Best Trade Schools in Michigan (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Michigan’s skilled trade economy is powered by its automotive, construction, and healthcare industries. From Detroit and Grand Rapids to Flint, Lansing, and rural towns, Michigan’s trade schools offer fast, affordable training that prepares you for in-demand careers; employment outcomes vary by location and job market.

Whether you’re entering the workforce or changing careers, Michigan’s vocational programs provide the tools you need to get skilled and job-ready fast; hiring outcomes vary by location and job market.

Best Trade Schools In Michigan

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.

#4

Gogebic Community College

Ironwood, MI In-state option BOC Score 61.7
Tuition $4,800 in-state / $7,530 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 35.6%
  • Programs offered: 21
  • Annual completions: 80
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $51,213 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

M J Murphy Beauty College of Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant, MI In-state option BOC Score 60.8
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 92.9%
  • Programs offered: 3
  • Annual completions: 37
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $17,566 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Alpena Community College

Alpena, MI In-state option BOC Score 59.9
Tuition $5,250 in-state / $8,010 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 51.5%
  • Programs offered: 31
  • Annual completions: 186
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $44,378 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Northwestern Michigan College

Traverse City, MI In-state option BOC Score 59.8
Tuition $5,860 in-state / $13,476 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 24.8%
  • Programs offered: 30
  • Annual completions: 130
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $58,811 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Paul Mitchell the School-Michigan

Sterling Heights, MI In-state option BOC Score 58.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 80.5%
  • Programs offered: 2
  • Annual completions: 112
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $31,116 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

French Academy of Cosmetology

Spring Lake, MI In-state option BOC Score 57.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 75.0%
  • Programs offered: 4
  • Annual completions: 52
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $27,237 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Carnegie Institute

Troy, MI In-state option BOC Score 57.7
Tuition $15,645
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 50.0%
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 24
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,729 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best trade school in Michigan?

Dorsey College and MIAT College of Technology offer hands-on training in high-growth trades. GRCC and Lansing Community College provide affordable programs with strong job placement.

Are Michigan community colleges considered trade schools?

Yes. Michigan community colleges offer skilled trade certifications, associate degrees, and workforce training that qualify as trade education.

What trades are in demand in Michigan in 2025?

According to the Michigan Department of Labor and BLS:

  • HVAC Technicians
  • Welders
  • CDL Truck Drivers
  • Medical Assistants
  • Electricians
  • CNC Machinists
  • Automotive Technicians

If you’re ready to jumpstart a hands-on career, Michigan trade schools offer the affordable, job-ready training you need. Explore your options and apply today.

Trade Schools by City in Michigan

Compare accredited trade schools in 104 Michigan 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)