10 Best Trade Schools inAtlanta, GA

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Trade schools are an excellent option for the students that want to acquire a new craft.

The programs are much shorter compared to the usual college degree, helping you to get to work faster.

Atlanta offers countless options suitable for every students and lots of interesting programs.

We selected the best 10 trade schools in this city and detailed information on the prices, curriculum and job perspective to help you select the best career path.



1Atlanta Professional Bartending School

With a history of more than 40 years, Atlanta Professional Bartending Schools is an excellent place to learn this fun and profitable craft.

The teachers are very experienced experts that will teach you all the tricks of this great trade.

This school is the only one in Atalnta that offers 3 courses in one tuition rate, helping you get all the needed skills for an amazing career.

The programs are recognized by many hospitality companies and the school also offers jobs placement at the end of your studies.

Classes can be scheduled in morning, afternoon, weekend, or even in a one week accelerated class. The courses run for 50 hours and they are made of 10 four hour classes and a 10-hour training.

The tuition for each courses depend on the schedule chosen and on the pace of learning and the enrollment process is easy, requiring just a high-school diploma and a basic background check.

Courses offered

  • Bartending/Mixology- Includes everything needed to master the flair of the bartender and over 100 mixology recipes.
  • ServSafe Alcohol Training- It teaches the standard of safe alcohol serving and preparation.
  • Beer and Wine- Learn everything about beer and wine and how to pair, recommend and serve them.

Contact Information

  • Atlanta Professional Bartending School: 3754 Buford Highway, Suite C1, NE Brookhaven, Georgia 30329
  • Email: info_atl@pbsa.com
  • Phone: (404) 321-5856 or 1 800 BARTEND
  • Website: https://www.atlantabartendingschool.com/

2Lanier Technical College

Modern and with lots of programs, Lanier Technical College is a great place to jump-start a new career in the technical field.

The college is part of the very large and respected Technical College System of Georgia family, an educational alliance with an excellent tradition.

The college has a multitude of study schedules that will fit any need and career dream and you can also apply for scholarships.

The trade courses are available all around the year and the tuition for in-state students is reduced.

Tuition cost for trade program starts at 2133 USD and the highest price reaches 7199 USD, including the admission fee, textbooks, materials and the exam costs.

In addition, the college also offers free classes for specific student categories and English classes for the international students looking to start a new career at this school.

The admission for new student requires a high school transcript or an equivalent document while for military veterans or transfer students the admission criteria may differ depending on the program chosen. In addition, the admission process requires an ACCUPLACER, SAT, or ACT test score to be sent to the admission office.

Courses offered

  • Air conditioning technology
  • Cosmetology
  • Nurse aide
  • Phlebotomy technician
  • Esthetician
  • Culinary arts
  • Dental assisting and many more

Contact information


3Gwinnett Technical College

Renowned for having one of the highest job placement rates in the state, Gwinnett Technical College is a great place to study.

The college offers over 140 courses and degree programs and also focuses on trade classes and adult education.

The local campus offers amazing study and practice opportunities and it’s considered a great place to be in Georgia.

Besides the fact that the college offers financial aid, you can also benefit from military and special scholarships that will help you get the career of your dreams in the shortest time possible.

Tuition cost depends on the chosen program but the admission fee is 418 USD. Each credit hour is 100 USD for in-state students, 200 USD for out-state students and 400 USD for foreign students. In addition, seniors don’t have to pay per credit hour and they just have to submit the admission fee, this aspect helping everyone reach their educational dreams, no matter the age.

The admission process depends on the program and for example, the dual-enrollment students must be at lest 14 years old, regular students at least 16 and health and cosmetology applicants must be at least 17. High-school graduates must submit a diploma transcript or an equivalent like GED or HISET and a residency proof is required for the special credit price.

Courses offered

  • Certified Nursing Assistance (CNA)
  • Culinary arts
  • Barbering and cosmetology
  • Dental assisting
  • Welding
  • Air Conditioning technology and many more interesting choices

Contact information

  • Gwinnett Technical College 5150 Sugarloaf Parkway Lawrenceville, GA 30043
  • Phone: 770-962-7580
  • Mail: admissions@GwinnettTech.edu
  • Website: https://gwinnetttech.edu/

4Lincoln College of Technology

With a long history and many successful generations, Lincoln Tech is one of the best places to start a new career.

