Trade SchoolsIf you live in Fargo and you want to start a rewarding career in healthcare, transportation, or skilled trades, this page is for you.
Here we will compile information about the top trade schools in your region and the programs they offer.
Most programs can be completed in less than two years and focus only on the skills that are directly relevant to your future career.
Hands-on training is typically an important part of trade school education, so students learn how to use real-world equipment and how to act in real-world scenarios.
1North Dakota State College of Science
About the School
North Dakota State College of Science offers a variety of programs that prepare students for careers in high-demand fields.
The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Courses Offered
North Dakota State College of Science offers academic programs in the following fields:
- Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
- Education & Training
- Human Services
- Architecture & Construction
- Information Technology
- Hospitality & Tourism
- And more
A variety of programs are available at the college, including:
- Architectural Modeling & Design Technology
- Building Construction Technology
- Construction Management Technology
- HVAC/R Technology
- Mechanical Systems
- Plumbing
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems
- And more
The curriculum and program duration varies depending on the pathway and the credential it leads to.
The Welding Certificate includes classes on Robotics, Industrial Shop Practices or Basic Metallurgy, Fabrication Methods, Print Reading, Welding Theory, Welding Lab, Technical Mathematics, the Science of Success, Social and Behavioral Science, Humanities, History, and/or Computer Electives.
Contact Information
- Address: 800 6th St. N. Wahpeton, ND 58076
- Phone: 800-342-4325
- Website: https://www.ndscs.edu
2Moler Barber College
About the School
Moler Barber College prepares students for careers as professional barbers for more than 100 years.
Students get to practice at an on-site student barber college where they work on real clients and perfect their skills with advice from the supervising instructors.
Classes cover a variety of styles and techniques through hands-on training and small classes.
Moler Barber College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 17 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or GED
Prospective students must also arrange for a tour of the school before enrollment.
Courses Offered
The Barbering curriculum includes classes such as:
- History of Barbering
- Ethics in Barbering
- Bacteriology
- First Aid
- Skeletal System
- Muscular System
- Digestive System
- Barber Equipment
- Hair Cutting
- Shampooing and Rinsing
- Hair Tonics
- Facial Treatment
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 16 8th St South Fargo, ND 58103
- Phone: (701) 232 – 6773
- Website: https://molerbarberfargo.com
3The Salon Professional Academy
About the School
The Salon Professional Academy provides training programs for students who want to start rewarding careers in the beauty industry.
Classes are available for those who want to become cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, and massage therapists.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at The Salon Professional Academy:
- Cosmetology
- Esthetics
- Nail Technology
- Massage Therapy
Program duration varies depending on the career path you want to pursue.
The Esthetician program includes 600 hours of training and can be completed in 18 weeks.
Students receive a kit that includes professional tools and technology.
The curriculum also covers business and marketing skills, including how to use social media to maximize students’ earning potential.
Contact Information
- Address: 4377 15th Avenue South, Fargo, ND 58103
- Phone: 701-478-1772
- Website: https://www.tspafargo.com
4Rasmussen University
About the School
Rasmussen University provides more than 50 career-focused programs in nursing, business, technology, and many other fields.
Some programs are available fully online while others also include on-campus courses.
Depending on the completed coursework and the number of credits, students can earn a Bachelor’s Degree, Associate’s Degree, or Certificate.
Courses Offered
Rasmussen University catalog includes programs such as:
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Data Analytics
- Graphic Design
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Medical Administrative Assistant
- Medical Billing and Coding
- And more
Program duration also varies depending on the program and the credential it leads to.
The Medical Administrative Assistant program can be completed in as few as nine months.
The online courses are flexible and allow students to complete the program at their own pace from the comfort of their homes.
The program offers small class sizes.
The curriculum includes courses on:
- Foundations of Medical Administration
- Customer Service in Healthcare
- Technology Today for Medical Administration
- And more
In total, students complete 12 courses and achieve 38 credit hours.
Contact Information
- Address: 4012 19th Avenue South, Fargo, North Dakota 58103
- Phone: 800-817-0009
- Website: https://www.rasmussen.edu
5Lynnes Welding Training
About the School
Lynnes Welding Training prepares students for a welding career through short-term programs, small class sizes, hands-on welding, and other welding-related classes.
The school is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Courses Offered
Lynnes Welding Training provides the following welding programs:
- Combination Welder I Program- a 12-week program
- Combination Welder II Program- a 16-week program
The following welding skills courses are also available at the school:
- GMAW- Gas Metal Arc Welding- 120 and 200-hour programs are available
- GTAW- Gas Tungsten Arc Welding- a 120-hour class that can be completed in three weeks
- GTAW Pipe Welding Training
- SMAW- Shielded Metal Arc Welding- a three-week program that includes 120 hours of training
- Uphill SMAW Pipe Welding- a 200-hour program that can be completed in five weeks
Contact Information
- Address: 2717 3rd Ave North, Fargo, ND 58102
- Phone: 701-373-0658
- Website: https://learntoweld.com
6Commercial Education and Safety LLC
About the School
Commercial Education and Safety LLC is a privately owned truck driving training institution.
The school is licensed and organized under the laws of North Dakota and is a training provider registered with the FMCSA.
Courses Offered
The following CDL courses are available:
ELDT Theory Course- a course intended to meet all the theory requirements listed in federal regulations, including:
- Driver Safety Fundamentals
- Trucking Industry Regulations
- State and Local Laws Affecting Trucking
- Federal Bridge Formula
- Vehicle Instruments
- Basic Commercial Vehicle Control
- Right Turns
- Left Turns
- Suspension System Inspection
- Interior System Inspection
- General Braking Principles
- Basic Backing Maneuvers
- Introduction to Coupling and Uncoupling
- And more
The school also provides 160 hours of behind-the-wheel training (CDL-A)- a course designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills needed for completing the Commercial Driver’s License exam.
