| Strayer University | $1,525 per undergraduate course | Flexible | Online and campus support; scholarships available |
| Thunderbird | ≈ $40,000+/year (varies by program) | Degree-level | AACSB-aligned global business education |
Students seeking the lowest cost often choose Four Walls CTEC or LAYC Career Academy, which are tuition-free for qualifying D.C. residents, while those prioritizing speed often pick short options like Make-Up Artistry at Bennett Career Institute or Nail Technology at Dudley Beauty College.
Most certificates and diplomas finish in six to eighteen months depending on schedule.
Quick Entry Programs for Immediate Career Launch
Several D.C. trade schools help students start working fast through short-term, hands-on programs:
Bennett Career Institute: Offers 6-week Make-Up Artistry and 12- to 18-month Cosmetology and Barbering programs.
Dudley Beauty College: Nail Technology certificate (350 hours) prepares graduates for immediate salon work.
Four Walls CTEC: Provides rapid entry into HVAC, electrical, and building maintenance roles.
LAYC Career Academy: Combines Medical Assistant certification with externship placement to move learners directly into healthcare jobs.
Flexible Learning Options for Working Adults
For students balancing work or family responsibilities, several schools offer hybrid, evening, or online formats:
Dudley Beauty College: Hybrid study through Pivot Point LAB, with evening sessions Monday–Thursday.
Bennett Career Institute: Part-time day and evening classes for barbering, esthetics, and cosmetology.
Strayer University: 100% online courses plus campus access; popular among working adults and military students.
Thunderbird School of Global Management: Offers self-paced online programs and global hybrid options through its 100 Million Learners initiative.
Most Popular Programs in Washington, D.C.
- Cosmetology and Barber Styling (Bennett Career Institute, Dudley Beauty College, The Salon Professional Academy)
- Medical Assistant (LAYC Career Academy)
- HVAC and Electrical Wiring (Four Walls CTEC)
- Business and Organizational Leadership (Strayer University, Thunderbird School of Global Management)
- Cybersecurity and Software Development (Strayer University)
Key Takeaways
- Average cost: $730–$19,000 (many free programs available).
- Typical program length: 6–18 months.
- Most affordable options: LAYC Career Academy and Four Walls CTEC (tuition-free).
- Fastest completion: Bennett Career Institute’s 6-week Make-Up Artistry certificate.
- Best online flexibility: Strayer University and Thunderbird School of Global Management.
- Strongest hands-on training: Bennett Career Institute, Dudley Beauty College, and The Salon Professional Academy.
States Nearby
For more options take a look at trade schools in Maryland and Virginia.