Best Trade Schools in New York (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

New York’s economy is powered by skilled workers-from the skyscrapers of Manhattan to the factories of Buffalo. Whether you’re in NYC, Albany, Rochester, or the rural North Country, trade schools across New York offer practical, job-focused training to help you get started in a high-demand career.

From HVAC and electrical to healthcare and welding, New York’s trade programs help students earn certifications and pursue roles more quickly; timelines and outcomes vary by location and job market.

Best Trade Schools In New York

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 5 schools, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 5 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

Erie 1 BOCES

West Seneca, NY In-state option BOC Score 69.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 89.1% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 21
  • Annual completions: 1133
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $45,417 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City, NY In-state option BOC Score 61.5
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 24.7% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 25
  • Annual completions: 884
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $47,724 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

SUNY Morrisville

Morrisville, NY In-state option BOC Score 56.5
Tuition $8,825 - $26,833
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 91.5%
  • Graduation rate: 30.1%
  • Programs offered: 24
  • Annual completions: 184
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $52,536 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Lincoln Technical Institute-Whitestone

Whitestone, NY In-state option BOC Score 43.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 63.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 5
  • Annual completions: 1394
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $51,742 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best trade school in New York?

Lincoln Tech (Queens), SUNY Morrisville, and BOCES programs across the state are all strong choices, offering hands-on programs in automotive, HVAC, and allied health fields.

Are SUNY and CUNY colleges considered trade schools?

Many SUNY and CUNY campuses offer technical certificate and associate degree programs in skilled trades and healthcare.

What trades are in demand in New York in 2025?

According to the NYS Department of Labor and the BLS:

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

If you’re ready to begin a skilled trade career in New York, these programs can help you get trained and certified so you can pursue roles sooner; timelines and outcomes vary by location and job market. Explore your options and take the next step today.

Trade Schools by City in New York

Compare accredited trade schools in 59 New York 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)