Best Trade Schools in Dickson, Tennessee (2026)

Updated June 20, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

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

How to Get Started in Dickson

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

Compare Trade Schools Near Dickson, Tennessee

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 10 schools within 32 miles, nearest first in 25-mile distance bands, then by BOC Score inside each band 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.

#2

Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting

Nashville, TN 30.4 miles away BOC Score 94.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 1
  • Annual completions: 520
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $80,536 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#3

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN 32.0 miles away BOC Score 91.4
Tuition $67,498
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 5.9%
  • Graduation rate: 93.5%
  • Programs offered: 6
  • Annual completions: 189
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $101,204 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#4

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN 31.7 miles away BOC Score 62.5
Tuition $40,572
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 67.7%
  • Graduation rate: 72.2%
  • Programs offered: 14
  • Annual completions: 114
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $63,007 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#5

Belmont University

Nashville, TN 32.2 miles away BOC Score 61.1
Tuition $42,540
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 95.3%
  • Graduation rate: 70.7%
  • Programs offered: 18
  • Annual completions: 351
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $56,202 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#6

Austin's Beauty College Inc

Clarksville, TN 30.8 miles away BOC Score 53.2
Tuition Contact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 68.2%
  • Programs offered: 2
  • Annual completions: 83
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $31,296 (College Scorecard)

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#8

Nashville State Community College

Nashville, TN 28.9 miles away BOC Score 39.5
Tuition $4,730 in-state / $17,714 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Graduation rate: 18.5%
  • Programs offered: 17
  • Annual completions: 280
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $48,592 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#9

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN 31.0 miles away BOC Score 34.2
Tuition $8,616 in-state / $22,416 out-of-state
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 70.1%
  • Graduation rate: 34.0%
  • Programs offered: 8
  • Annual completions: 160
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $53,808 (College Scorecard)
  • Online programs available

Source: ACCSC IPEDS College Scorecard

#10

Fisk University

Nashville, TN 32.2 miles away BOC Score 21.6
Tuition $25,858
Contact
Key stats
  • Admission rate: 37.4%
  • Graduation rate: 29.9%
  • Programs offered: 2
  • Annual completions: 4
  • Median graduate earnings, 4 yrs after completing (all majors, not a single program): $58,830 (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. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the main population center in Tennessee.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
155.3Contact school for pricing$43,13674%—4 mi
294.2Contact school for pricing$80,536Not reportedYes*30 mi
353.2Contact school for pricing$31,29668%—31 mi
4Not ratedContact school for pricing$29,12086%—29 mi
539.5$4,730 in-state / $17,714 out-of-state$48,59218%Yes*29 mi

Schools closest to the main population center in Tennessee are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the main population center in Tennessee 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 Graduate Earnings by School - Best Trade Schools in Dickson, Tennessee (2026)
Median graduate earnings by school, Best Trade Schools in Dickson, Tennessee (2026) (College Scorecard)Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting $80536; Nashville State Community College $48592; Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson $43136; Austin's Beauty College Inc $31296; Franklin Hair Academy School of Cosmetology $29120.Meridian Institute of Surgic...$80,536Nashville State Community Co...$48,592Tennessee College of Applied...$43,136Austin's Beauty College Inc$31,296Franklin Hair Academy School...$29,120
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 Dickson, Tennessee (2026)
SchoolMedian graduate earnings
Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting$80,536
Nashville State Community College$48,592
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson$43,136
Austin's Beauty College Inc$31,296
Franklin Hair Academy School of Cosmetology$29,120

Tennessee Trade Career Outlook

Building & Construction Trades

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

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%
Wind Turbine Technician49.9%
Electrician9.5%
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%
Diesel Technician2.4%
Truck Driver (CDL)4.0%
Heavy Equipment Operator3.6%
Auto Mechanic4.2%
Automotive Technician4.2%
CNC Machinist0.0%
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%
Mental Health Technician20.0%
Medical Assistant12.5%
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)2.3%
Patient Care Technician2.3%
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%
Optician2.9%
Sterile Processing Technician10.0%
Dental Assistant6.4%
Pharmacy Technician6.4%
Phlebotomy Technician5.6%

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)
Veterinary Technician9.1%
Veterinary Assistant8.7%
Dog Trainer5.1%

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)