Best Trade Schools in Washington D.C. for 2025

The best trade schools in Washington, D.C. are accredited institutions that offer programs that prepare you for a specific job in the workforce.

If you are interested in starting your career without having to complete a degree program, consider one of the best trade schools in Washington, D.C.

There are also online trade schools in other states that you can complete to start or advance your career in Washington, D.C. Learn more about trade schools below.

Featured Trade Schools in Washington, D.C.

See a brief introduction to the best trade schools in Washington, D.C. below.

1. Career Technical Institute

Career Technical Institute offers several programs in hospitality, healthcare, and more. Examples of CTI's education programs include:

• Medical assistant
• Help desk professional
• Medical office professional

You can also choose a program to become an Information Technology professional or work in human resources administration.

Online courses are available for most programs.

Financial aid is available to help reduce the cost of tuition through federal and state tuition assistance programs.

2. Georgetown University

Georgetown University offers a certificate in applied ophthalmic personnel training program if you are interested in becoming an ophthalmic medical assistant, technician, or medical technologist.

The programs consist of required clinical hours and instruction that teaches you the basics of ophthalmology and develops your understanding of the technician role.

The cost of tuition is about $200 to $6,550 depending on your program options.

For example, tuition is about $3,550 for the Introduction to Ophthalmic Assisting course without clinical rotations.

Other Trade Schools to Consider

Learn about other trade schools that you can complete fully online below.

Ashworth College

Ashworth College provides three career certificate programs and five career diploma programs that you can complete in an online format.

Earn a certificate in automotive automatic transmissions, automotive engine performance, or automotive HVAC.

You can also earn a career diploma in one of the following:

• Carpentry
• Heating and air conditioning
• Home inspection
• Plumbing
• Residential electrician

Many of Ashworth College's online career certificate and diploma programs are offered in partnership with Penn Foster.

Bryant and Stratton College

At Bryant & Stratton College, you can choose between over ten online diploma programs to gain practical experience in a profession that supports your career goals.

Examples of online diploma programs include:

• Criminal justice and security services
• Human and social service
• Medical billing and coding

There are also programs to become a business assistant, hospitality assistant, legal office assistant, digital marketing specialist, and more.

Tuition is $7,860 per semester. Consider a tuition reimbursement program if you are employed or grants and scholarships to help lower tuition costs.

Community College of Rhode Island

The Community College of Rhode Island offers several workforce programs that you can complete in an online format to gain the skills needed to pursue, maintain, or advance your career.

There are programs for five career areas including business and technology, education, healthcare, manufacturing and trades, and renewable energy.

Become a mortgage data processor, teacher assistant, medical assistant, or case manager through a program a CCRI.

Out-of-state tuition is about $6,870 per semester.

Houston Community College

Houston Community College offers several online workforce programs in accounting, business management, fire and safety, marketing, and more.

There are online programs to support your interest in becoming a payroll specialist, web application developer, geographic information science analyst, and more.

Consider a computer programming program if you are interested in becoming a mobile or web application developer.

Complete your online workforce program for $2,043 per semester and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to help lower tuition costs.

Lone Star College

Lone Star College offers workforce programs that you can complete in an online format such as accounting, administrative services, and computer programming.

Choose Lone Star College if you are interested in becoming a construction supervisor, medical assistant, or teacher.

Workforce programs take two years or less to complete based on full-time enrollment.

The cost of tuition is $290 per credit hour. Consider financial aid options to help lower the cost of your tuition.

Minnesota West Community and Technical College

If you are interested in gaining experience for a professional job in an online format, Minnesota West Community and Technical Colleges offers several online diploma programs.

Prepare to become an accountant, administrative assistant, computer support technician, or medical coding specialist through an MWCTC diploma program.

There are also diploma programs in computer telecommunications, practical nursing, business accounting, and more.

Online tuition is $207.44 per credit hour. Find grant and scholarship opportunities to qualify for awards that reduce tuition costs.

Penn Foster

Penn Foster offers many career diploma programs that you can complete in an online format.

Choose a program to become a certified wedding planner, an administrative assistant, or a guest service agent.

There are over 50 programs that help you develop skills for a specific career. Examples of more programs include:

• Interior decorator
• Information technology support specialist
• Travel agent
• Virtual assistant

The length of the programs ranges from one month to a little over one year.

U.S. Career Institute

If you want to complete a short program that provides you with the knowledge and skills for specific positions, US Career Institute is an excellent choice.

Prepare for a career in healthcare, business, or service online at US Career Institute.

There are also programs for skilled trades, legal careers, and wellness careers.

Examples of programs include:

• Pharmacy technician
• Insurance claims adjuster
• Veterinary assistant
• Electrician
• Criminal justice specialist
• Massage therapist

Tuition is about $485 to $1,239 depending on the program.

Common Trade Jobs in Washington, D.C.

The most common trade jobs in Washington, D.C. are those in the fields of education, health services, leisure, and hospitality.

Examples of jobs in these areas include:

• Teacher aide
• Healthcare assistant
• Medical assistant

There are many other important trade jobs in Washington, D.C., and several trade schools to help you build skills in your profession.

How Much Does Trade School Cost in Washington, D.C.?

Programs at trade schools in Washington, D.C. cost about $200 to $6,550 depending on the program.

Some programs allow you to apply for financial aid to help with tuition costs.

Are There Online Trade Schools in Washington, D.C.

Career Technical Institute, in Washington D.C., offers several online courses.

If you are interested in more online trade schools, there are many more in other states.

Find an online trade school to complete educational studies related to the job of your choice.

Explore Trade Schools Today

Explore the best trade schools in Washington, D.C., and other accredited institutions that offer online workforce programs that prepare you for a specific role in an industry that supports your career goals.