22 Best Vocational Schools in Texas (Houston, Austin, Dallas)

Vocational schools in Texas are some of the best in the country. They are known for offering world-class trade and technical programs that equip students with professional skills and experience to be successful in the job market. This blog is a guide on the best vocational schools in Texas with details on their specific locations and the programs they offer.

Four-year colleges are not the only option to get higher education. Other alternatives such as vocational schools, trade schools, technical schools, or community colleges offer fantastic programs to high school graduates, the unemployed, and even employees. Trade schools and technical schools are all vocational schools and could be used interchangeably to describe any of them.

By the time you get to the list of the best vocational schools in Texas further below, you will have a wider option for higher education and gain a better understanding of trade schools and how they operate.

Unlike 4-year colleges that offer bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. programs, vocational schools do not. Rather, they offer certificate, diploma, and in special cases, associate degree programs that takes a few months to 2 years to complete. The associate degree is the longest time which is 2 years. Another way to spot a technical school is by the program they offer. You will find them offering job-specific courses like car mechanic, masonry, electrician, IT technician, business, welding, medical assistant, carpentry, plumber, etc.

Vocational schools are much quicker to complete and cheaper compared to a bachelor’s degree. We have a guide on free vocational training programs and another on the cheapest community colleges in Canada as proof that taking a vocational pathway is indeed affordable.

If you want to get into the workforce faster after graduating high school and earn good pay, you should consider going to a trade school. In such a short time, a trade school will equip you with the specific skills you need to prepare you for success in that particular industry. If you want to become an electrician or HVAC installer, rather than going to a 4-year college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering for 4 years you can simply enroll in a trade school, learn these skills, and graduate in 2 years or less with authentic, industry-needed, high-demand skills.

Trade schools are practical-focused and their instructors are industry professionals who have attained a level of success and/or accomplishment in that field. Students learn from and work side-by-side with these professionals to learn from their experiences and create their own experiences at the same time. At a vocational school, bear in mind that you will not be in the classroom all the time receiving lectures.

You will either be outside the school campus with a partner enterprise working in the real world and learning at the same time. It is either this or your education/training will be taking place at one of the facilities or research centers on campus carrying out practicals with professionals in the field. This way, when you graduate, you can start working almost immediately or become self-employed.

Vocational institutions are interesting because there is more practical than theory and they are found in nearly, if not every country in the world with the US not being an exception. I recently published a similar guide on vocational schools in Florida and now, I am bringing you the best vocational schools in Texas so that you can have as many options as possible.

How Long is Vocational School in Texas?

Vocational schools in Texas take anywhere from 3 months to 2 years depending on the program you want to study and your skill level.

How Much is Tuition of Vocational Schools in Texas

The average tuition for vocational schools in Texas is $17,450.

Vocational schools in Texas

Best Vocational Schools in Texas (Houston, Austin, Dallas)

Below are the vocational schools in Texas with details on their location and the programs they offer:

  • Ogle School
  • Remington College
  • San Antonio College
  • South Texas Vocational Technical Institute
  • Center for Employment Training (CET)
  • Del Mar College
  • Southern Careers Institute
  • Lamson Institute
  • Arlington Career Institute
  • Pima Medical Institute

1.     Ogle School

Ogle School is one of the vocational schools in Texas focused on providing cosmetology and esthetics programs at nine campuses across Texas. These locations are:

  • Arlington
  • Dallas
  • North Dallas
  • Denton
  • Forth Worth
  • Hurst
  • San Antonio
  • Willowbrook
  • Stafford

The programs are offered in part-time and full-time study options so that students can learn at a time that suits them best.  It takes between 5 months to 10 months to complete the esthetics program after which you will earn an esthetics license and be suitable for roles such as skin care specialist, brand trainer, beauty educator, makeup artist, salon/spa manager, medical esthetician, and many more.

School Website

2.     Remington College

Remington College is a vocational institution in the US with campuses in Texas, Ohio, Alabama, Louisiana, and Tennessee. The Texas campus is located at 9451 Lyndon B. Johnson FWY, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75243. The college offers programs in healthcare, trades, business & technology, legal/criminal justice, music production & creative arts, culinary, cosmetology, and continuing education.

