Best Trade Schools in Oxford, Mississippi (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

Table of Contents
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Here are the best schools in Oxford. This page lists accredited options, what they offer, and how to get licensed in Mississippi. You’ll also see which skilled trades are in demand and where to train nearby. Use this to plan a fast, affordable path into a good job in 2025.

Top Trade Schools in Oxford

The schools below are accredited or state-approved. Program lengths are typical; check each school for current start dates and schedules12.

School Program Length Highlights
Northwest Mississippi Community College – Lafayette-Yalobusha Technical Center (Oxford) 9–12 months (Certificate); 2 years (AAS) Regionally accredited. Career-technical programs and labs in Oxford. Options across areas like industrial technology, automotive service, health sciences, and emergency services. Good transfer and evening options.1
Northwest Mississippi Community College – Yalobusha County Center (Water Valley) 9–12 months (Certificate); 2 years (AAS) Regionally accredited center near Oxford serving Yalobusha/Lafayette counties. Hands-on training in trades such as welding, industrial maintenance, and health-related programs.1
Delta Technical College – Horn Lake Short-term and 9–12 month diplomas ACCSC-accredited career school. HVAC/R, Welding, Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, and Professional Truck Driving. Day and evening classes; strong skills labs.2
Itawamba Community College – Tupelo 9–12 months (Certificate); 2 years (AAS) Regionally accredited. Programs in HVAC, Welding, Precision Manufacturing/Mechatronics, Automotive, Practical Nursing. Modern training labs and employer partnerships.1
Holmes Community College – Grenada Center 9–12 months (Certificate); 2 years (AAS) Regionally accredited. Practical Nursing, Industrial Technology, Welding, and health tech options. Multiple schedule paths for working adults.1
Coahoma Community College – Clarksdale 9–12 months (Certificate); 2 years (AAS) Regionally accredited. Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Welding, Electrical, Truck Driving (CDL), and healthcare support programs.1
Oxford Academy of Cosmetology – Oxford 6–12 months typical State-licensed cosmetology school in Oxford. Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Nail Technology. Prepares graduates for Mississippi licensure exams. Check current licensing pass rates and schedules with the school.

Tip: Visit each campus. Ask about hands-on hours, certification pass rates, job placement help, and night/weekend options.

Skilled Trades in Demand

  • Electrician

    • Electricians keep homes and businesses powered. Work includes installing wiring, panels, and controls, and troubleshooting systems. The BLS reports steady demand driven by construction, upgrades, and maintenance needs3. Mississippi wages for electricians are typically below the national median but competitive for the region; experienced and licensed contractors earn more3. Get details: Electrician Careers.

  • HVAC/R Technician

    • HVAC techs install and service heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems. Year-round service work supports stable employment. Employers value EPA 608 certification and hands-on lab training. BLS projects consistent demand as buildings need energy-efficient systems3. Learn more: HVAC Training and Licensing.

  • Welder

    • Welders join metal in fabrication, construction, pipelines, and manufacturing. Local demand in North Mississippi is tied to manufacturing and maintenance. Certifications through AWS or NCCER can boost your job options45. Explore paths: Welding Careers.

  • Plumber

    • Plumbers install and repair water, gas, and drainage systems. Work ranges from residential service to commercial installs. BLS shows stable employment with ongoing replacement needs as experienced workers retire3. See steps: Plumbing Careers.

Licensing Requirements in Mississippi

Licensing varies by trade. Mississippi regulates contractors statewide; some cities and counties also license individual tradespeople. Always check local rules before you start work.

  • Electrician (Contractor level, statewide)

    • Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC) licenses residential and commercial electrical contractors for projects over state thresholds (residential 0,000; commercial 0,000)6.
    • Steps:
    • Get trade training or experience (apprenticeship or school).
    • Pass required trade and business/law exams if applying for a contractor license.
    • Obtain insurance and financial documents; apply to MSBOC.
    • Many municipalities separately issue journeyman/master cards and require ICC or local exams. Check with the City of Oxford or Lafayette County building department.

  • HVAC/R (Mechanical Contractor)

    • MSBOC licenses mechanical contractors for HVAC projects above state thresholds6.
    • Steps:
    • Complete an HVAC program or apprenticeship.
    • Earn EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants7.
    • Apply for mechanical contractor classification with MSBOC if bidding above thresholds.
    • Verify any local journeyman/master card requirements where you work.

  • Plumbing (Contractor level, statewide)

    • MSBOC licenses plumbing contractors for projects above thresholds6.
    • Steps:
    • Complete plumbing training or apprenticeship.
    • Pass trade and business/law exams for contractor licensing (when required).
    • Meet bonding/insurance requirements.
    • Check for local journeyman/master licensing and permitting.

  • Welding

    • No state welding license. Employers and job sites often require AWS or NCCER performance qualifications45.
    • Steps:
    • Complete a welding certificate/diploma with plate/pipe practice.
    • Test to AWS D1.1 or other codes as required by employer or project.

  • Cosmetology/Esthetics/Nails

    • Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology licenses practitioners and schools8.
    • Steps:
    • Complete required hours at a state-licensed school (Cosmetology 1500 hours; Esthetics 600; Manicurist 350 — verify current totals with the Board).
    • Pass theory and practical exams (NIC-based).
    • Apply for your Mississippi license and keep it current with CE if required.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Community colleges listed above offer hybrid options. Academic courses may be online, while labs are in person for trades like HVAC, welding, and automotive.
  • Short-term certificates in areas like medical billing, office tech, or IT support are often fully online or hybrid through local colleges.
  • Ask about:
    • Night or weekend labs for working students.
    • Competency-based progress that can shorten your timeline if you have experience.
    • Credit for prior learning, military training, or industry certifications.
    • Employer-sponsored upskilling or apprenticeships that combine paid work with classes.

Next Steps

Pick two or three programs to tour. Ask about certification pass rates, graduate placement, and schedule flexibility. Then apply early to lock in your start date.

  1. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator (accreditation, programs, outcomes): https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), Accredited Institutions: https://www.accsc.org/ ↩ ↩

  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Outlook and Employment Data: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ and Mississippi employment/wage data. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. American Welding Society (AWS), Certifications: https://www.aws.org/ ↩ ↩

  5. NCCER, Credentials and Assessments: https://www.nccer.org/ ↩ ↩

  6. Mississippi State Board of Contractors (MSBOC), Licensing: https://www.msboc.us/ ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. U.S. EPA, Section 608 Technician Certification: https://www.epa.gov/section608 ↩

  8. Mississippi State Board of Cosmetology, Licensing and Education: https://www.msbc.ms.gov/ ↩

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Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

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.