Best Trade Schools in Idaho (2026)

Idaho’s growing industries, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare, rely on skilled tradespeople. From Boise to Twin Falls, trade schools across Idaho offer fast, affordable training designed to prepare students for in-demand fields; timelines and outcomes vary by location and job market.

Most programs take less than two years and include hands-on experience, certifications, and apprenticeship opportunities.


Best Trade Schools In Idaho

How We Rank Schools

We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%

Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

College of Southern Idaho

Twin Falls, ID In-state option BOC Score 68.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 34.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 64
  • Annual completions: 860
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $46,129 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Idaho State University

Pocatello, ID In-state option BOC Score 52.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 38.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 78
  • Annual completions: 1123
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $58,142 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

College of Western Idaho

Nampa, ID In-state option BOC Score 50.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 28.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 44
  • Annual completions: 1034
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,903 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

North Idaho College

Coeur d'Alene, ID In-state option BOC Score 46.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 36.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 79
  • Annual completions: 525
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,312 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Lewis-Clark State College

Lewiston, ID In-state option BOC Score 42.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 42.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 50
  • Annual completions: 238
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $58,274 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard


Primary Idaho Trade School Cities

Boise · Meridian · Nampa · Idaho Falls · Pocatello · Twin Falls · Coeur d’Alene · Caldwell · Post Falls · Rexburg · Moscow · Lewiston

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best trade school in Idaho?

Idaho State University’s College of Technology in Pocatello is highly respected for diesel, welding, and HVAC programs. CWI in Nampa and NIC Workforce Training Center in Post Falls are also excellent options for skilled trades.

Are Idaho community colleges considered trade schools?

Yes. Colleges like CWI, CSI, and NIC offer accredited, career-focused training that prepares students for licensing and entry into the trades workforce.

What trades are in demand in Idaho in 2025?

HVAC, welding, electrical, diesel tech, plumbing, and CDL driving are among the most in-demand skilled trades in Idaho.

What trades are in demand in Idaho in 2025?

According to the Idaho Department of Labor:

  • HVAC Technicians
  • Electricians
  • Plumbers
  • Welders
  • Diesel Technicians
  • CDL Drivers
  • Medical Assistants

Idaho’s trade schools are building the next generation of essential workers. Whether you’re fixing diesel engines, wiring homes, or installing HVAC systems, hands-on training can fast-track your path to a secure, high-paying job.


Trade Schools by City in Idaho

Compare accredited trade schools in 32 Idaho cities. Each city page lists the closest local schools with tuition, median graduate earnings, and the trades hiring nearby.


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)