Best Trade Schools in Rochester, Minnesota (2026 Guide)

Here are the best schools in Rochester, MN. This guide covers accredited programs, apprenticeships, and Minnesota licensing basics[^1].

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Compare Trade Schools Near Rochester Mn, Minnesota

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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 1 school, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 1 of them carries a score.

LOCAL
RANK

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.

Median annual wage by trade in Rochester, MN

Trade	Median annual wage
Plumbers	$84,880
Electricians	$79,650
HVAC technicians	$77,500
Dental assistants	$63,450
Culinary workers	$62,520

Cost, Earnings, and Program Length in Rochester Mn

Among the Rochester, MN area’s most-employed trades (BLS QCEW 2024), median annual pay ranges from $62,520 to $84,880 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025); the chart above compares the five with the largest local workforces. Published tuition across the trade-relevant schools serving Rochester Mn ranges from $6,679 to $18,552 per year (IPEDS and College Scorecard); schools that do not publish a rate are marked “Contact school for pricing” in the table below. Typical culinary worker training runs 1-2 years (culinary school or apprenticeship) (TradeCareerPath program data).

Trade Schools in Nearby Cities

• Rochester, Minnesota - 0 miles
• Austin, Minnesota - 34 miles
• Owatonna, Minnesota - 38 miles
• Winona, Minnesota - 40 miles
• Faribault, Minnesota - 44 miles

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