The campus has cutting-edge technology and practice areas that are recognized for their quality and contribution to education.

The programs are very diverse and they offer short certificate programs and degrees suitable for everyone.

Students can benefit from many scholarships and financial aid as well as special training programs that will differentiate them from all the other students in similar programs.

Studying here will not be boring given that the campus has many leisure activities and the campus is close to many interesting attractions and socializing areas.

Tuition cost can be modified by scholarships or financial aid. Overall, a short program like HVAC will cost around 40000 USD without any financial aid. To help students focus on their studies and worry less about finance, the college can help with educational loans that you will begin paying after getting a job.

The admission process is very easy and it consists in submitting a high school diploma or an equivalent, especially for trade programs. The students that want to apply for financial aid must submit additional documents.

Courses offered

  • Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
  • Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology
  • Medical Assistant Technology
  • Medical Assistant

Contact information


5Dental Assisting School of Georgia

If you are planning to start a new career in the dental assisting field, Dental Assisting School of Georgia is the perfect place to start.

Students will be provided with state-of-the art training and skills practice over the course of just a few weeks of training.

The students will practice their skills in a dental office and benefit from the experience and expertise of some of the most remarkable dental assistants and experts in the whole state.

The structure of the program is very flexible and you can opt for Saturday or weekend classes to speed up your training or better fir your schedule.

The tuition cost is 3600 USD, no matter if you are an in-state or out-state student, a 100 USD application cost and just 60 USD for materials and books, being one of the most economical programs in the state. The students can also apply for financial aid or credit solutions.

The admission is very easy and you must be 18 years or older and have a high school diploma or an equivalent. In addition, you must have a Hep B shot or sign a declination waiver. As a final aspect, students must be fluent in English and attend the orientation course.

Courses offered

  • Dental assisting – 8 weeks of training for a lifetime career

Contact information

  • Dental Assisting School of Georgia 2221 Johnson Ferry Rd NE ste 2-a, Atlanta, GA 30319
  • Phone: 770-599-7169
  • Email: info@dasgeorgia.com
  • Website: http://dasgeorgia.com/

6Erudite Nursing Institute

Founded with the belief that everyone can start a new career, Erudite Nursing Institution is an excellent place to start a brand new career in an amazing field.

The programs are provided by some of the most experiences and respected experts in this field and the school board is made mostly from females.

The programs are recognized by medical institutions as some of the best in the state and the alumni of this institute are considered some of the best nursing professionals in the area. This school goes beyond the old-school nursing approach and it will fully prepare every student for all the challenges that the nursing profession will bring.

The tuition cost is calculated per credit hour. One credit hour costs 268 USD and the LPN course, which takes 60 credit hours will cost 16080 USD while the RN course which takes 90 credit hours will cost 24120 USD, all the materials and textbooks being included in the cost.

The admission process is very straightforward and it mainly consists in your patient experience and previous education. Depending on your experience and previous education your application will be reviewed by the educational board.

Courses offered

  • Licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN)
  • Registered nurse (RN)

Contact information:


7Industry Makeup Academy

Modern, fun, and with some of the best trainers in the state, Industry Makeup Academy, or IMA is the ultimate place to start a professional career in make-up and cosmetology.

The trainers an teachers are recognized as some of the best in their field and they will share all the tips and tricks of the world of beauty.

The materials and practice areas are extremely professional and dynamic and the curriculum is focused on all the needed aspects that you will need in order to have a beautiful and successful career. Besides this, you will learn the entrepreneurship part from some of the most successful make-up artists in Atlanta.

The tuition cost depends on the program selected. The lowest tuition fee is for the Express program and it costs 1500 USD while the priciest tuition is for the Master program which costs 4990 USD. The cost for the makeup kit and materials is not included in the tuition.

The admission process is extremely easy and the only criteria is to be 18 years or older. There are several schedule options that will help you get the career of your dreams while following the schedule of your choice.

