If you want to start a rewarding career but can’t afford to spend four years in college, trade schools can be a good alternative.
Most vocational training programs are designed to be completed in less than one year and lead to a certificate or diploma.
There are also two-year programs that lead to an associate’s degree.
Evansville is home to many vocational schools that prepare graduates for careers in healthcare, skilled trades, transportation, or cosmetology.
If you live in the region, we invite you to read our selection and choose the program that best meets your needs.
1Evansville Dental Assistant School
Evansville Dental Assistant School provides training programs for those who want to start careers in dental assisting.
The school offers flexible schedules to give students the opportunity of keeping a job while preparing for a new career.
An online course and a hybrid program are also available.
The classes are taught by professional instructors who have years of experience in their field.
The program is designed to be completed in only nine weeks.
The course requires a 40-hour externship that must be completed during the program.
Those interested can apply by following a few steps:
- Filling out a form and applying for the class through the school’s website
- Making a deposit to secure their spot
- Completing enrollment paperwork
- Setting up a payment plan and enrolling in the course
To qualify for admission students need to submit:
- Photo ID or passport
- High school transcripts or equivalent
- A copy of their shots records
The school is licensed by the local state workforce commission and graduates receive certificates that are valid anywhere in the state.
Tuition is $3,350 if paid in full before the beginning of the class.
Contact Information
- Address: 804 S Green River Rd Ste A, Evansville, IN 47715
- Phone: 812-203-5318
- Website: https://evansvilledentalassistant.com
2Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center
About the School
Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center is offering advanced career and technical education for the entire southwest Indiana region.
Courses Offered
The center’s catalog includes courses in:
- Advanced Manufacturing Technology- a program that provides students with a basic understanding of manufacturing processes
- Engineering/Architectural Design Technology- a program that can be completed in two years and covers topics such as Architectural Drafting and Design, Mechanical Drafting and Design, BIM Architecture, and more.
- Automotive Service Technology- a two-year program that prepares students for entry-level employment in the automotive repair industry of for post-secondary programs in this field
- Electrical Technology- a program that includes classroom and laboratory work in residential wiring, commercial/industrial wiring, and electric motors/controls
- Health Science Education- a two-year program that helps students become familiar with basic patient care skills
- HVAC-R and Energy Systems- a program that covers classroom and laboratory training regarding heat generation, air conditioning, and cooling systems.
- Welding Technology- a course that helps develop a variety of skills detailed by the America Welding Society in their Entry Level Guidelines and Certifications.
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 1901 Lynch Rd., Evansville, IN 47711
- Phone: 812-435-8438
- Website: https://sictc.evscschools.com
3Ross Medical Education Center
About the School
Ross Medical Education Center provides healthcare training at its Evansville Campus.
The Center is located just behind Donut Bank in the At Home shopping center.
Tuition for the Dental Assistant and Medical Assistant programs is $15,990.
All Ross Medical Education Center campuses are accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available in Evansville:
- Medical Assistant- a program that covers the clinical and administrative skills needed for a career in this field
This program can be completed in 30 weeks by day students and in 36 weeks by part-time students.
A six-week externship is also included in this program.
The Medical Assistant program covers topics on human anatomy and physiology, disease procedures, medical terminology, first aid, assisting with examinations, and CMA procedures.
- Dental Assistant- a program that prepares students for a career in a dental office.
This 36-week program includes topics related to radiograph processing, preparing and disposing of anesthetic, taking and recording vital signs, and impressions taking.
Dental Assisting students also learn how to perform basic administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments, filing medical records, and completing insurance claim forms.
Contact Information
- Address: 227 N Green River Rd, Evansville, IN 47715
- Phone: (812) 475-9685
- Website: https://rosseducation.edu/campus/in/evansville.php
4Ivy Tech Community College
About the School
Ivy Tech Community College offers certificate and Associate Degree programs that prepare students for careers in many industries.
Program costs vary depending on the number of credits.
The price per credit hour is $149.55.
Additional fees for consumables, distance education, miscellaneous, or technology, may apply, depending on the program.
Some programs have specific program fees per semester.
The program fees for Dental Hygiene, Nursing, or Practical Nursing programs are $125 per semester while fees for the Radiation Therapy program are $200 per semester.
