Best Trade Schools in Delaware (2026)

Delaware needs skilled workers in construction, healthcare, logistics, and building services. Trade schools help you learn real skills fast so you can pursue in-demand roles. Whether you live in Wilmington, Dover, or Sussex County, you can find accredited programs that fit your schedule and budget.

Many Delaware programs work directly with local employers and apprenticeships to connect students with opportunities; timelines and outcomes vary by location and job market.


Best Trade Schools in Delaware

We could not confirm enough colleges teaching this subject within range of this location, so the list below shows nearby institutions instead. Confirm with each school that it offers the program before you apply.

How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention. Advertising plays no part.

This page lists 5 schools, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 5 of them carry a score.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%

Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal about the institution rather than about this subject. Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.

#1

Polytech Adult Education

Woodside, DE In-state option BOC Score 60.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 73.5% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 38
  • Annual completions: 1786
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $54,607 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Delaware Learning Institute of Cosmetology

Dagsboro, DE In-state option BOC Score 55.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 89.9% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 7
  • Annual completions: 147
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $33,952 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Dawn Career Institute LLC

Newark, DE In-state option BOC Score 52.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 15
  • Annual completions: 764
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $32,884 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Trade Schools by City in Delaware

Compare accredited trade schools in 10 Delaware cities. Each city page lists the closest local schools with tuition, median graduate earnings, and the trades hiring nearby.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best trade school in Delaware?

Delaware Tech (DTCC) is the go-to option statewide for HVAC, electrical, welding, and health programs. POLYTECH Adult Education and Sussex Tech Adult Education also offer strong hands-on training.

Are Delaware community colleges considered trade schools?

Yes. DTCC offers accredited, career-focused programs that function like a trade school, often with employer partnerships and job placement support.

What trades are in demand in Delaware in 2025?

Employers are hiring electricians, HVAC techs, welders, plumbers, CDL drivers, medical assistants, CNAs, and phlebotomists across the state.


Delaware’s trade programs offer practical training, recognized credentials, and direct ties to local employers. Pick a program that matches your goals, get certified, and step into a reliable career.



About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)