Best Trade Schools in Kalispell, Montana

Updated June 20, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Start here to compare accredited trade schools near Kalispell. This guide links to programs, state licensing steps, and related career paths so you can get job-ready quickly in Montana.

How to Get Started in Kalispell

  • Compare schools and program lengths above
  • Check your state licensing steps: Montana
  • Explore careers: Skilled trades hub
  • Ask each school about tuition, schedules, and embedded certifications (EPA 608, NCCER, ASE)

Compare Trade Schools Near Kalispell, Montana

How We Rank Schools

We first gather the schools closest to the city or state page you are viewing, then rank that local group by BOC Score, with the highest at the top. The BOC Score is computed from federal IPEDS and College Scorecard data; schools without enough data to score appear last.

Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry
25%
Average net price (lower is better)
20%
Retention rate
15%
Fully online availability
10%

Schools without enough federal outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

#1

Flathead Valley Community College

Kalispell, MT 1.1 miles away BOC Score 54.5
Tuition $4,912 - $14,882
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 28.1%
  • Programs offered: 49
  • Annual completions: 248
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,642 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

University of Providence

Great Falls, MT 150.1 miles away BOC Score 53.6
Tuition $30,448 - $43,477
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 50.3%
  • Graduation rate: 35.5%
  • Programs offered: 10
  • Annual completions: 57
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $88,535 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Salish Kootenai College

Pablo, MT 44.1 miles away BOC Score 53.5
Tuition $4,311 - $13,047
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 32.0%
  • Programs offered: 10
  • Annual completions: 16
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,164 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology Arts

Kalispell, MT 1.0 miles away BOC Score 52.7
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 87.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 6
  • Annual completions: 85
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $21,752 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Montana Academy of Salons

Great Falls, MT 148.6 miles away BOC Score 52.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 71.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 8
  • Annual completions: 212
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $30,263 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Great Falls College Montana State University

Great Falls, MT 150.3 miles away BOC Score 45.7
Tuition $4,028 - $16,664
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 33.0%
  • Programs offered: 22
  • Annual completions: 311
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $48,830 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

The University of Montana

Missoula, MT 94.2 miles away BOC Score 43.8
Tuition $8,552 - $33,671
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 95.9%
  • Graduation rate: 46.6%
  • Programs offered: 70
  • Annual completions: 859
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,928 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Blackfeet Community College

Browning, MT 64.8 miles away BOC Score 29.4
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 2
  • Annual completions: 10
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $38,312 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in Montana.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
154.5$4,912 - $14,882$47,64228%Yes*1 mi
253.5$4,311 - $13,047$52,16432%—44 mi
352.7Contact school for pricing$21,75288%—1 mi
452.0Contact school for pricing$30,26371%—149 mi
545.7$4,028 - $16,664$48,83033%Yes*150 mi
629.4Contact school for pricing$38,312Not reported—65 mi

Schools closest to the main population center in Montana are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Montana is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Median Annual Wage by Trade - Kalispell, MT's most-employed trades
Median annual wage by trade in Kalispell, MT, BLS OEWS May 2025Plumbers $79960; Electricians $76760; HVAC technicians $60850; Culinary workers $57470; Medical assistants $46820.Plumbers$79,960Electricians$76,760HVAC technicians$60,850Culinary workers$57,470Medical assistants$46,820
Trades ranked by local employment (BLS QCEW); wages are median annual pay (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; metro area where reported, otherwise statewide).
Median annual wage by trade in Kalispell, MT
TradeMedian annual wage
Plumbers$79,960
Electricians$76,760
HVAC technicians$60,850
Culinary workers$57,470
Medical assistants$46,820
Median Graduate Earnings by School - Best Trade Schools in Kalispell, Montana
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Trade Schools in Kalispell, Montana (College Scorecard)Salish Kootenai College $52164; Great Falls College Montana State University $48830; Flathead Valley Community College $47642; Blackfeet Community College $38312; Montana Academy of Salons $30263; Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology Arts $21752.Salish Kootenai College$52,164Great Falls College Montana ...$48,830Flathead Valley Community Co...$47,642Blackfeet Community College$38,312Montana Academy of Salons$30,263Crevier's Academy of Cosmeto...$21,752
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard - median earnings of all graduates at each school (not a single program).
Median graduate earnings by school for schools serving Best Trade Schools in Kalispell, Montana
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Salish Kootenai College$52,164
Great Falls College Montana State University$48,830
Flathead Valley Community College$47,642
Blackfeet Community College$38,312
Montana Academy of Salons$30,263
Crevier's Academy of Cosmetology Arts$21,752

Cost, Earnings, and Program Length in Kalispell

Among the Kalispell, MT area’s most-employed trades (BLS QCEW 2024), median annual pay ranges from $46,820 to $79,960 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 Kalispell ranges from $4,028 to $16,664 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).

Montana Trade Career Outlook

Building & Construction Trades

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Plumber4.5%
Carpenter4.5%
Welder2.2%
Construction Worker7.3%
Flooring Installer9.5%

Construction Management & Inspection

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Construction Manager8.7%
Home Inspector-0.8%

Electrical & Energy Systems

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Lineworker6.6%
Electrician9.5%
Wind Turbine Technician49.9%
HVAC Technician8.1%
Solar Installer42.1%
Tower Technician8.6%

Mechanical, Automotive & Transportation

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Gunsmith2.0%
Aircraft Mechanic (A&P)4.0%
Heavy Equipment Operator3.6%
CNC Machinist0.0%
Diesel Technician2.4%
Truck Driver (CDL)4.0%
Auto Mechanic4.2%
Automotive Technician4.2%
Maintenance Technician3.8%

Healthcare: Nursing & Patient Care

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)2.6%
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)2.6%
Hemodialysis Technician5.2%
Medical Assistant12.5%
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)2.3%
Patient Care Technician2.3%
Mental Health Technician20.0%
Home Health Aide17.0%

Healthcare: Allied Health & Diagnostics

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer13.0%
EKG Technician3.0%
Radiologic Technologist4.3%
Surgical Technologist4.5%
Pharmacy Technician6.4%
Optician2.9%
Dental Assistant6.4%
Phlebotomy Technician5.6%
Sterile Processing Technician10.0%

Healthcare: Administration & Office Support

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Medical Billing & Coding Specialist7.1%
Medical Office Administrator4.2%

Therapy, Rehab & Fitness

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Occupational Therapy Assistant19.2%
Massage Therapist15.4%
Personal Trainer11.9%
Physical Therapy Aide2.8%

Animal Care & Training

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Dog Trainer5.1%
Veterinary Technician9.1%
Veterinary Assistant8.7%

Beauty & Personal Care

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Esthetician6.7%
Beauty Professional5.6%
Cosmetologist5.6%

Culinary & Hospitality Careers

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Culinary Chef7.1%
Pastry Chef7.1%

Business & Legal Support

TradeJob Growth (2024-2034, US)
Digital Court Reporter-0.3%
Paralegal0.2%
Bookkeeper-5.8%

Job growth uses state projections when available and national projections (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034) when state data is unavailable. Median pay for each trade is shown in the comparison table above.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections (2024-2034). Projected U.S. change shown for each trade.

Next Steps

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)