Additional fees sum up to $25 for Paralegal/Legal Studies programs.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at Ivy Tech:
- Accounting- available either as a four-semester program that leads to an Associate’s Degree or as 2-3 semester-long Certificate programs
- Advanced Automation and Robotics- an Associate Degree can be earned after six semesters, while Certificate programs are completed in 2-3 semesters.
- Agriculture- the program includes partnerships with John Deere, Dow AgroSciences, Monsanto, and others.
- Automotive Technology- Associate Degree and Certificates available
- Dental Assisting- a program that covers the skills involving radiography, dental materials, and general dentistry
- Industrial Technology- a program that trains students for careers as repair technicians, welders, or machinists.
- And many more
Contact Information
- Address: 3501 N. First Avenue, Evansville, IN 47710
- Phone: (888) 489-5463
- Website: https://www.ivytech.edu/evansville/index.html
5Professional Training Institution
About the School
A family-owned company from Evansville, Professional Training Institution is a pre-licensing and continuous education school for insurance providers.
The school provides pre-licensing and continuing education for insurance providers in Indiana and Kentucky through classrooms, webinars, and self-study methods.
After finishing the pre-licensing courses, students are ready to sit for the licensing exam.
Exams fees range from $50-$69 and include between 35-150 questions, depending on the type of license.
Students pass the exam if they get a score higher than 70.
Courses Offered
Insurance Licensing is a program that includes books and study guides, online study questions, online video reviews, live instructor, and instructor email support.
Students need internet access but can follow the content from the comfort of their homes.
Pre-licensing is available for Life/Health and Property/Casualty insurance training.
Graduates receive a certificate of completion that qualifies them for the insurance producer state exam.
Students receive immediate feedback on the answers they provide in the practice exams.
Access to the program is available for 180 days.
The program is available in three formats:
- Self-study- a format that costs $150.
- Webinar- $350
- Classroom- $350
Contact Information
- Address: 2803 N St. Joseph Ave. Suite B, Evansville, IN 47720
- Phone: 800-293-0784
- Website: https://www.ptischool.com
6Bodyworks
About the School
Bodyworks- Massage Institute offers a 700-hour Massage Training Program.
The program prepares students for the MBLEx.
Bodyworks is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association.
Tuition for the 700-hour program is $9,000.
The application fee is $100 while books cost an additional $300, approximately.
Students also have to purchase massage supplies and a uniform for the clinical part of the training.
To qualify for enrollment, applicants need:
- To be at least 18 years of age before beginning the program
- To provide a copy of a high school diploma, GED, or college transcript.
After submitting the application form and paying the $100 application fee the next step is to schedule an enrollment interview.
Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bodyworks Massage Institute is accredited by the Office for Career and Technical Schools.
Before being allowed to apply for state licensing, students have to pass the MBLEx.
Courses Offered
The program includes the following courses:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Pathology
- Kinesiology
- Massage Theory and Practice
- Student Massage Clinics
- Business Marketing
- Ethics and Professionalism
Contact Information
- Address: 2809 Lincoln Ave, Suite 110, Evansville, IN 47714
- Phone: (812) 490-9009
- Website: https://bwmassage.com
7160 Driving Academy
About the School
If you want to start a career in the fast-growing commercial truck driving industry, 160 Driving Academy offers a training program that prepares students for the commercial licensing exam.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 231,000 new job openings are projected to occur for tractor-trailer truck drivers each year of the 2020-2030 decade.
The school helps many students cover the training costs with government-sponsored training assistance or complete tuition reimbursement from one of their partners.
Courses Offered
160 Driving Academy offers truck driving classes that help students earn a Commercial Driver’s License.
The classes teach the best procedures for driving a Class A truck:
- Classroom instruction that prepares students for the written exam
- Field training that gives students the opportunity of working closely with the teacher and learning hands-on how to drive a truck
The program includes 160 hours of training that can be completed in just four weeks by students who attend the program 40 hours per week.
The classroom instruction totals 40 hours while 120 hours are dedicated to hands-on driving training and observation time on the yard, local streets, highways, and interstate roads.
Contact Information
- Address: 2608 S Kentucky Ave Truck Lot, Evansville IN 47714
- Phone: (877) 350-0884
- Website: https://www.160drivingacademy.com
8Electrical Training Center
About the School
Electrical Training Center is preparing individuals for careers in the electrical industry.
The residential wireman apprenticeship offered by the organization is four years long, while the inside wireman apprenticeship is five years long.
