10 Best Trade Schools inStockton, CA

Page Navigation

This page takes a look at the best trade schools in Stockton, California.

Trade schools, also known as vocational schools or technical schools, are a viable alternative to a four-year college because they are usually less expensive and can get you employment-ready after only a few months of training.

Stockton is home to many great trade schools who offer career training in a variety of fields, including allied health, beauty and transportation.

There are many great options out there so take your time and be selective.



1Bradford College of Nursing

Bradford College of Nursing is offering educational programs for allied health professionals.

The school is located in the heart of Stockton.

The facility has 3 admin offices, 3 classrooms, 4 skills lab rooms, a computer lab, a library, equipment and supplies room, and restrooms.

Bradford College of Nursing is a private institution approved to operate by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).

Enrollment. Admission requirements vary by program.

Applicants to the Nursing Assistant Program must be at least 16 years of age, must pass the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test with a verbal score of at least 200 and a quantitative score of at least 210.

To enroll in the Home Health Aide program you must be a Certified Nursing Assistant.

Fees. Total costs vary between $475-$15,575.

The institution offers an in-house financing.

Courses offered:

  • CNA – Nursing Assistant Training Program
  • HHA – Home Health Aide Training Program
  • Medical Assistant Program
  • RN to BSN

Contact information:


2Carrington College

Carrington College offers educational programs for those who want to start a career in healthcare.

The programs are designed to provide hands-on training that uses technologies and processes that are used in the field.

The program is designed to connect students with the health care community through clinical rotations or externships with local medical professionals to help students build their resume while they are still in school.

Carrington College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC/WASC) and approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

Fees. Total costs vary between $14,477-$15,737, depending on the program.

Costs include an externship, general education course, books and supplies, fees and tuition.

Financial aid is available to qualifying students.

Courses offered:

  • Criminal Justice: Corrections
  • Dental Assisting
  • Massage Therapy
  • Medical Administrative Assistant
  • Medical Assisting
  • Medical Billing and Coding
  • Pharmacy Technology
  • Veterinary Technology

Contact information:


3UEI College

UEI College offers vocational and trade programs in industries such as business, HVAC, and medical/dental.

The Stockton campus was opened in 2011 and is a 35,000 square feet facility with 21 classrooms, two business labs, six dental labs, eight allied health labs, four HVAC labs, and one information technology lab.

The campus also has a resource center, computer labs, break rooms and study rooms.

Students learn from industry professionals through hands-on training.

School staff also offer tutoring and office hours.

Stockton campus is accredited by the Accrediting Council for
Continuing Education and Training (ACCET).

Enrollment. Applicants to UEI College must be at least 17 years of age and must hold a high school diploma or GED.

Applicants 18 years of age or older, who are not high school graduates or GED holders, may apply as ability-to-benefit students.

Fees. Total tuition is $19,900; it also includes a $50 registration fee.

Courses offered:

  • Business Officer Administrator
  • Dental Assistant
  • Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Office Specialist

Contact information:


4Altamont Healthcare

Altamont Healthcare offers educational programs for sterilization and EKG technicians.

The school is approved to operate by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).

The school’s sterile technician course only takes five weeks.

Graduates are qualified to take a national and/or international certification conducted by the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) and the National Competency for Certification Testing (NCCT).

Enrollment. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school level education or GED and possess an ID.

Fees. The registration fee and tuition fee is the same across the EKG and SPD Technician programs.

Registration is $420 and the remaining tuition is $1,980.

The CPR/BLS Certification course is $75.

The school offers a discounted rate of $50 for Altamont Healthcare students and alumni.

Courses offered:

  • SPDT Certification Program
  • EKG Tech Program
  • Surgical Tech Program
  • CPR/BLS Certification
  • Externship Program
  • Endoscope Reprocessing Certification

Contact information:


5California College of Barbering and Cosmetology

California College of Barbering and Cosmetology is offering courses for those who want to get a state license in the beauty services industry.

The College offers courses in Cosmetology, Esthetics, Manicure, and Barbering.

Barbers and Cosmetologists can also take crossover courses which allow them to quickly get licensed in the other field.

California College of Barbering and Cosmetology is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education and accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.

The College is licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs
Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

Enrollment. California College of Barbering and Cosmetology accepts as regular students individuals who have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Students must be 17 years of age or older at the time they apply for the California State Barbering and Cosmetology Board Licensing Exam.

The school also accepts ability-to-benefit students.

Fees. Total costs are between $3,550-$19,350, depending on the program.

Courses offered:

  • Cosmetology
  • Barbering
  • Barber Crossover for Cosmetologists
  • Cosmetology Crossover for Barbers
  • Esthetician
  • Manicuring
  • Student Instructor

Contact information:

  • California College of Barbering and Cosmetology: 1024 E March Ln, Stockton, CA 95210
  • Phone: (209) 952-5318
  • Website: http://calcbc.com

6Advance Bus & Truck Driving School

Advance Bus & Truck Driving School is offering Class A, B Truck Driving & Bus Driving Programs.

The school is offering small class sizes to allow for one-on-one focused training.

Advance Bus & Truck Driving School is approved by B.P.P.E.

Enrollment. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and over 21 to drive interstate.

They need a high school diploma or equivalent, or pass an Ability-to-Benefit exam or hold a California Commercial Learner Permit.

Prospective students also need a Social Security Card, a birth certificate, and 2 documents of proof of residency.

