Best Trade Schools in Indiana (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Indiana is a hub for advanced manufacturing, construction, and healthcare, sectors that depend on a steady pipeline of skilled tradespeople. Whether you’re in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, or a rural part of the state, Indiana’s trade schools provide training that prepares you for in-demand roles; outcomes vary by location and job market.

From CDL training to HVAC, welding, and medical assisting, Indiana offers hands-on programs that build skills for long-term career stability and growth; employment is not guaranteed.

Best Trade Schools In Indiana

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 4 schools, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 4 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

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN In-state option BOC Score 49.2
Tuition $5,154 - $15,370
Contact
  • 50 W. Fall Creek Parkway N. Drive Indianapolis, IN 46208-5752
  • (317) 921-4800
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 38.5%
  • Programs offered: 147
  • Annual completions: 27303
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,369 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Vincennes University

Vincennes, IN In-state option BOC Score 48.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 36.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 78
  • Annual completions: 1509
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $54,333 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN In-state option BOC Score 38.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 55.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 14
  • Annual completions: 1173
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $51,742 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Fortis College-Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN In-state option BOC Score 25.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 37.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 6
  • Annual completions: 137
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $51,591 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best trade school in Indiana?

Ivy Tech is the state’s largest trade training network with excellent coverage in HVAC, welding, and healthcare. Lincoln Tech and Vincennes University also offer strong trade programs with good job outcomes.

Are Indiana community colleges considered trade schools?

Yes. Ivy Tech and Vincennes University are community colleges that offer trade-focused training and certifications with strong industry recognition.

What trades are in demand in Indiana in 2025?

According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and BLS:

  • HVAC Technicians
  • Electricians
  • Welders
  • Truck Drivers (CDL)
  • Medical Assistants
  • CNC Machinists
  • Construction Techs

Whether you’re just out of high school or ready for a career change, Indiana trade schools offer a clear, affordable path to success. Choose your program and start training today.

Trade Schools by City in Indiana

Compare accredited trade schools in 72 Indiana 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)