Best Trade Schools in Minnesota for 2025
Trade schools often offer short-term programs that train students for long-term careers. Check out the best trade schools in Minnesota for 2024 and the programs they offer.
For many, the trades offer a stable career path without spending years in school. Often, trades require, at most, an associate degree, and can be studied at less expensive two-year colleges.
Keep reading to discover the best trade schools in Minnesota for 2024.
Featured Trade Schools in Minnesota
There are over two dozen colleges in Minnesota that offer trade programs. We've featured ten of the top colleges below in alphabetical order.
1. Century College
Century College is a public community college in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas on campus and online.
Programs are available in several industry trades, like:
- automotive service technology
- heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration technology
- solar and renewable energy
- welding
Additionally, the college offers a cosmetology program as well as programs in a number of health sciences fields, such as dental care, paramedic and EMT training, fire science, and radiology.
2. Dakota County Technical College
Dakota County Technical College is a public, two-year technical college in Rosemount, Minnesota. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas in person and online.
Students can study fields such as:
- construction
- health care
- manufacturing
- transportation
The college also offers a number of short-term, non-credit career programs in several fields, including mechatronics, healthcare, automotive, and even beer brewing.
3. Hennepin Technical College
Hennepin Technical College is a public technical school in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas on campus and online.
A number of trade programs are available in areas like:
- building and landscaping
- engineering technology
- manufacturing
- transportation
Additionally, programs are available in the culinary arts, health sciences, and emergency and medical services, among others.
4. Lake Superior College
Lake Superior College is a public community college in Duluth, Minnesota. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas in person and online.
Students can learn trades in fields such as:
- building construction
- electrician/electronics
- integrated manufacturing
- transportation
LSC also offers EMT and fire science programs as well as several healthcare programs, including dental hygiene, massage therapy, phlebotomy, and radiology.
5. Minnesota State College Southeast
Minnesota State College Southeast is a public technical and community college with two campuses, one in Red Wing and the other in Winona. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas on campus and online.
A number of trade programs are available in areas like:
- engineering
- manufacturing
- musical instrument repair and building
- transportation
Additionally, the college offers a cosmetology program and health sciences programs like biomedical equipment technology and radiography.
6. Ridgewater College
Ridgewater College is a public community college in Wilmar, Minnesota. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas in person and online.
Students can learn trades in fields such as:
- advanced manufacturing
- automotive
- construction
- engineering technology
Other available fields include agriculture and veterinary technology, cosmetology, health care, massage therapy, and paramedic/EMT training.
7. Riverland Community College
Riverland Community College is a public community college based in Austin, Minnesota. It offers associate degrees, certificate programs, and diploma programs on campus and online.
A number of trade programs are available in areas like:
- advanced manufacturing
- automotive
- construction
- transportation
Additionally, the college offers programs in agriculture and food science, healthcare, and personal care and services like cosmetology and massage therapy.
8. Rochester Community and Technical College
Rochester Community and Technical College is a public community college in Rochester, Minnesota. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas in person and online.
Students can learn trades in fields such as:
- automotive
- carpentry
- facility and service technology
- welding
Other fields of study at the college include veterinary technology, EMT/paramedic training, and healthcare, including dental, laboratory science, radiography, and surgical technology.
9. South Central College
South Central College is a public community college in North Mankato, Minnesota. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas on campus and online.
Programs are available in areas like:
- building and design
- health sciences
- manufacturing
- engineering
The college also offers apprenticeships with community partners for the medical assistant, machine tool technology, mechatronics, and welding programs.
10. St. Cloud Technical and Community College
St. Cloud Technical and Community College is a public technical college and community college in St. Cloud, Minnesota. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas in person and online.
Students can learn trades in fields such as:
- construction
- land surveying
- manufacturing
- transportation
Additionally, multiple health science programs are available in areas like cardiovascular technology, dental, paramedicine, sonography, and surgical technology.
Common Trade Jobs in Minnesota
There are many trade jobs available in Minnesota. According to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, some of the most in-demand trades include:
- nurses and nursing assistants
- automotive technicians and mechanics
- electricians
- machinists
- dental assistants
- hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists
- industrial machinery mechanics
- heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
- emergency medical technicians/paramedics
- massage therapists
How Much Does Trade School Cost in Minnesota?
While there are no specifics on trade schools specifically, the Education Data Initiative does offer figures for two-year schools overall.
In Minnesota, residents can expect to pay an average of $5,545 per year in tuition and fees. Non-residents attending a Minnesota college can expect to pay an average of $6,012 per year in tuition and fees.
To help you pay for college, there are many trade-specific scholarships available. To find out what you qualify for, fill out your Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible.
Are There Online Trade Schools in Minnesota?
All of the colleges listed above offer some programs at least partially online. However, many trade programs can not be completed 100% online.
This is because most trade programs require some amount of hands-on training. You may be able to take general education courses online and only need to be on campus for your program-specific courses.
Most of the time you can find out more about a program's format by visiting the program page of the school website. You can also speak to an admissions counselor for assistance.
Explore Trade Schools Today
There are many excellent trade schools in Minnesota that offer programs in a variety of trades. Check out the featured programs above to find the perfect trade school for you today.