Fees. Total fees are between $2,810-$5,930, depending on the program.

The Forklift certification program costs $140.

Courses offered:

  • SuperSession Truck and Bus Training (196 hours)
  • Advanced Class A Truck Driver Training (160 hours)
  • Advanced Class B Truck or Bus Driver Training (128 hours)
  • Refresher Course Class A & B Truck or Bus Driver Training (60 hours)
  • Forklift Certification (4 hours)

Contact information:

  • Advance Bus & Truck Driving School: 1401 South Fresno Ave., Stockton  CA  95206
  • Phone: 209 939 9494
  • Website: http://advancebustruck.com

7Xavier College

Xavier College is offering educational programs for those who want to start a career as Vocational Nurses.

The course can be completed in 11 months.

The program covers topics such as Fundamentals of Nursing, Anatomy of Physiology, Nutrition, Pharmacological Nursing, Human Development, Gerontology Nursing, Mental Health, Nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Maternity Leadership, and Supervision.

After graduation, students can apply for State Board authorization to take the licensing examination.

Xavier College is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education and by the Board of Vocational and Psychiatric Technicians.

The College is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

The school is also approved for veterans’ benefits for eligible veterans and dependents.

Enrollment. Applicants must be at least 17 years of age and show proof of 12th-grade education (high school diploma, GED or HS proficiency).

Prospective students also have to pass an entrance test.

Fees. Total tuition is $25,370 for the Vocational Nursing Program.

Additional charges (application fee, textbooks, uniforms, insurance, etc.) sum up to $1,630.

Xavier College is approved for federal financial aid.

Contact information:


8Western Pacific Truck School

Western Pacific Truck School is offering training programs for those who want to start a career as professional truck drivers.

Western Pacific Truck School was founded in 1977.

The school prepares students for their Class A License, Forklift License, and more.

Western Pacific Truck School is a private institution approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

Enrollment. Applicants must be able to read, write and understand English.

They need a proof of high school diploma, GED or equivalent or pass an Ability to Benefit test.

Prospective students also must pass a Department of Transportation physical, obtain a DMV print-out and have an acceptable driving record.

Students also need a current driver’s license, a Social Security Card and must pass a drug screen.

All students must be 18 years of age or older; interstate drivers must be at least 21.

Fees. Tuition for the Tractor-Trailer Operator Program is approximately $4,500.

The registration fee is $250.

Courses offered:

  • Class A
  • Class B
  • Forklift Certification

Contact information:


9Advanced College

Advanced College is a vocational nursing and allied health school with campuses in Stockton, Southgate, and Salida.

The College offers programs in career education including Associate degree and certificate.

The school also offers a variety of day and evening programs, including distance education courses (online and hybrid/blended courses).

Advanced College is approved to operate by the Bureau for Private and Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and nationally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE).

Enrollment. Applicants need transcripts of previously completed high school or college.

Prospective students must pass an entrance exam and pay a non-refundable $100 registration fee.

At the start of the program, applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Fees. Total costs vary between $2,500-$35,000, including tuition, registration, uniform, Certification exam costs, supplies, technology fee, and books.

Financial aid is available to qualifying students.

Courses offered:

The following courses are offered at the Stockton campus:

  • Vocational Nursing
  • Phlebotomy
  • Associate of Science in Surgical Technology
  • Associate of Applied Science in Health Care Management

Contact information:


10Inspire Academy of Barbering & Cosmetology

Inspire Academy of Barbering & Cosmetology is an independent Barbering and Cosmetology Academy located in Stockton, California.

The Academy offers Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetics, and Manicuring courses.

After graduation students are eligible to sit for the state licensing exam.

The hours for the school’s full-time program are, Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for the part-time program.

Inspire Academy of Barbering & Cosmetology has been licensed to operate in the State of California by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).

The school is also licensed by the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

Enrollment. Applicants need a copy of their high school diploma or equivalent.

Those who don’t have a high school diploma or GED must have completed the 10th-grade education level or its equivalent.

Otherwise qualified students who do not have a high school diploma or GED must take and pass the Online Wonderlic Placement Exam.

Applicants must be at least 17 years of age.

Fees. Total costs (including tuition, equipment & books, registration fee) vary between $4,500-$16,950.

Courses offered:

  • Cosmetology
  • Barbering (1500 hours)
  • Esthetics
  • Manicuring

Contact information:


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants350$64,640$31.08$95,020$47,840
Medical Records Specialists360$72,920$35.06$105,670$39,410
Nursing Assistants2,170$44,240$21.27$48,590$37,290
Dental Assistants760$52,520$25.25$72,870$39,870
Medical Assistants1,760$50,030$24.05$72,640$36,730
Phlebotomists160$56,340$27.09$74,860$39,160
Electricians1,140$76,840$36.94$118,420$40,290
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters510$67,740$32.57$106,430$38,490
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1,250$57,810$27.79$77,260$36,830
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers460$61,910$29.77$84,860$39,190
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Stockton-Lodi, CA metropolitan statistical area, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

The right vocational training program can help you get employment-ready in a matter of months.

Stockton has many great trade schools for you to choose from.

Before choosing where to enroll, you should review all your options.

Take into account all the relevant factors (costs, schedule, job placement rate, graduation rate, student reviews, etc.) and make sure the school is trustworthy and accredited by government institutions.


USA FlagTrade Schools by City in California

See all schools in California >