School Website

3.      San Antonio College

San Antonio College is a large school in Texas serving over 20,000 students per semester. The college offers high school programs, a workforce training network, and a teaching and learning center for those enrolled in technical/trade programs. Online programs are also offered. The exact location of SAC is 1819 N. Main Ave. San Antonio, Texas 78212.

School website

4.     South Texas Vocational Technical Institute

South Texas Vocational Technical Institute is another large vocational school in Texas with 5 campuses across the state. The campuses are located at Brownsville, Corpus Christi, McAllen, San Antonio, and Weslaco. Each of these campuses has cutting-edge facilities designed to equip students with real-world skills and promote quality career training.

STVT offers programs in a variety of skilled trades, healthcare, and business.

School Website

5.     Center for Employment Training (CET)

Center for Employment is an institution that trains and equips you with skills to get your dream job. The institution has 12 career training centers in three US states and there are a few in Texas. Its location in Texas is at El Paso which offers only two programs in truck driving and welding fabrication.

CET offers you job placement assistance, short-term courses to complete fast and get to success, higher graduation rates, low tuition costs, support services, veteran-friendly, and a 2-week trial.

School Website

6.     Del Mar College

 Del Mar College is one of the best vocational schools in Corpus Christi, Texas. The college offers programs in sciences, fine arts, business, and occupational and technical areas. The college has a 90% graduation rate who go on to earn a median first-year income of $57,000.

School Website

7.     Southern Careers Institute

Southern Careers Institute is a large career school in Texas with 8 campuses across the state. These campuses are located at:

  • Austin (main campus)
  • Harlingen
  • Pharr
  • Corpus Christi
  • Waco
  • Brownsville
  • San Anthonio (North & South)
  • Online Learning

Southern Careers Institute has developed a laser focus on making our students more marketable with customized and employer-tailored programs. Courses offered include beauty, medical, business, skilled trades, and technology. Applicants must be at least 16 years old and have their official high school transcripts or GED to apply.

School Website

8.     Lamson Institute

Lamson Institute is a career institute located in San Antonio, Texas offering technical programs for in-demand careers. The institute trains and offers certifications to students in the following programs:

  • Medical Assistants
  • Electricians
  • HVAC Technicians
  • Lab Assistants
  • EKG Assistants
  • Phlebotomists
  • Cloud Computing & Cybersecurity
  • Medical Billers & Coders

School Website

9.     Arlington Career Institute

Arlington Career Institute is located in Grand Prairie, Texas, and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. They offer the following programs:

  • Administrative Assistant
  • Court Reporting Steno Machine
  • Court Reporting Voice Writing
  •  HVAC
  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Office Specialist
  • Nursing Assistant
  • Paralegal/Legal Assistant
  • Vocational Nursing

Graduating from any of these programs will equip you with the skills to succeed in the industry.

School Website

10.  Pima Medical Institute

Pima Medical Institute is a vocational institute in the US focused on providing medical and healthcare education. If this is a field that interests you, then you may want to consider PMI and find the nearest campus close to you as the institute has campuses across the US.

The Texas campus is located in El Paso and offers programs in dental assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, health care administration certificate, medical assistant, occupational therapy assistant, pharmacy technician, radiography, and veterinary technician.

School Website

5 Best Vocational Schools in Houston, Texas

The following are the best vocational schools in Houston, Texas:

  • Vet Tech Institute
  • Jays Technical Institute
  • Houston Training Schools, Inc.
  • Elite Welding Academy
  • Aviation Institute of Maintenance

1.     Vet Tech Institute

Vet Tech Institute is a vocational training school in Houston, Texas that trains individuals to become veterinarians. So, if you love animals and want to work with them and care for them, Vet Tech Institute is the school for you to train into a professional veterinary technician. The program takes 18 months to complete and you will learn how to perform dental cleanings, assist in surgery, educate families, draw blood and run tests, administer medications, and take X-rays.

