Best Trade Schools in New Jersey (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

New Jersey’s diverse economy, from healthcare and transportation to utilities and construction, relies heavily on skilled workers. Whether you’re in Newark, Camden, Jersey City, or a rural township, trade schools across New Jersey offer fast, practical education that prepares you for in-demand roles; outcomes vary by location and job market.

From HVAC and CDL to medical assisting and electrical programs, these schools help students get trained and certified so they can pursue work sooner; timelines and outcomes vary by location and job market.

Best Trade Schools In New Jersey

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.

#1

Healthcare Training Institute

Union, NJ In-state option BOC Score 75.6
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 41.7%
  • Graduation rate: 100.0%
  • Programs offered: 4
  • Annual completions: 50
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $42,547 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics & Cosmetology

Wayne, NJ In-state option BOC Score 75.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 80.0%
  • Programs offered: 3
  • Annual completions: 303
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $27,944 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

ASI Career Institute

Turnersville, NJ In-state option BOC Score 74.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
  • 5360 Black Horse Pike Suite 6 Turnersville, NJ 08012-1043
  • (856) 232-4677
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 98.5%
  • Programs offered: 3
  • Annual completions: 118
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $37,315 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

County College of Morris

Randolph, NJ In-state option BOC Score 72.1
Tuition $6,210 in-state / $14,310 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 35.6%
  • Programs offered: 27
  • Annual completions: 322
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,838 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

American Institute of Medical Sciences & Education

Piscataway, NJ In-state option BOC Score 72.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 87.5%
  • Programs offered: 9
  • Annual completions: 240
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $56,760 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Raritan Valley Community College

Branchburg, NJ In-state option BOC Score 69.8
Tuition $5,664 in-state / $7,584 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 30.9%
  • Programs offered: 36
  • Annual completions: 174
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $57,072 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#7

Warren County Community College

Washington, NJ In-state option BOC Score 69.0
Tuition $5,460 in-state / $6,360 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 38.9%
  • Programs offered: 16
  • Annual completions: 20
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $43,525 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Union County Vocational Technical School

Scotch Plains, NJ In-state option BOC Score 67.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 98.6%
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 106
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $37,626 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best trade school in New Jersey?

Lincoln Tech, Pennco Tech, and Eastwick College are top choices for HVAC, welding, electrical, and healthcare careers.

Are New Jersey community colleges considered trade schools?

Yes. Schools like Union County College and OCVTS provide accredited vocational training and technical education.

What trades are in demand in New Jersey in 2025?

According to NJ Department of Labor and the BLS:

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

If you’re ready to enter a skilled trade in New Jersey, these accredited programs will help you get certified, hired, and paid. Explore your options and apply today.

Trade Schools by City in New Jersey

Compare accredited trade schools in 110 New Jersey 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)