2026 Rankings

    Best Trade Schools in California

    Data-driven rankings of 321 trade colleges in California based on graduation rates, student outcomes, and affordability. No paid placements.

    321 Schools RankedPowered by IPEDS Data

    Showing 1–25 of 321 schools

    #1
    74.2/ 100
    Concorde Career College-San Bernardino

    San Bernardino, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:82%
    Student-Faculty:4:1
    Programs:9
    Avg Tuition:$44,352
    Financial Aid:95%
    #2
    73.4/ 100
    Concorde Career College-Garden Grove

    Garden Grove, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:81%
    Student-Faculty:3:1
    Programs:7
    Avg Tuition:$44,704
    Financial Aid:95%
    #3
    73.0/ 100
    Regan Career Institute

    El Monte, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:100%
    Student-Faculty:5:1
    Programs:4
    Avg Tuition:$17,830
    Financial Aid:100%
    #4
    72.7/ 100
    California Career Institute

    Anaheim, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:82%
    Student-Faculty:8:1
    Programs:6
    Avg Tuition:$29,290
    Financial Aid:N/A
    #5
    72.1/ 100
    Clovis Adult Education

    Clovis, CA · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:77%
    Student-Faculty:6:1
    Programs:4
    Avg Tuition:$1,000
    Financial Aid:100%
    #6
    71.6/ 100
    Concorde Career College-North Hollywood

    North Hollywood, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:79%
    Student-Faculty:3:1
    Programs:6
    Avg Tuition:$36,190
    Financial Aid:98%
    #7
    70.5/ 100
    Grad Rate:81%
    Student-Faculty:4:1
    Programs:7
    Avg Tuition:$3,679
    Financial Aid:78%
    #8
    70.2/ 100
    ATA College

    El Cajon, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:93%
    Student-Faculty:8:1
    Programs:7
    Avg Tuition:$17,720
    Financial Aid:91%
    #8
    70.2/ 100
    Ventura Adult and Continuing Education

    Ventura, CA · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:76%
    Student-Faculty:4:1
    Programs:11
    Avg Tuition:$6,698
    Financial Aid:87%
    #10
    70.0/ 100
    American Institute of Massage Therapy

    Santa Ana, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:98%
    Student-Faculty:5:1
    Programs:2
    Avg Tuition:$10,615
    Financial Aid:100%
    #11
    69.8/ 100
    Concorde Career College-San Diego

    San Diego, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:76%
    Student-Faculty:2:1
    Programs:8
    Avg Tuition:$47,635
    Financial Aid:93%
    #12
    69.1/ 100
    California Nurses Educational Institute

    Rancho Mirage, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:84%
    Student-Faculty:7:1
    Programs:5
    Avg Tuition:$7,625
    Financial Aid:79%
    #13
    68.4/ 100
    San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario

    Ontario, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:75%
    Student-Faculty:8:1
    Programs:20
    Avg Tuition:$46,393
    Financial Aid:92%
    #14
    68.2/ 100
    Hypnosis Motivation Institute

    Tarzana, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:92%
    Student-Faculty:7:1
    Programs:2
    Avg Tuition:$35,584
    Financial Aid:98%
    #15
    66.8/ 100
    Los Angeles County College of Nursing and Allied Health

    Los Angeles, CA · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:82%
    Student-Faculty:3:1
    Programs:3
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:N/A
    #15
    66.8/ 100
    Career Care Institute

    Lancaster, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:82%
    Student-Faculty:8:1
    Programs:5
    Avg Tuition:$33,063
    Financial Aid:88%
    #17
    66.1/ 100
    Downey Adult School

    Downey, CA · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:89%
    Student-Faculty:17:1
    Programs:10
    Avg Tuition:$7,198
    Financial Aid:85%
    #18
    65.8/ 100
    Carrington College-San Jose logo
    Carrington College-San Jose

    San Jose, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:79%
    Student-Faculty:10:1
    Programs:10
    Avg Tuition:$42,556
    Financial Aid:90%
    #19
    65.7/ 100
    Hacienda La Puente Adult Education logo
    Hacienda La Puente Adult Education

    La Puente, CA · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:88%
    Student-Faculty:13:1
    Programs:15
    Avg Tuition:$2,243
    Financial Aid:39%
    #20
    65.6/ 100
    Victory Career College logo
    Victory Career College

    Carson, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:92%
    Student-Faculty:8:1
    Programs:7
    Avg Tuition:$12,180
    Financial Aid:0%
    #21
    65.3/ 100
    Stellar Career College logo
    Stellar Career College

    Modesto, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:76%
    Student-Faculty:6:1
    Programs:6
    Avg Tuition:$13,505
    Financial Aid:95%
    #22
    65.1/ 100
    Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista logo
    Pima Medical Institute-Chula Vista

    Chula Vista, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:77%
    Student-Faculty:10:1
    Programs:8
    Avg Tuition:$22,058
    Financial Aid:93%
    #22
    65.1/ 100
    California Hair Design Academy logo
    California Hair Design Academy

    La Mesa, CA · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:82%
    Student-Faculty:11:1
    Programs:5
    Avg Tuition:$9,043
    Financial Aid:100%
    #24
    64.6/ 100
    Butte County Regional Occupational Program logo
    Butte County Regional Occupational Program

    Chico, CA · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:79%
    Student-Faculty:7:1
    Programs:4
    Avg Tuition:$4,450
    Financial Aid:89%
    #25
    64.4/ 100
    Mt. Diablo Adult Education-Mt. Diablo USD logo
    Mt. Diablo Adult Education-Mt. Diablo USD

    Concord, CA · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:72%
    Student-Faculty:4:1
    Programs:6
    Avg Tuition:$4,523
    Financial Aid:66%

    Our rankings evaluate trade and vocational colleges using six weighted metrics derived from federal IPEDS data: graduation rate, student-faculty ratio, program breadth, institutional scale, financial accessibility, and affordability. Schools must meet minimum eligibility requirements to be ranked.

    How are these rankings calculated? View Methodology