10 Best Trade Schools inDavenport, IA

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If you live in Davenport, Iowa, and you’re contemplating the idea of starting a new career or learning a new skill through hands-on training, this page is for you.

Here we have compiled information about the top trade schools in the region.

Vocational training focuses only on the topics that are relevant for employment and it usually takes less than two years to complete.

Therefore, it can be a viable alternative for students who want to learn a new trade but cannot afford to spend four years in college.



1Institute of Therapeutic Massage

About the School

The Institute of Therapeutic Massage is preparing students for a career in massage therapy.

To qualify for admission at the institute, applicants must:

  • Submit a completed application and pay a $50 application fee
  • Submit a high school diploma and transcript, GED, or college transcript
  • Send two letters of recommendation
  • Attend a personal interview

To be allowed to perform massage therapy, after completing training students have to take and pass the MBLEx.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for massage therapists was $43,620 as of May 2020.

Salaries, however, vary between less than $25,000 and more than $80,000 per year, depending on experience, education, and a variety of other factors.

This profession will grow 32 percent from 2020 to 2030, resulting in 23,300 new jobs each year over the decade.

Job openings will occur in healthcare settings as well as the sports sector.

Courses Offered

The 650-hour Massage Therapy program covers topics such as Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology, Pathology, Body Mechanics, Business/Ethics, Introduction to Reflexology, Spa Therapy, Aromatherapy, CPR/First Aid, and many other related topics.

Contact Information


2Ross College

About the School

Ross College offers medical training programs at its Devenport campus.

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

Total costs sum up to $15,990 for the Medical Assistant program and $39,456 for the Occupational Therapy Assistant Associate Degree program.

The costs cover tuition, books, supplies, and laboratory fees.

An optional technology kit that costs $475 can also be purchased by students.

Courses Offered

The following classes are available:

  • Medical Assistant- a program that can be completed in 30-36 weeks and includes six modules and a six-week externship

The program offers class instruction on topics such as human anatomy and physiology, disease procedures, medical terminology, assisting with examinations, CMA procedures, and first aid.

The six modules included in this program can be completed in any order.

Students also receive training on administrative office skills such as medical charting and filing, customer service skills, and more.

  • Occupational Therapy Assistant- a 92-week program that includes 30 hours of observation fieldwork for Level 1 students and two eight-hour rotations for Level 2.

The Occupational Therapy Assistant program leads to an Associate of Applied Science Degree.

Contact Information


3Capri College

About the School

Capri College provides hands-on training programs for students who want to become hairstylists, estheticians, nail technologists, or massage therapists.

The college has 55 years of experience but they are always adding new techniques and teaching methods.

Tuition costs vary depending on the program.

The Cosmetology program costs $19,945 in total, while the Nail Technology program is $4,350.

Capri College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission on Career Schools and Colleges.

Courses Offered

The following courses are available at Capri College:

  • Cosmetology- a 68-week program that covers haircutting, razor cutting, perming, makeup, manicures, pedicures, artificial nails, skincare, hair removal, hair extensions, and other cosmetology-related skills
  • Esthetics- a 33-week course that runs 22-24 hours per week and teaches makeup, body bronzing, body wraps, hair removal, skin treatments, and many other skills.
  • Massage Therapy- a 30-week program that covers Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, prenatal massage, Thai massage, sports massage, anatomy, physiology, aromatherapy, reflexology, hot stones, and spa treatments.
  • Nail Technology- this 16-week program includes skills such as manicures, pedicures, gel nails, acrylics, artificial nails, wraps, fills, among other topics.

Contact Information


4La James International College

About the School

La James International College offers training for those who want to start a career in the beauty industry.

The college is offering beauty training programs for almost 50 years.

Their courses are available at five campuses across Iowa, including one in Davenport.

In Davenport training is available for future Cosmetologists, Estheticians, Nail Technologists, and Massage Therapists.

Students can choose between flexible schedule options.

Tuition ranges from 4,600 for the Nail Technologist program to $18,510 for the Cosmetology program.

La James International College is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.

Courses Offered

The following programs are available in Davenport:

  • Cosmetology- a 2,100 hour-program that gives students the opportunity of working hands-on with clients in a true salon and spa environment.
  • Esthetics- a program that covers 750 hours and includes a variety of skincare and spa techniques that students get to practice hands-on.
  • Massage Therapy- this 900-hour program focuses on anatomy physiology, theory, and practices, and covers a variety of massage techniques that students get to practice on real clients.
  • Nail Technology- a 350-hour curriculum that covers the basics of manicuring and pedicuring, while also focusing on building hands-on skills.

