Since there are many types of trades you could learn and each skilled trade program may take a different amount of time to complete, the cost of learning a trade depends on the program you choose.
How Much Trade School Costs on Average
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost for a student living on-campus at a 2 year institution was $32,379 during the 2019-2020 school year. The average cost for a student living off-campus with family was $21,425 during the same time.
HVAC Technician Training Costs
Tuition for a 9 month to 1 year HVAC technician training program averages between $15,000 and $20,000. That’s the total cost of training before any financial aid is applied.
Automotive Technician Training Costs
A 12 month auto service technician certificate or diploma programs will take about 12 months to complete, and tuition will cost between $15,000 - $20,000. For students who qualify, financial aid can reduce the cost of your mechanic training program.
Electrical Technician Training Costs
A 2-year associate’s degree program in electrical technology, including tuition, books, and other fees, will cost very close to the national average for 2 year schools at about $32,000. As with HVAC and auto mechanic training, financial aid can help you pay for electrical training if you qualify.
Commercial Truck Driver Training Costs
CDL training programs normally take about 6 weeks to a few months to complete and cost roughly $2,000 to $6,000 dollars. Students interested in truck driving as a career may find financial aid for CDL training and some schools do have payment plans.
Help Paying for Trade School
There is a variety of financial help available to students who’d like to attend a trade school and learn a trade.
Financial Aid - Accredited trade schools and technical colleges have financial aid that can be applied for, whether it’s in scholarship, grant, or loan form. There is also state government and federal government funding that can be awarded to students who need financial help. Learn all about financial aid for trade school.
Scholarships - There are merit based and need based scholarships geared towards skilled trade, construction, and technical careers. Learn more about them in our article, list of scholarships for trade school.
GI Bill - Active Duty and Veterans of the US Military can use the GI Bill to help pay for trade school. You need to qualify and enroll at an approved school to use this program. The GI Bill can help pay for tuition, books, and other school supplies.
As a veteran, you may be able to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty, or the Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve depending on your service. Learn all about using the GI bill for trade school.
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