School Website

2.     Jays Technical Institute

Jays Technical Institute is a vocational school in Fondren Meadow, Houston, Texas offering vocational programs in barber, cosmetology, computer user support specialist, HVAC technician, electrical installer technician, and English as a second language. These various courses are intended to allow students to develop skills that will provide a means of self-support and a sense of self-worth.

School Website

3.     Houston Training Schools, Inc.

If you want to pursue careers in the beauty industry and looking for a school in Houston that will equip you with the relevant skillset and set you up for success in the beauty industry, then Houston Training Schools, Inc. is the place for you. The college is located at East Freeway, Houston, TX, and offers courses in eyelash extension specialist, manicuring, esthetician, and cosmetology.

School Website

4.     Elite Welding Academy

Residents of Houston who want to gain welding skills and build a career from it should consider going to Elite Welding Academy to kickstart their training. The school is known for offering top-notch welding programs, testing, and training programs designed to help students build a strong foundation in welding and related trades.

School Website

5.     Aviation Institute of Maintenance

An aviation career is satisfying. You get to work with the huge white bird that flies people from one location to another. If this is what you’ve been looking for, the Aviation Institute of Maintenance is where you want to be to learn and gain the skills of an aircraft technician in a short time. The school is located at Airport Blvd, Houston, TX.

School Website

The following are the best vocational schools in Austin, Texas with details on their program offerings and location:

  • Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
  • Austin Career Institute
  • Avenue Five Institute
  • CyberTex Institute of Technology
  • Baldwin Beauty Schools

1.     Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts is a reputable culinary school in the US. Ranked among the 13 best culinary schools in the world by Chef’s Penci and best culinary schools in America by USA Today. You don’t want to pursue your culinary careers elsewhere but here, a world-class culinary institute.

The school offers programs in culinary arts, pastry arts, food entrepreneurship, holistic nutrition & wellness, and hospitality & restaurant operations management. Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts provides the education and skills you need to lead a successful career in the culinary industry.

School Website

2.     Austin Career Institute

Austin Career Institute is one of the best career schools in Austin, TX. The programs offered here – HVAC technician, medical assistant, and electrical technician – are nationally accredited certificate programs taught by instructors with real-world industry experience. The school also offers job placement assistance to graduates.

School Website

3.     Avenue Five Institute

Residents of Austin, Texas who are looking for a beauty school to enroll in, there is one close to you and that is the Avenue Five Institute. The institute focuses on only beauty programs and therefore offers courses in cosmetology, esthetics, nails, and massage therapy.

School Website

4.     CyberTex Institute of Technology

CyberTex Institute of Technology is one of the technical schools in Austin, Texas offering technical training programs in IT, medical, healthcare, and construction trades. Students enrolled in any of the programs are equipped with workplace skills for initial employment, paving the way for career success.

School Website

5.     Baldwin Beauty Schools

Baldwin Beauty Schools is one of the cosmetology schools in Austin, TX for those who want to pursue careers in the beauty industry. This school will equip them with adequate skills to become successful in their respective fields.

School Website

Vocational Schools in Dallas, Texas

Curated below are all the vocational schools in Dallas, TX with details on their program offering:

  • Tint School of Makeup & Cosmetology
  • Ogle School

1.     Ogle School

Ogle School is a beauty school with one of its campuses in Dallas, Texas. This brings cosmetology education closer to residents of Dallas who want to pursue careers in the beauty industry. Students will learn esthetics and cosmetology from beauty professionals.

School Website

2.     Tint School of Makeup & Cosmetology

Tint School of Makeup & Cosmetology is another vocational school in Dallas with a focus on beauty programs. The school has locations in Irving and Grand Prairie in Dallas, Texas. International students are also accepted to gain world-class cosmetology skill set

School Website

Conclusion

Vocational schools can equip you with the skills you need to be successful in your career. With the long list of vocational schools in Florida curated here, it will be much easier for you to find a befitting trade school to gain world-class skills and excel in your career.

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