Contact Information

  • Address: 5205 North Brady Street, Davenport, Iowa 52806
  • Phone: 888.880.2106
  • Website: https://ljic.edu

5Midwest Technical Institute

About the School

Midwest Technical Institute provides a variety of career training programs at its Moline campus, seven miles away from Davenport.

The campus was established in 2011 and is located at a commuting distance from Davenport.

The Midwest Technical Institute programs are designed to provide students with hands-on experience in their area of expertise.

Graduates are ready for licensing exams and/or entry-level employment in in-demand fields such as dental or medical assisting, massage therapy, phlebotomy, welding, HVAC, or cosmetology.

Midwest Technical Institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Scholarships are available for students who qualify.

Courses Offered

The following Allied Health programs and courses are available at the Institute’s Moline campus:

  • Dental Assisting- a nine-month 765-hour program that includes 225 hours of externship
  • Medical Assisting- this 765-hour program is also nine months-long and includes 225 externship hours.
  • Medical Coding Specialist
  • Phlebotomy

Mechanical Trades programs and courses are also available in the following areas:

  • Journeyman Welder: I and II
  • HVAC/R Technician
  • Continuing Education: Pipe Fitting Course
  • Cosmetology

Contact Information


6Black Hawk College

About the School

Black Hawk College offers a variety of career programs.

Tuition costs vary depending on the number of credits included in each program and the student’s state of residence.

For a 14-credit program, for example, in-district students will pay $4,172 for tuition.

Courses Offered

The following career programs are available at the College:

  • Agriculture Career Programs that can lead to:
    • Agribusiness Management- AAS
    • Agriculture Production- AAS
    • Veterinary Assisting Certificate
    • Horse Science Technology Certificate
    • And more
  • Business Career Programs such as:
    • Accounting AAS
    • Accounting Clerk Certificate
    • Business AAS
    • Court Reporting Technology AAS
    • Team Leader Certificare
    • And more
  • The following Computer Technology Career Programs are also available:
    • Business Software Certificate
    • Cybersecurity
    • Visual Communication
    • IT Technician Certificate
    • And many more
  • Early Childhood Education Career Programs are available in the following areas:
    • Assistant Teacher Certificate
    • Early Childhood Education AAS
    • Early Childhood Education Certificate
  • Health Sciences Career Programs for those who want to earn a credential in the following fields:
    • Associate Degree Nursing
    • Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic Certificate
    • Medical Assisting Certificate
    • Practical Nursing Certificate
    • Surgical Technology AAS
    • And more
  • Health Technical Career Programs in:
    • Agriculture Mechanics Certificate
    • Air Conditioning Specialist Certificate
    • Automotive Repair Certificate
    • Brake Specialist Certificate
    • Engineering Technology Electrical Track
    • And more

Contact Information


7QC School of Real Estate

About the School

QC School of Real Estate offers distance education classes for those who want to start a career in real estate.

Online courses can be accessed by students from the comfort of their homes, at their own pace.

Most of the school’s online courses expire six months after the date of purchase.

To get a real estate license in the state of Iowa, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Take a pre-licensing course
  • Pass a real estate exam with the Iowa Real Estate Commission
  • Pick a brokerage
  • Complete 36 hours of listing, buying, and developing courses within 12 months of passing the exam
  • Apply for an Iowa state real estate license

Courses Offered

The following licensing courses are available:

  • Iowa Real Estate Career Accelerator Package- a course that costs $385
  • Iowa Real Estate Principles- a $287.5 course
  • Iowa Real Estate Professional Track- this is also $385

Each one of the above classes includes 60 contact hours.

A Complete Iowa Real Estate Drill and Practice QBank are also available and cost $120.

Contact Information


8Davenport Schools Career Tech Education

About the School

A wide variety of career and technical education programs are available at Davenport Community Schools.

The programs include a sequence of courses that students take over four years.

