10 Best Trade Schools inAlabama

Page Navigation

This article compiles information about the best trade schools in Alabama.

The aim of this compilation is to help potential students decide where is the best place to further their education.

We also want to help you gather all the information needed before selecting a particular place to study (costs, duration, enrollment requirements etc.)

The institutions presented in the article offer high-quality training in various educational departments, such as:

  • Medical Care
  • Beauty Training
  • Massage Therapy
  • Real-estate Classes
  • and others

There are many great options out there so we invite you to read this article and, depending on your skills and interests, decide where you want to start building a successful career.



State FlagTrade Schools by City


1Montgomery Dental Assistant School

At Montgomery Dental Assistant School students learn Dental Assisting through hands-on experience.

Classes are held in a dental office and students graduate after 9 weeks of training.

Students will complete the classes and a 40-hour Externship (which begins around Class 4) at a local dental office. They also have the option of selecting a dental office to extern at or being placed at a local dental office to complete the externship.

The school is a division of Vandelay Education LLC. It Licensed and regulated by the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education and the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

Enrollment: Applicants must have:

  • A high school diploma or GED. Applicants who are unable to provide proof of secondary education may be accepted if they pass the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test (Verbal 200 and Quantitative 210).
  • An up-to-date immunization record.
  • A government-issued photo ID.
  • Down payment made before the class.

Fees: Tuition costs vary between $2,450, if paid and full, and 2,545 with a weekly payment plan.

Contact information:


2Birmingham Dental Assistant School

Birmingham Dental Assistant School is helping students build a new career in 12 weeks.

The school offers weekend classes and hands-on learning. The classes are held in a dental office and all their instruction are experienced, dental assistants.

The school aims to provide students with both the experience and confidence they will need to build successful careers.

Graduates also complete a 40-hour externship in a local dental office.

Enrollment. The enrollment process is easy:

  • Call or text to set up an appointment to tour the school and fill out an application.
  • You will be contacted by an Admissions Associate if you are accepted into the program.
  • Put a deposit down to reserve your spot in the class.
  • Submit your registration documents.

Applicants must have:

  • A high school diploma or GED. Applicants who are unable to provide proof of secondary education may be accepted if they pass the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test (Verbal 200 and Quantitative 210).
  • An up-to-date immunization record.
  • A government-issued photo ID.
  • A down payment made before the first day of class.

Fees. The tuition fee for their 12-week program varied between $3,350 and $3,510 (depending on the payment plan).

Contact information:


3FORTIS College in Mobile

FORTIS College is offering hands-on training for individuals who want to start a new career in health care or other skilled trained businesses.

Many of their programs offer day and evening classes, so students can pick the program that best fits their schedule.

The college is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). It is also licensed and approved by the Private School Unit, Alabama Department of Education and by the State Approval Agency for the Training of Veterans

Enrollment. To qualify for admission in most cases you must be a high-school graduate or its equivalent.

During a personal interview, the college admission representative will review your life career goals to help you find the right program.

Applicants are also asked to complete and applicant information form.

Fees. The enrollment fee is $100 and the tuition fee starts from $14,811 to $18,050, depending on the program.

Financial aid is available for students who qualify.

Courses offered:

  • Dental Assisting
  • Medical Assisting
  • Pharmacy Technology
  • Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration
  • Medical Office Administration

Contact information:


4Ross Medical Education Center Huntsville

Opened in 2014, the Ross Medical Education Center Huntsville campus offers a variety of healthcare education programs.

Enrollment. Students entering Ross Medical Education Centre must have graduated from a valid high-school must have completed a recognized equivalent(GED), or must have completed secondary education in a setting that is treated as a home-school or private school under state law.

Each Student has to satisfactorily complete an evaluation that measures general ability. The evaluation used is Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam.

Students holding an earned associate or higher degree from an accredited college or university are exempt from the academic assessment minimum score requirement. Proof of degree must be provided.

Fees. Tuition fees starts from $6,720 to $7,575, depending on the program.

Courses offered:

  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Insurance Billing and Office Administration
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Veterinary Assistant

Contact Information:


5Huntsville Dental Assistant School

Huntsville Dental Assistant School offers students the chance to build a new career in just 12 weeks of training.

With classes held directly in a dental office, the school offers hands-on education at an affordable price. The training sessions are held on Saturdays by experienced dental assistants.

Enrollment: Applicants must have:

  • A high school diploma or GED. Applicants who are unable to provide proof of secondary education may be accepted if they pass the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test (Verbal 200 and Quantitative 210).
  • An up-to-date immunization record.
  • A government-issued photo ID.
  • Down payment made before the class.

Fees. Tuition fee varies between $3,350 and $3,510, depending on the payment plan.

Contact Information:


6ABC Bartending School

ABC trains students to become professional bartenders/mixologists. After graduating from the 2-week bartending class you are ready to work in any bar in the world.

All classes will be hands-on training. Classrooms are set up in a real working bar setting. This helps students feel comfortable working behind a bar at course completion and be able to go out and work as a bartender in any type of bar.

At course completion, you will receive job placement.

