10 Best Trade Schools inTucson, AZ

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This page includes information about some of the best trade schools in Tucson, Arizona.

The institutions presented in our list offer career-focused programs that can get you job-ready in a matter of months.

Whether you want to become a dental assistant, a licensed esthetician or a professional truck driver, there are many alternatives you can choose from.

Choosing the school that will prepare you for your future career is a really big step so it is important to gather information about all your options before deciding on a specific training program.

Let’s see what Tucson trade schools have to offer!



1Southern Arizona Barber College

Southern Arizona Barber College teaches the skills needed for starting a career as a professional barber.

Founded in 1959, SABC is the oldest barber college in Arizona.

The Barbering course consists of 250 hours of classroom instruction and 1,250 hours of practice.

The classroom instruction covers a variety of topics, such as the history of barbering, professional image, bacteriology, infection control, and safe work practices, tools and equipment, anatomy and physiology, chemistry, Arizona State Board rules & regulations, and much more.

During the barber training period, students get to practice haircuts for men and women, shaving, shampooing, facial and massage treatments, scalp treatments, basic hair styling, coloring, hygiene and sanitation and much more.

Full-time students are expected to complete the program in 10 months while part-time students graduate in 12 months.

Enrollment. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and have completed the 10th grade.

Students must receive their high school diploma or GED by the time they graduate.

Fees. The total program cost is $8,500; this includes tuition, application and registration fees, and books & tools.

Courses offered:

  • Barber/Styling program

Contact information:


2HDS Truck Driving Institute

HDS Truck Driving Institute offers CDL training for future truck drivers.

The programs combine classroom, range, and on-the-road training and students can become ready to drive in as few as 4 weeks.

HDS Truck Driving Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and licensed by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division.

The school offers job placement to all students and graduates.

The CDL Training Program consists of classroom and range training.

Students spend their first week in the classroom preparing to pass the written permit test.

At the end of the program, one of the school’s experienced trainers will supervise student’s on-the-road training.

The school also offers a Professional Truck Driver Training Program.

After successfully obtaining their CDL, students will complete their externship under the guidance of a driver-trainer with a qualified trucking company.

Enrollment. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, must be able to read and understand highway traffic signs and need to have completed a driver’s road test.

Those who want to obtain a commercial driver’s license through a truck driving school need a Social Security Card, proof of identity and age, proof of residency and proof of insurance.

Fees. Tuition for the 26-week Undergraduate certificate in Truck and Bus Driver/Commercial Vehicle Operator and Instructor is $10,995.

Courses offered:

  • CDL Training Program (Class A & B License)
  • CDL Training Program (Class B License)
  • Professional Truck Driver Training Program – 26 weeks

Contact information:


3Images Enterprises LLC

Images Enterprises LLC offers training programs designed to get students ready for a variety of career paths; the school’s training programs span from CDL Truck Driver Training to Accounting.

The school provides quality training at affordable prices.

Images Enterprises LLC provides online and on-site classes.

Students learn from instructors with years of experience in their field.

The school offers job placement assistance on selected programs; assistance consists of providing employer lists, help with writing applications for employment, resume building and cover letters.

Images Enterprises LLC is licensed by Arizona Board for Private Postsecondary Education.

Fees. The prices of online classes vary between $19,99-$2,499.

Courses offered:

The school offers training programs in the following fields:

  • Accounting and Business
  • CDL Truck Driver Training
  • Construction Training
  • Landscape Training
  • Pest Control
  • Permanent Makeup
  • Aesthetics

Contact information:

  • Tucson location: 3820 S Palo Verde Road, Suite 113, Tucson, AZ 85714
  • CDL driving range: 2537 E Benson Highway, Tucson, AZ 85706
  • Phone: (520)777-6462
  • Website: https://eiitraining.com

4Academy for Caregiving Excellence

The Academy for Caregiving Excellence is training students for future careers in healthcare.

The Academy was founded in 2015 by healthcare experts with over 25 years of experience in their fields.

The school offers flexible schedules including weekday and weekend classes.

After completing the CNA/Caregiver dual program students will be certified as a Nursing Assistants and also Assistant Living Caregivers.

The course consists of 125 training hours, including classroom lectures, skills training and 40 hours of off-site clinical training.

