Best Trade Schools in Maryland for 2025

Trade schools are a great career option for aspiring students. They include careers in construction and mechanics, but also include many healthcare careers and careers in the personal services industry.

Keep reading to discover ten of the best trade schools in Maryland for 2024 and the programs they offer.

Featured Trade Schools in Maryland

There are several schools in Maryland offering trade programs. We've listed ten of the best trade schools in Maryland in alphabetical order below.

All colleges listed are regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

1. Allegany College of Maryland

Allegany College of Maryland is a public community college in Cumberland, Maryland. It offers associate degrees, certificate programs, and continuing education programs.

Trade programs offered at the college include:

• automotive technology
• culinary arts
• industrial technology
• welding

Additionally, Allegany College offers several health sciences programs, including dental hygiene, massage therapy, medical coding and billing, medical technology, and nursing.

2. Anne Arundel Community College

Anne Arundel Community College is a public college and it's located in Arnold, Maryland. It offers associate degrees, certificates, non-credit job training, and personal enrichment programs.

Students can study trades such as:

• casino dealer
• culinary and pastry arts
• health sciences
• landscape design
• pool and spa operation
• veterinary assisting

Apprenticeships are available in skilled trades such as boiler operator, electrician, HVAC/R technician, machine repairer, pipefitter, plumber, sprinkler fitter, stationary engineer, and steamfitter.

3. Baltimore City Community College

Baltimore City Community College is a public community college in Baltimore, Maryland. It offers associate degrees, certificate programs, and workforce training programs.

Trade programs offered at the college include:

• construction
• dental hygiene
• diesel mechanic
• emergency medical services
• industrial maintenance mechanic
• mechatronics technology
• nursing
• warehouse logistics

Students have the option to pursue a core construction pre-apprenticeship as well as an industrial maintenance mechanic apprenticeship.

4. Carroll Community College

Carroll County Community College is a public community college in Westminster, Maryland. It offers associate degrees, certificates, professional skills, and job training programs, and personal enrichment programs.

Students can study trades such as:

• automotive technology
• dental assisting
• digital design and fabrication
• emergency medical technology
• home inspection
• massage therapy
• medical assisting
• nursing and health sciences
• precision machinist
• truck driving
• veterinary assistant
• welding

Additionally, Carroll Community College offers two apprenticeship programs, one in electrical and the other in HVACR.

5. College of Southern Maryland

The College of Southern Maryland is a public community college in La Plata, Maryland. It offers associate degrees, certificates, continuing education programs, and personal enrichment programs.

Trade programs offered at the college include:

• electrical technology
• HVAC technology
• health sciences
• home inspection
• truck driving
• welding

Many of the programs at the college include work-based learning opportunities for students, which combine classroom instruction with practical work experience.

6. Community College of Baltimore County

The Community College of Baltimore County is a public community college based in Baltimore, Maryland. It offers associate degrees, professional development programs, and life enrichment programs.

Students can study trades such as:

• automotive technology
• aviation technology
• casino dealing
• design, fabrication, and advanced manufacturing
• engineering technology
• HVAC and energy technology
• health sciences
• survey technology

The college also offers numerous apprenticeships with local businesses. Trades offered include carpentry, electrical, HVACR, pipefitting, plumbing, and sheet metal.

7. Hagerstown Community College

Hagerstown Community College is a public community college in Hagerstown, Maryland. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training programs.

Trade programs offered at the college include:

• blacksmithing
• construction
• diesel technician
• electronics technician
• forklift operator
• home inspection
• mechatronics and industrial technology
• pet grooming
• veterinary assistant
• welding

Additionally, students can study multiple health science programs at the college, including dental assisting, diagnostic imaging, medical laboratory technology, and nursing.

8. Harford Community College

Harford Community College is a public community college in Bel Air, Maryland. It offers associate degree and certificate programs as well as workforce and career training.

Students can study trades such as:

• automotive repair
• brick masonry
• building maintenance
• commercial truck driving
• construction
• electrical
• forklift operations
• healthcare
• heavy equipment operations
• HVAC
• manufacturing
• solar photovoltaic installation

Two apprenticeships are available through Harford Community College. The first is an electrical apprenticeship, and the other is an HVAC apprenticeship.

9. Howard Community College

Howard Community College is a public community college in Columbia, Maryland. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and workforce, career, and community education programs.

Trade programs offered at the college include:

• culinary arts
• electronics technology
• EMT/paramedic training
• HVAC
• nursing
• plumbing
• radiologic technology

The college offers nearly a dozen apprenticeship programs, including apprenticeships in biomedical equipment technology, electrical, HVACR, nursing, plumbing, and surgical technology.

10. Montgomery College

Montgomery College is a public community college in Rockville, Maryland. It offers associate degrees, certificate programs, and enrichment and business training.

Students can study trades such as:

• architectural technology
• automotive technology
• building and construction technology
• carpentry
• diagnostic imaging
• electrical technology
• emergency services
• HVAC
• plumbing
• surgical technology

Students can also find apprenticeship programs in areas like automotive, building, and construction through the college's Gudelsky Institute for Technical Education.

Common Trade Jobs in Maryland

There are many common trade jobs in Maryland. These include:

• transportation and material moving jobs
• healthcare practice and technology jobs
• construction and extraction jobs
• installation, maintenance, and repair jobs
• production jobs

How Much Does Trade School Cost in Maryland?

On average, two-year colleges, like community colleges and trade schools, tend to be more expensive in Maryland than across the U.S.

Maryland residents studying at a public two-year college can expect to pay an average of $4,369 per year, while non-residents pay an average of $10,623 per year. This does not include costs like supplies or room and board.

There are many scholarships and financial aid options available to students studying trades. To find out what you qualify for, start by filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Are There Online Trade Schools in Maryland?

Many of the colleges listed above offer online trade school programs or courses to students. Unfortunately, most trade programs require hands-on learning and cannot be done fully online.

However, even if your program isn't available online, you may be able to take a portion of your courses online. Check with your advisor or admissions counselor to see what options are available to you.

Explore Trade Schools Today

Maryland offers several excellent colleges where students can learn trades. Check out the featured top trade schools in Maryland listed above to find the perfect fit for you today.