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Best Trade Schools in Kansas City, Kansas (2025 Guide)
Updated October 21, 2025 | Brad Fishbein
Here are some of the best schools in Kansas City. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, pick a trade, and understand Kansas licensing. Kansas City has strong employer demand plus several respected training options nearby.
Trade schools offer specialized training for in-demand careers that can provide greater career stability. Below are some of the most popular vocational offerings:
Trade Schools in Kansas City
We found 14 trade schools within roughly 25 miles of Kansas City. Use this list to compare locations, program areas, and travel time before you apply.
| School | Location | Distance | Program Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City Kansas Community College | Kansas City, KS | 0.2 miles | Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians. Graphic Communications. Computer Software and Media Applications. … |
| Donnelly College | Kansas City, KS | 5.1 miles | Computer and Information Sciences, General. Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. … |
| Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 9.1 miles | Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services. Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. Computer and Information Sciences, General. … |
| Ea La Mar's Cosmetology & Barber College | Kansas City, MO | 10.5 miles | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. |
| House of Heavilin Beauty College-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 11.5 miles | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. |
| Mitsu Sato Hair Academy | Overland Park, KS | 11.7 miles | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Overland Park | Overland Park, KS | 12.0 miles | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. |
| Pinnacle Career Institute | Kansas City, MO | 12.7 miles | Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. Health and Physical Education/Fitness. … |
| WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 13.4 miles | Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. Health and Physical Education/Fitness. Health-Related Knowledge and Skills. … |
| Johnson County Community College | Overland Park, KS | 13.8 miles | Agricultural Production Operations. Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services. Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. … |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 14.1 miles | Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. |
| Concorde Career College-Kansas City | Kansas City, MO | 15.0 miles | Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. Health and Medical Administrative Services. Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. … |
| Summit Salon Academy Kansas City | Independence, MO | 17.3 miles | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. |
| Z Hair Academy | Overland Park, KS | 18.2 miles | Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. |
What to Look For in Kansas City
- Confirm the campus holds recognized accreditation and that your program is eligible for federal or state aid.
- Ask about hands-on lab time, externships, and job placement rates for graduates working in Kansas.
- Compare tuition, fees, and tool costs up front. Many schools offer workforce grants, GI Bill benefits, or employer sponsorships.
- Balance your schedule. Evening, weekend, hybrid, or accelerated cohorts are common in the Kansas City area.
Licensing & Credentials in Kansas
- Licensing rules differ by trade. Review requirements with the Kansas licensing board before you enroll.
- Track supervised hours from co-ops or apprenticeships so they count toward licensing or certification.
- Many careers require industry credentials (for example, EPA 608, AWS, NCCER, or state cosmetology exams). Ask how each program prepares you for testing.
Next Steps
- Review additional guidance on the state trade school hub.
- Explore individual career paths in the Trades Library, including Electrician, HVAC, Plumbing, and Welding.
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Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.
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