Enrollment. Prospective students need a high school diploma or GED or they must pass an admissions exam (depending on the program).

The CNA Bridge and CNA Advanced placement programs require previous healthcare experience.

Fees. Tuition varies by program.

The Certified Nursing Assistant/Caregiver dual program costs $2,520 ($1,995 for current certified Caregivers).

Tuition for the 62-hour Assisted Living Caregiver Course costs $595; students will have to pay an additional $65 exam fee.

Courses offered:

  • Nursing Assistant
  • Assisted Living Caregiver
  • CNA Bridge
  • CNA-Advanced Placement

Contact information:


5Tucson Dental Assistant School

Tucson Dental Assistant School is helping its students start a new career in only 12 weeks.

The school aims to provide high-quality hands-on education that is both affordable and convenient for students.

Classes are held inside a working dental office on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

School instructors are dental assistants with years of experience in practicing the techniques they teach.

The school’s curriculum includes the following topics: dental anatomy, radiology, dental impressions, anesthesia, and medical emergencies.

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

Students who graduate from Tucson Dental Assistant School receive their Dental Assistant Certificate, which states that they are ready to work as Dental Assistants.

Additionally, students receive their BLS (CPR) certification in class through the American Heart Association; the school covers the cost of the Radiation and Health Safety exam, which is administered by the DANB.

The Tucson Dental Assistant School is licensed and regulated by the Arizona Board for Private Postsecondary Education.

Fees. Tuition is $3,350, if paid in full.

The school also offers flexible payment plans.

Contact information:


6Tucson College of Beauty

Tucson College of Beauty offers training programs for future cosmetologists, estheticians, hairstylists and nail technicians.

The school prepares students for the State Board exams and equips them with the skills needed to reach their maximum potential in career opportunities.

TCOB is partnered with Paul Mitchell, a Dermalogica Partner School, a Kryolan Makeup Partner School, and a MAC Cosmetics Affiliated School.

The school is licensed by the Arizona State Board of Cosmetology and accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS).

Enrollment. Applicants need a high school diploma or GED, a picture ID and a Social Security Card.

Fees. Tuition is $15,500 for the Cosmetology program, 12,000 for the Hairstyling class, $7,800 for the Esthetics program, and 5,800 for the Nail Technician class.

Students also have to pay a $50 registration fee and a $50 Application fee.

Kit fees vary between $1,000-$2,500, depending on the program.

Book & Lab Fees are between $300-$600.

Financial aid options are also available to students who qualify.

Courses offered:

  • Cosmetology
  • Esthetics
  • Hairstyling
  • Nail Technician
  • Student Instructor

Contact information:


7Aveda Institute Tucson

Aveda Institute offers training programs in Cosmetology, Esthiology and Cosmetology/Esthiology Education at its Tucson campus.

The school’s 1600-hour Cosmetology program is offered 3 days a week; the program can be completed in 14 months.

Cosmetology students learn haircutting, hair coloring, hair styling, basic waxing, makeup application, state rules and regulations, manicures, pedicures, business skills and much more.

The 600-hours Esthiology program is offered both as a full-time and part-time program.

Esthiology students learn about nutrition, anatomy, physiology, an intro to microdermabrasion, basic facial massage, body scrubs, full body waxing, anti-aging treatments and much more.

Aveda Institute Tucson is Accredited by National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.

Enrollment. Applicants need a copy of High School Diploma, High School Transcript or GED.

Students must graduate high school before the course starts.

Fees. The Cosmetology program costs $21,500; the Esthiology program costs $12,300, if completed within normal time.

Aveda Institute Tucson is approved by the Arizona State Approving Agency for Veteran Educational Benefits.

Courses offered:

  • Cosmetology
  • Esthiology
  • Cosmetology Educator/Esthiology Educator

Contact information:


8Arizona Contractor License Center

The Arizona Contractor License Center is Arizona’s leading contractor’s exam school.

The school offers classes for all types of contractors taught by industry professionals.

Founded in 1972, the school is training Arizona Contractors to pass the Arizona State Contractors licensing exams through their exam preparation services.

The center guarantees that students will pass the exam; students who fail the exam will receive their money back.

The Arizona Contractor License Center is also offering state application filling services.

The school’s licensing specialists work with students to determine which Arizona Contractor license they need.

