Best Trade Schools in Oregon (2026)

Oregon’s diverse economy relies on skilled workers in manufacturing, healthcare, renewable energy, and construction. Trade schools across the state offer short-term, career-focused training designed to prepare students for high-demand jobs in these industries. Programs can often be completed in less than two years, and many include internships or apprenticeships for hands-on experience.

Whether you live in Portland, Eugene, Salem, or rural Oregon, you can find accredited programs that match your career goals and schedule.


Best Trade Schools in Oregon

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 6 schools, closest group first, then ordered by BOC Score with the highest at the top. 6 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

Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR In-state option BOC Score 61.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 56.3% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 27
  • Annual completions: 650
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $87,138 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#2

Clackamas Community College

Oregon City, OR In-state option BOC Score 57.1
Tuition Contact school for pricing
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Key stats
  • Completion rate: 22.6% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 50
  • Annual completions: 405
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $54,462 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Chemeketa Community College

Salem, OR In-state option BOC Score 49.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 21.8% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 50
  • Annual completions: 533
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $50,594 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Portland Community College

Portland, OR In-state option BOC Score 46.0
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 70
  • Annual completions: 3526
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $55,238 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Lane Community College

Eugene, OR In-state option BOC Score 38.9
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 20.4% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 57
  • Annual completions: 847
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $59,131 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Northwest College-Beaverton

Beaverton, OR In-state option BOC Score 29.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Completion rate: 50.0% (College Scorecard)
  • Programs offered: 8
  • Annual completions: 51
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $30,364 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

Trade Schools by City in Oregon

Compare accredited trade schools in 58 Oregon cities. Each city page lists the closest local schools with tuition, median graduate earnings, and the trades hiring nearby.


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best trade school in Oregon?

Portland Community College is the largest and most comprehensive, with programs in welding, HVAC, automotive, and healthcare. Lane Community College is also highly regarded for aviation and renewable energy programs.

Are Oregon community colleges considered trade schools?

Yes. Many Oregon community colleges offer accredited, hands-on training that prepares you for skilled trade careers; employment outcomes vary by location and job market.

What trades are in demand in Oregon in 2025?

Welders, HVAC techs, electricians, nurses, renewable energy specialists, and automotive service technicians are in high demand.


Oregon’s trade schools combine hands-on training, strong employer partnerships, and financial aid options to prepare students for stable, well-paying careers.



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)