The program includes:
- Safety Tractor- Trailer Operation
- Map reading and route planning
- Pre-trip inspection
- Basic preventive maintenance
- Backing instructions
- Driving instructions
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 341 12th Ave NE, West Fargo, ND 58078, USA
- Phone: (701) 260-7057
- Website: https://commercialeducationandsafety.com
7Elite Massage Academy
About the School
Elite Massage Academy, LLC offers 1,100 hours of training that prepares students with the tools, abilities, and confidence needed for a career as a massage therapist.
Students work with a synthetic replica to practice hands-on the skills learned in class.
The replica depicts deep and superficial musculature, as well as the body’s major nerves, vessels, tissues, and organs.
Students prepare for the MBLEx examination- a standardized exam that tests the knowledge needed before practicing massage therapy.
Many states require that students pass this exam before obtaining a license.
The school collaborates with instructors from fields such as Massage Therapy, Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, Dermatology, and Nursing to ensure students gain medical-focused training,
Contact Information
- Address: 1121 Westrac Dr. Suite 202, Fargo, ND 5810
- Phone: 701.200.3285
- Website: https://emafargo.com
8Dakota Barber Academy
About the School
Dakota Barber Academy offers training programs for students who would like to start a career as barbers.
The 1,500 hours program is available in full-time and part-time schedules.
The full-time program can be completed in under 10 months with classes running Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Part-time students graduate in under 18 months with classes taking place Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The school also provides Refresher courses and State Board Exam Prep.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean hourly wage reported by barbers as of May 2021 was $17.16
Salaries vary depending on the state and a variety of other factors.
In North Dakota, workers in this profession reportedly made $15,40 per hour on average or $32,040 per year.
Salaries, however, range from less than $23,000 to more than $56,000 annually based on experience, location, and other factors.
Contact Information
- Address: 2790 S University Dr, Suite B, Fargo, ND 58103
- Phone: 701-404-7387
- Website: https://www.dakotabarberacademy.com
9Josef's School of Hair, Skin & Body
About the School
Josef’s School of Hair, Skin & Body provides training programs for students who want to start careers in the beauty industry.
Classes are available in Fargo and Grand Forks.
Courses Offered
Fargo students can choose from the following programs:
- Cosmetology- a 1,500-clock-hour program that teaches students how to cut, color, and style hair while also covering the business skills needed to be successful in this field.
- Skin Esthetics- a 600-clock-hour program that combines theory, and hands-on training, and teaches students how to use skin care products and highly specialized equipment
- Massage Therapy- 750 hours that covers topics such as:
- Anatomy and Kinesiology
- Pathology
- First Aid, Hygiene, & CPR
- Business Practices
- Clinical Practices
- Practical Application
Massage therapy students learn various modalities, including Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, Pregnancy, Geriatrics, Chair, Salt Scrubs, and Sports massage.
The Massage Therapy program costs $14,200 if completed within normal time.
The Skin Esthetics program costs $10,770, while the Cosmetology program costs $18,800.
Contact Information
- Address: 3223 13th Ave South, Fargo, ND 58103
- Phone: 701-235-0011
- Website: https://www.josefsschoolofhairdesign.com
10160 Driving Academy of Fargo
About the School
Fargo provides training options for those who want to become commercial truck drivers.
One such school is 160 Driving Academy, one of the top driving schools in the country with locations throughout the United States.
The school prepares students for their CDL license in just four weeks.
Courses Offered
The following truck driving classes are available at 160 Driving Academy: CDL Training, CDL Class A, CDL Refresher Course, CDL Test Preps
The CDL training program includes two parts:
- Classroom instruction which takes up one-quarter of the four-week course and teaches the rules and regulations of truck driving
- Behind-the-Wheel Training- this includes practice driving on the school’s course as well as local roads, streets, and highways
Interstate routes are also included in the behind-the-wheel training part, to prepare students for the exam.
Students also receive many hours of observation experience to perfect their driving technique while observing other students.
In total, students spend 40 hours in classroom instruction and 120 hours behind the wheel, driving on local and interstate roads and learning by observing other students.
The CDL Class A license allows students to drive a truck that is 26,001 pounds or more- this includes most tractor-trailers.
Contact Information
- Address: 3402 13th Ave S D, Fargo, ND 58103
- Phone: 701-291-8062
- Website: https://www.160drivingacademy.com
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 | 230 | $59,500 | $28.61 | $77,780 | $41,800 |
| Medical Records Specialists | 180 | $54,450 | $26.18 | $72,340 | $37,450 |
| Nursing Assistants | 3,230 | $40,570 | $19.51 | $47,290 | $32,230 |
| Dental Assistants | 330 | $53,150 | $25.55 | $61,640 | $45,280 |
| Medical Assistants | 190 | $41,120 | $19.77 | $50,070 | $28,410 |
| Phlebotomists | 140 | $42,550 | $20.46 | $49,960 | $32,550 |
| Electricians | 820 | $68,280 | $32.83 | $93,920 | $40,230 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | 540 | $64,590 | $31.05 | $86,090 | $40,060 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 580 | $52,820 | $25.39 | $74,720 | $37,730 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 410 | $65,640 | $31.56 | $82,260 | $45,600 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to put your dreams on hold just because you can’t afford to spend four years in higher education.
Trade schools provide a less expensive and time-consuming alternative.
Now that you have read our list, it’s time to continue the research and choose the program that best meets your learning style, budget, and career aspirations.
Trade Schools by City in North Dakota