The preparation process for the Business Management Test includes a comprehensive video presentation of topics covered in the test: entity types, bonds, insurance, employer obligations, liens, project management and more.

Fees. The fee for Trade Test preparation is $250. The fee for Business Management (CBME) test preparation is $150.

Courses offered:

  • Business Management Test Preparation
  • Trade Test preparation

Contact information:

  • Arizona Contractor License Center- Tucson Campus: 1505 N Wilmot, Tucson, AZ 85712
  • Phone: 520-296-8523
  • Toll-Free: (866) 332-8453
  • Website: https://www.azclc.com

9Southwest Truck Driving Training, Inc

Southwest Truck Driving Training, Inc. is a CDL training school with campuses in Arizona and Nevada.

Founded in 1999 by Gary P. Williams and a handful of family members and friends, Southwest Truck Driving Training is an independent truck driving school offering affordable high-quality CDL Training.

The school has several bilingual instructors ready to help students who need assistance in the Spanish-to-English language conversion.

Each campus has expert training staff and the top grade industry equipment.

All graduates will receive lifetime Job Placement Assistance in all types of jobs in the transportation field.

Southwest Truck Driver Training is licensed by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division for Class A, B, C, and Bus Training.

The school employs 3rd Party Testers for on-site CDL testing.

The school offers two CDL A training programs: a 120-hour group training program and a 160-hour program.

Students spend up to two-thirds of their time practicing hands-on skills training on the road or at the school’s state-of-the-art truck driving range.

Class B CDL students spend half of their truck driving time practicing hands-on skills on the road and at the school’s range; they learn how to conduct pre-trip inspections, backing and driving.

The 40-hour of classroom learning covers routes planning, maps reading, cargo handling, developing defensive driving habits, rules and regulations and more.

SWDTD offers several sources to assist with CDL training cost: state grants, in-house financing, and GI Bill®

Courses offered:

  • Class A CDL
  • Class B CDL
  • RV Training
  • Refresher Course
  • Military

Contact information:

  • Tucson campus: 1230 W. Glenn St., Tucson, AZ 85705
  • Phone: 833-234-8468
  • Website: https://swtdt.com

10Hogan School of Real Estate

Hogan School of Real Estate offers salesperson’s prelicensing, Arizona broker licensing courses and continuing education, mortgage lending, and appraisal courses.

Hogan has partnered with Arizona School of Real Estate and Business (ASREB), based in Scottsdale.

Those who want to get their real estate salespersons license in Arizona must attend a 90-hour pre-licensing program, be at least 18 years of age, have proof of legal presence in the United States, pass a school exam and a state exam, and attend a 6-hour contract writing course.

They also have to disclose all Misdemeanor and Felony Convictions and need to obtain a Criminal Clearance Card from the Department of Public Safety.

Fees vary by program.

The online pre-licensing course costs $559, while the Broker course costs $659.

Courses offered:

Licensing courses

  • Real Estates Sales
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Loan Originator Licensing – Classroom
  • Loan Originator Licensing – Online
  • Appraisal – Classroom
  • Appraisal – Online
  • Mortgage Broker Licensing

License Renewal Courses

  • Real Estate CE – Classroom
  • Real Estate CE – Online
  • Loan Originator Renewal – Classroom
  • Loan Originator Renewal – Online
  • Appraisal CE – Classroom
  • Appraisal CE – Online

Contact information:


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants810$56,670$27.24$76,680$36,940
Medical Records Specialists500$49,150$23.63$67,700$35,550
Nursing Assistants2,220$39,260$18.88$45,750$33,690
Dental Assistants1,010$44,650$21.47$56,870$35,550
Medical Assistants3,710$40,250$19.35$45,200$35,250
Phlebotomists230$40,160$19.31$47,590$33,890
Electricians1,280$57,230$27.52$80,700$37,110
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters940$54,660$26.28$78,350$38,620
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics2,290$49,970$24.03$76,840$31,510
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers1,590$52,050$25.02$74,140$33,270
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Tucson, AZ metropolitan statistical area, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

The right trade school can provide you with the skills you need for starting a rewarding career in a matter of months.

This is why you have to explore all your option before deciding on a trade school.

Doing your own research is vital before making such a big decision.

We advise you to take into consideration some important factors, such as school accreditation, job placement, graduation rate, student reviews, etc.


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