Apprentices earn a salary while they learn on the job.
The salary starts at 40% of the journeyman wage.
After gaining 100 hours of work apprentices earn 45% of the Journeyman scale and start earning 50% after gathering 2000 hours of training.
Pay increases are not automatic, but they depend on the progress in training.
Apprentices are under the supervision of a journeyman wireman.
The program includes 200 hours of classroom training each year.
The curriculum covers topics on residential, commercial, and industrial electrical installations.
Those interested can apply through the Electrical Training Center website.
Courses Offered
The curriculum covers classes on:
- Electrical Theory
- Lighting and Power Distribution
- Industrial Controls
- Communication Equipment
- Testing Equipment
- High Voltage Distribution
- The National Electrical Code
Apprentices also learn instrumentation, programmable logic controllers, computers, fire alarm systems, welding, and other specialized topics.
During the five years of training, students also learn First Aid, CPR, and OSHA Training.
Contact Information
- Address: 1321 Edgar Street, Evansville, IN 47710
- Phone: (812) 422-3343
- Website: https://evvjatc.org
9The Salon Professional Academy
About the School
The Salon Professional Academy franchise schools offer beauty training in many different locations across the United States and Canada.
Their schools are recognized by Redken for Excellence in Education.
Those interested can apply through the school’s website.
Scholarships are available for students who qualify.
Students enrolled in one of the school’s programs are ready for the state board exams and their future careers.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available in Evansville:
- Cosmetology- a program that includes:
- Hands-on training in styling, cutting, and coloring techniques
- Practice in a premium salon environment
- Business and marketing skills that help students build and grow their brand
- Modern technology for learning and guest relations.
- Esthetics- students enrolled in this program learn specialized techniques using state-of-the-art equipment.
- Students enrolled in the Esthetics program are trained in the artistry of make-up application
- The program also covers clinical business and communications skills
- Manicurist- a program that covers advanced techniques for basic nail care, artificial nail products, and the chemistry of nails
- Critical business and communication skills are also included in this program
- The program also offers hands-on training with specialized equipment
Contact Information
- Address: 5545 Vogel Road Evansville, IN 47715
- Phone: 812-437-8772
- Website: https://www.tspaevansville.com
10Henderson Community College
About the School
Henderson Community College offers associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates that help students reach their career goals.
Tuition is $179/credit hour for in-state students and $358/credit hour for out-of-state students from contiguous counties.
Other out-of-state students pay $627/credit hour.
Henderson Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available in Henderson, Kentucky:
- Health Science Technology- a program that leads to an Associate Degree after two years by full-time students
- Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education- a program that prepares students for employment in private preschools, early care centers, and early intervention programs.
- Medical Assisting- a program that prepares students in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains.
Prospective medical assistants learn about scheduling appointments, managing medical records, taking vital signs, assisting with minor surgeries, performing venipuncture, and many other skills.
- Welding Technology- a program that covers electric arc welding, oxyacetylene gas welding, cutting, metal inert gas welding, Tungsten inert gas welding, blueprint reading, metal welding, and operation of hand tools.
- Nursing- a program that teaches students about bedside care, evaluation of client needs, supervising nursing assistants, applying dressings, administering medicines, and many other skills.
Contact Information
- Address: 2660 S. Green Street Henderson, KY 42420
- Phone: (270) 827-1867
- Website: https://henderson.kctcs.edu
Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers
Career | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 240 | $50,560 | $24.31 | $75,250 | $35,970 |
Medical Records Specialists | 270 | $44,900 | $21.59 | $53,470 | $33,870 |
Nursing Assistants | 1,850 | $36,280 | $17.44 | $43,100 | $29,400 |
Dental Assistants | 270 | $44,430 | $21.36 | $59,200 | $35,190 |
Medical Assistants | 970 | $39,520 | $19 | $46,540 | $31,730 |
Phlebotomists | 150 | $36,990 | $17.79 | $41,380 | $33,770 |
Electricians | 850 | $68,900 | $33.13 | $92,030 | $38,230 |
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 590 | $64,640 | $31.08 | $92,410 | $37,200 |
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 790 | $50,260 | $24.16 | $75,920 | $29,180 |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 560 | $56,800 | $27.31 | $81,260 | $36,120 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
If you have decided what career path you want to pursue, the next step is to choose the school that will help you get there.
Now that you have read our list, we encourage you to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs and educational aspirations.