Best Trade Schools in Tennessee for 2025

If learning a trade is the best option for you, explore the bountiful array of trade schools in Tennessee today. You can even study for free. Read this article to find out how.

Are you ready to learn a skilled trade and go right to work rather than attend a four-year college to earn a degree?

The state of Tennessee depends upon the skilled labor of thousands of trades workers, and you could be one of these valuable members of society.

You may have heard about the movement that 'Dirty Jobs' television personality Mike Rowe started as he tries to raise awareness and respect for the essential work of skilled tradespeople like pipefitters, plumbers, farmers, welders, electricians, and other workers who build and maintain our nation's infrastructure.

Most of these vocations require only a short-term training program. Trade schools, vocational schools, technical colleges, or community colleges are all places where you can study to learn a trade.

Keep reading to find out about the best trade schools in Tennessee.

Attend a Trade School For Free in Tennessee

The Tennessee Promise program is a state initiative that began in 2014 that provides a free two years of community or technical college to high school graduates.

In 2018, the Tennessee Legislature established the Tennessee Reconnect program to encourage more of its state residents to attend a community or technical college in the state.

Tennessee Reconnect pays for up to two years of tuition at a community or technical college for eligible adult students who do not hold an associate or bachelor's degree or higher.

Students must be independent adults (according to the FAFSA form) who qualify as Tennessee residents.

Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs)

The state of Tennessee oversees 38 public community and technical colleges with more than 400 programs of study.

If you live in Tennessee, you've likely heard of TCATs, the state's public colleges for technical training.

These 24 campuses around the state provide students with technical skills and professional training.

Governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents, the specific degree or certificate offerings vary based on each TCAT's locality since the programs are designed to correspond to the needs of local industries.

For example, TCAT Nashville has technology programs in

Advanced Manufacturing
Aesthetics
Automotive
Aviation Maintenance
Building Construction
Collision Repair
Computer-Aided Design
Computer Information
Cosmetology
Dental Assisting
Dental Laboratory
Diesel Powered Equipment
Early Childhood Education
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
Industrial Maintenance/Mechatronics
Machine Tool
Phlebotomy
Practical Nursing
Residential, Commercial, Industrial Electricity
Welding

The Crossville TCAT, on the other hand, has some of the same programs but also has tech programs in administrative office tech, automotive tech, criminal justice: correctional officer, masonry tech, power sports tech, surgical tech, and truck driving.

Each TCAT program is advised by local employers and industry professionals to ensure that the curriculum aligns with industry practice.

All of the TCATs are accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE).

You could attend any of the following Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs):

Athens
Chattanooga
Crossville
Crump
Dickson
Elizabethton
Harriman
Hartsville
Henry Carroll (Paris, TN)
Hohenwald
Jacksboro
Jackson
Knoxville
Livingston
McKenzie
McMinnville
Memphis
Morristown
Murfreesboro
Nashville
Northwest (Newbern, TN)
Oneida
Pulaski
Shelbyville

Community Colleges in Tennessee That Provide Trades Training

Tennessee's 13 community colleges can prepare students either to immediately join the workforce through training for a trade or to gain a two-year academic associate degree as a foundation for further university study.

Community college trade programs include training in construction-related trades such as electrical, HVAC mechanics, industrial machinery mechanics, welding, or sheet metal work.

You could also earn a professional certificate in a health care field such as emergency medical technician, laboratory phlebotomy technician, or pharmacy technician.

Students train for dozens of other careers in areas such as education and human services, business and logistics, engineering (including machining, electronics, industrial computer, and quality assurance), and tech jobs such as mechatronics or industrial motion control.

Tennessee's community colleges include:

Chattanooga State Community College
Cleveland State Community College
Columbia State Community College
Dyersburg State Community College
Jackson State Community College
Motlow State Community College
Nashville State Community College
Northeast State Community College
Pellissippi State Community College
Roane State Community College
Southwest Tennessee Community College
Volunteer State Community College
Walters State Community College

Featured Trade Schools in Tennessee

In addition to the state-run TSATs and the 13 state community colleges, the following schools are among the private tech schools for Tennessee residents.

In addition, you can find many other schools of cosmetology not included here.

Chattanooga College Medical, Dental, and Technical Careers (Private for Profit)

With a student population of 220 and a student-to-faculty ratio of 25 to 1, the most popular programs are in aesthetician/esthetician and skin care specialist, cosmetology, nail technician, and nursing assistant.

Concorde Career College in Memphis (Private for Profit)

Known for its medical clinical assistant and dental assistant programs, Concorde Career College serves 1,317 students with a student-to-faculty ratio of 34 to 1.

Fortis Institute in Cookville (Private for Profit)

The most popular programs are medical/clinical assistant, pharmacy tech assistant, and

HVAC. Fortis Institute's student enrollment is 295, and it has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

Lincoln College of Technology in Nashville (Private for Profit)

Serving just over 1,000 students with a 20-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, Lincoln College specializes in training in welding and autobody/collision and repair technology.

Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting in Nashville (Private for Profit)

This surgical technology program enrolls about 800 students each year but has an almost unheard-of student-to-faculty ratio of 85 students per faculty member

Miller-Motte College in Chattanooga (Private for Profit)

Most students get certificates from Miller-Motte to become truck and bus drivers, commercial vehicle operators, and medical insurance coding specialists. The school serves about 2500 students and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 50 to 1.

North Central Institute in Clarksville (Private for Profit)

This tiny school specializes in aircraft powerplant technology, airframe mechanics, and aircraft maintenance technology.

It has a student population of 50 students each year but they get plenty of faculty support with a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

Remington College in Nashville (Private Nonprofit)

Remington College is known for its programs in Culinary arts, Medical Office Assistant, and Medical Clinical Assistant preparation. It serves about 350 students per year and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 30 to 1.

William Moore College of Technology in Nashville (Private Nonprofit)

HVAC and welding are the top trades studied by the 350 students who attend William Moore College.

They enjoy faculty mentorship with a generous student-to-faculty ratio of just 11 to 1.

Common Trade Jobs in Tennessee

Like much of North America, Tennessee is facing a serious labor shortage in the skilled trades--especially in the construction and manufacturing industries.

According to Indeed.com, the ten highest-paying trade jobs in 2024 include

Other essential trades found in almost every community are those involving industrial, automotive, and diesel mechanical skills.

How Much Does Trade School Cost in Tennessee?

A public trade school program in Tennessee will probably cost between $5,000 and $12,000 in total.

Private programs will cost more, ranging from about $10,000 to three times that amount.

Please keep in mind that the length and quality of trade school training programs may vary substantially from school to school, especially in comparing public and private trade schools.

Are There Online Trade Schools in Tennessee?

Yes, you can find online trade school programs, depending on the field. While some trades require your physical presence for hands-on, on-the-job learning, others lend themselves to online study via computer technology.

Explore Trade Schools in Tennessee Today

If learning a trade is the best option for you, explore the bountiful array of trade schools in Tennessee today. You can even study for free.