Courses offered

  • Express – takes 1 week/2 weekends to finish
  • Pro – 5 weeks, day and night classes available
  • Master – 5 weeks, day class only

Contact information:


8Interactive College of Technology

Interactive College of Technology offers students a very wide range of business and technology programs both for a degree of certificate educational form.

The campus area is located in a great area, close to many leisure and fun activities that will help you have the time of your life while forging a new career.

The students can benefit from great practice and learning facilities and they also have the option to get a part-time job on campus to help them finance their studies and living costs.

The tuition cost is calculated per credit hour and for a year of study make of 12 credit hours the cost is around 10000 USD. There are many financing options and you can also apply for special scholarships and educational loans.

The admission process differs on the program chosen but the basic requirements are to be at least 18 years old and to provide a high-school diploma or an equivalent. For the medical programs you may need to provide vaccination record and a medical background check.

Courses offered

  • Accounting with Professional Applications
  • Bilingual Administrative Support
  • Business Information Systems
  • Medical Office Administrative Specialist

Contact information:


9Chattahoochee Technical College

Chattahoochee Technical College is part of the renowned educational chain Technical College System of Georgia and it provides excellent programs and classes that can help everyone start a new career.

The college offers affordable tuition, a friendly environment, and some of the best classes, labs, and materials in the state.

The trainers and teachers are top-trained and they will help every student reach full potential during studies and the college will also assist you in finding the best job for your skills at the end of your studies.

The tuition cost is calculated based on the credit hour which costs 100 USD for Georgia residents and 200 USD for out-state students, with a maximum of 1500 USD tuition cost per term. The programs like commercial trucking have special costs and the cost of admission, materials and textbooks are not covered by the tuition.

The admission process consists of applying for a program, submitting your high school diploma or equivalent and all the other required documents like proof of residency or medical files. Non-degree programs and dual-enrollment have special admission criteria.

Courses offered

  • Air Conditioning Technology
  • Carpentry Technology
  • Certified Nurse Assistant
  • Commercial Truck Driving
  • Cosmetology
  • Health Care Assistant
  • Occupational Therapy Assistant and many more

Contact information:


10Atlanta Technical College

Atlanta Technical College is famous all over the state for having some of the best technical and trade programs in the region. With a story that first started in 1945, the college has plenty of experience and expertise to turn you into an excellent professional.

Besides this, the college offers some of the best practice areas and simulation labs that will help you fully prepare for the career of your dreams.

The fun and excitement of student life is also present thanks to the sports teams, leisure activities, and campus facilities that will turn your learning period into an experience for a lifetime.

The tuition fee depends on the program and schedule but for a general idea, a full-time program costs around 10000 USD per year. There are many financial aid, military aid, scholarships and grants available to help you easily finance your studies. In addition, the college also offers tuition-free programs to boost your career opportunities.

The admission process for trade programs is very easy and it only requires a high school diploma or an equivalent, your ID, residency proof and for some medical programs you will need the vaccination card and a basic background check.

Courses offered

  • Phlebotomy
  • Plumbing
  • Carpentry
  • HVAC
  • Cosmetology
  • Commercial Truck Driving
  • Emergency Medical Technician and many more

Contact information:

  • Atlanta Technical College 1560 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
  • Phone: +1 404-225-4400
  • Website: https://atlantatech.edu/

Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants8,950$65,570$31.53$97,880$38,060
Medical Records Specialists1,860$53,950$25.94$75,540$35,630
Nursing Assistants21,540$36,620$17.6$45,920$27,710
Dental Assistants6,160$45,180$21.72$55,990$35,250
Medical Assistants14,490$41,760$20.08$49,110$35,300
Phlebotomists3,240$44,790$21.53$56,380$33,720
Electricians12,160$59,330$28.52$82,200$37,130
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters4,320$60,370$29.02$79,090$37,830
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics13,620$53,010$25.49$80,020$29,440
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers6,610$57,650$27.72$80,150$37,950
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metropolitan statistical area, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have a starting point, take action!

Choose the career of your dreams and start as soon as possible to reach you goals as fast as you can.

Good luck and study hard!


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