Courses Offered

Davenport Community Schools offers courses in the following areas:

  • Accounting and Financial Services- a program that teaches students the basics of business, how to manage personal finances, principles of accounting, managerial accounting, and many other topics
  • Automotive Technology- a course with topics on basic auto, introduction to diesel mechanics, and auto tech
  • Developer- a program with courses on computer science principles, C#, AP Computer Science, Intro to Cloud Computing, and more
  • Information Technology- with classes such as AP Computer Science Principles, Digital Electronics, Computer Systems, and Student Help Desk
  • Construction- a program that covers wood technology, construction tech, and student build home.
  • Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management
  • Engineering/Engineering Technologies
  • Family and Community Services
  • Health Sciences- Biomedical
  • Health Services
  • Manufacturing- this path is for students who want to learn about Metals, Materials, Blueprint Reading, Manufacturing Processes, and other related topics.
  • Marketing and Management
  • Welding- this program teaches Basic Mig Welding, Basic Stick Welding, Advanced Welding, and Voc Welding.

Contact Information


9Upper Iowa University

About the School

Upper Iowa University offers a variety of Bachelor’s Degree and Associate’s Degree programs, as well as certificates in many different fields.

All Upper Iowa University courses are approved by the state of Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services

Courses Offered

The following Associate of Arts programs are available:

  • Criminal Justice
  • General Business
  • Liberal Arts
  • Psychology

The university also offers the following undergraduate certificates:

  • Emergency and Disaster Management- a 15-credit program that covers Principles of Emergency Management, Political and Policy Basis of Emergency Management, Emergency Preparedness and Planning, and Disaster Response and Recovery
  • Geographic Information Systems- a 15 or 16-credit program that gives students the option of choosing between World Regional Geography and Geography and GIS Lab or Cartography.
  • Human Resource Management- a 15-credit program
  • Pre-Professional Arts Administration- this program also includes 15 credits and covers topics such as consumer behavior, public administration, public budgeting process, organizational behavior, and more.
  • Psychology- a 15-credit curriculum with classes such as general psychology, abnormal psychology, skills and strategies in the helping professions, and issues and ethics in the helping professions.
  • Social Work Training- a course about human behavior, social work practice, and an internship
  • Sustainability- a curriculum that teaches environmental science, eco-economy, global warming, climate change, and regional sustainability.

Contact Information

  • Address: Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa
  • Phone: 800-553-4150
  • Website: https://uiu.edu

10Hawkeye Community College

About the School

Hawkeye Community College provides a variety of degree and career programs.

The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Courses Offered

Career and Technical programs are available in the following areas:

  • Agriculture and Natural Resources: with programs in Agriculture Business Management, Animal Science, Landscape and Turf Management, Natural Resource Management, and Veterinary Assisting
  • Arts: Digital Mass Media, Fine Arts Liberal Arts Transfer Major, Graphic Design, Professional Photography
  • Business: Accounting, Hospitality Management, Marketing Management, and many other programs.
  • Education: Early Childhood and Elementary Education Liberal Arts Transfer Majors, Early Childhood Education
  • Health: with programs such as Dental Hygiene, Home Health Aide Apprenticeship, Medical Assistant, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and more
  • Industrial and Engineering Technology: you can find programs such as Carpentry Apprenticeship, HVAC Apprenticeship, Industrial Automation Technology, Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing, Welding Technology, and many more
  • Information Technology: courses in Cybersecurity, Information Systems Management, Web Programming, and other related topics are available
  • Power Technology: Auto Collision Technologies, Automotive Technologies, and Diesel Technology
  • Safety Services: Criminal Justice Liberal Arts Transfer Major, Emergency Medical Services, Police Science

Contact Information


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants270$56,270$27.05$76,770$37,040
Medical Records Specialists360$48,000$23.08$60,320$36,260
Nursing Assistants2,030$37,840$18.19$45,640$31,280
Dental Assistants430$45,590$21.92$58,300$35,470
Medical Assistants750$41,060$19.74$47,700$34,850
Phlebotomists210$41,610$20.01$50,400$34,070
Electricians1,190$68,390$32.88$92,770$41,790
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters890$70,840$34.06$100,510$40,730
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1,000$49,420$23.76$73,500$30,190
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers350$59,540$28.62$78,600$37,800
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metropolitan statistical area, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

The schools included on this page prepare you for rewarding careers in areas such as cosmetology, skilled trades, transportation, or healthcare.

With so many options available, choosing the best training program can be a difficult task.

Before deciding where to enroll, make sure you have all the information you need and choose wisely.


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