Best Trade Schools in Maryland (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Maryland’s trade economy is powered by its construction, healthcare, and transportation sectors. Whether you’re in Baltimore, Silver Spring, Salisbury, or Western Maryland, accredited trade schools across the state offer affordable training that prepares you for in-demand roles; outcomes vary by location and job market.

From CDL training to welding, HVAC, and medical programs, Maryland’s technical colleges and career institutes are preparing students for high-demand roles statewide.

Best Trade Schools In Maryland

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

This page lists 10 schools, ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 10 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.

#2

Carroll Community College

Westminster, MD In-state option BOC Score 72.5
Tuition $4,308 in-state / $10,158 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 38.7%
  • Programs offered: 13
  • Annual completions: 121
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $54,507 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Frederick Community College

Frederick, MD In-state option BOC Score 71.1
Tuition $3,849 in-state / $10,042 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 37.4%
  • Programs offered: 46
  • Annual completions: 213
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $54,058 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

North American Trade Schools

Baltimore, MD In-state option BOC Score 63.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 69.2%
  • Programs offered: 7
  • Annual completions: 478
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,948 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Anne Arundel Community College

Arnold, MD In-state option BOC Score 63.3
Tuition $4,322 in-state / $11,522 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 31.4%
  • Programs offered: 41
  • Annual completions: 833
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,889 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Hagerstown Community College

Hagerstown, MD In-state option BOC Score 62.1
Tuition $4,320 in-state / $8,190 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 39.0%
  • Programs offered: 27
  • Annual completions: 241
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,827 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Harford Community College

Bel Air, MD In-state option BOC Score 60.9
Tuition $4,032 in-state / $8,832 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 39.3%
  • Programs offered: 15
  • Annual completions: 162
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,443 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Montgomery College

Rockville, MD In-state option BOC Score 59.0
Tuition $5,394 in-state / $14,250 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 32.4%
  • Programs offered: 40
  • Annual completions: 591
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,199 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Aveda Institute-Maryland

Bel Air, MD In-state option BOC Score 56.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 96.5%
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 103
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $25,463 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

College of Southern Maryland

La Plata, MD In-state option BOC Score 53.7
Tuition $4,200 in-state / $10,050 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 33.0%
  • Programs offered: 22
  • Annual completions: 325
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $58,851 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best trade school in Maryland?

Lincoln Tech and North American Trade Schools are excellent for HVAC, welding, and medical careers. CCBC offers affordable, accredited programs with strong employer partnerships.

Are Maryland community colleges considered trade schools?

Yes. Colleges like CCBC, Frederick Community College, and Hagerstown CC offer job-ready training in high-demand fields.

What trades are in demand in Maryland in 2025?

According to the Maryland Department of Labor and BLS:

  • HVAC Technicians
  • Welders
  • CDL Truck Drivers
  • Medical Assistants
  • Electricians
  • Plumbers
  • Dental Assistants

If you’re looking to start a high-demand career fast, Maryland trade schools offer the training and connections to help you succeed. Choose your path and get started today.

Trade Schools by City in Maryland

Compare accredited trade schools in 27 Maryland 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)