The school provides assistance on the last day of graduation. Graduates will be able to access job openings from the school’s website.

The textbook will have a chapter dedicated to interviewing skills as well.

Enrollment. Future students can enroll by filling out a form on the school’s website.

Fees. The total tuition fee is $295, with a $100 deposit to start.

Courses offered:

The ABC Bartending School offers a Full Bartender Certification Course.

Contact information:


7Birmingham School of Massage

The Birmingham School of Massage is providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as massage therapists.

Career opportunities are many. Massage therapists work in chiropractic and orthopedic offices, health clubs, corporate settings, private practices, hair and nail salons, for professional sports teams, spas, and resorts.

The school offers day and evening classes.

Students at Birmingham School of Massage will take classes in anatomy, physiology, bodywork, and business.

Enrollment. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Applicants must have a high-school diploma or GED

After having a tour of the Birmingham School of Massage, applicants must complete an interview with a school administrator

Fees. The application fee is $50 and the tuition fee is $7,600. The school also offers 6 in-house payment plans.

Contact Information:

  • The Birmingham School of Massage is located at 1776 Independence Ct #202 Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
  • Phone: 205.414.1477
  • Toll-Free: 866.414.1477
  • Website: http://birminghamschool.com

8New Beginning College of Cosmetology

New Beginning College of Cosmetology is focused on proving cosmetology education that is both informative and exciting.

The school teaching staff have 50 years of combined experienced in the cosmetology industry.

Accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Carrer Arts & Sciences, the New Beginning College of Cosmetology is also a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools.

The school offers both day and night classes.

Enrollment. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older.

Applicants must provide a social security card and a valid driver’s license.

Applicants must provide a high-school diploma or GED.

All prospective students will have a personal interview with the Admissions Officer prior to admission.

Students who want to enroll in the instructor program must have a cosmetology license and be licensed for a year prior to enrollment.

Fees. The enrollment fee is $150. The total tuition fee is around $13,500 for Cosmetology classes and around $3,000 for Cosmetology Instructor classes.

Financial aid is also available for students who qualify.

Courses offered:

New Beginning College of Cosmetology offers a Cosmetology program and a Cosmetology Instructor program.

Contact Information:


9My Real Estate School

My Real Estate School is the oldest and largest real-estate school in Alabama.

The school’s mission is to provide quality real-estate education that is affordable and convenient.

They offer classes at several locations in Alabama. Online classes are also available.

In order to get an Alabama real estate license you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be 19 years of age or older.
  • Have a high school diploma or GED
  • No Felonies involving moral turpitude
  • Take and pass prescribed 60 hours pre-license course
  • Pass multiple choice state license exam with a minimum score of 70%

Fees. The cost of the classroom licensing course is $299 with a $99.87 fee for books/materials and support.

The fee for the online licensing course is $299.

The cost for the broker licensing course is $295.

Courses offered:

  • Real Estate Licensing Course
  • Continuing Education
  • Broker Exam Courses
  • 30-hour Post License
  • Specialty Workshops
  • Home Appraisal Courses
  • Cram Courses
  • Home Inspection Courses

Contact Information:


10Alabama Pipe Welders Academy

The Alabama Pipe Welders Academy is a owner-operated school.

Classes are composed of only 5 students max to guarantee a high-quality training. School instructors have 50 years of combined experience in the field.

The school also offers a 1 on 1 training per student.

Students can choose between morning, afternoon and night classes.

There is an AWS certified welding inspector on staff.

The school also provides NDT training.

Fees. Tuition fees start from $5,000 to $13,500, depending on the class.

The prices are decided during a pre-screen evaluation, depending on prior experience and comprehension.

Financial aids are also available for Alabama residents who are considered low income or have been laid off.

Each student is responsible for coming prepared with their own equipment. Students can purchase a tool kit through the school for $500.

Courses offered:

  • COMBO Pipe
  • GTAW Pipe
  • SMAW Pipe
  • MIG Pipe
  • Pipeline Course
  • Pipefitting

Contact Information:

  • The Alabama Pipe Welders Academy is located at
  • Phone:
  • Website:

Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants4,000$53,450$25.70$74,820$35,210
Medical Records Specialists2,540$42,970$20.66$62,710$28,390
Nursing Assistants22,430$31,280$15.04$37,470$23,910
Dental Assistants4,630$37,440$18.00$47,770$28,650
Medical Assistants12,360$34,160$16.42$42,700$24,960
Phlebotomists2,490$35,940$17.28$43,900$29,190
Electricians10,250$54,490$26.20$74,920$36,310
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters7,250$52,860$25.42$70,090$35,260
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics9,320$48,700$23.42$77,840$29,050
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers6,900$49,380$23.74$68,690$30,600
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Alabama, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

Alabama offers a variety of places where you can learn a new trade while gaining hands-on experience.

All you have to do is decide what is your dream job and start searching for the institution that is best suited to your educational needs.

Before deciding which trade school is the right place to start building a successful career, make sure the institution is trustworthy and the classes are accredited by the government institutes.