Dallas, TX Trade Schools
Browse 11 accredited trade schools and vocational training programs in Dallas, Texas
11
Schools
15
Trade Programs
TX
State
Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the largest trade school markets in the country, with Dallas College's seven campuses serving the city and Tarrant County College serving the Fort Worth side of the metroplex. Specialty institutions like Lincoln Tech, Universal Technical Institute Dallas-Fort Worth, and the Refrigeration School of Texas add depth on the private side. The DFW metroplex is one of the fastest-growing regions in the U.S., and skilled-trade demand has consistently outpaced supply for over a decade.
DFW's trade economy is shaped by relentless construction (DFW added over a million residents in the past decade), the financial services and tech sectors (state-of-the-art office buildings need electricians, HVAC techs, and low-voltage techs), the regional logistics hub (DFW International Airport, BNSF Railway, major distribution centers), and a deep healthcare network (UT Southwestern, Baylor Scott & White, Methodist Health). Welding demand is steady from the regional manufacturing base; CDL drivers are in constant demand for last-mile and OTR work.
Dallas College operates seven campuses (formerly individual community colleges): Brookhaven (Farmers Branch), Cedar Valley (Lancaster), Eastfield (Mesquite), El Centro (downtown), Mountain View (west Dallas), North Lake (Irving), and Richland (north Dallas). Each campus specializes in different trades — for example, El Centro is strong in healthcare and culinary, Eastfield in automotive, and Cedar Valley in CDL. UTI and Lincoln Tech sit in Lisle/Irving. TCC serves the Fort Worth side.
DFW is sprawling and car-dependent. DART rail and bus service reach several Dallas College campuses but most students drive. Free or low-cost parking is standard. Programs run on rolling start dates throughout the year, and many offer evening and weekend cohorts to fit working students. The TEXAS Grant and TPEG provide need-based aid for Texas residents at Dallas College.
Based on local hiring activity and employer demand in the Dallas metro.
Year-round AC demand plus rapid residential construction across Collin, Denton, and Tarrant counties
Massive commercial construction in Plano, Frisco, and downtown Dallas plus ERCOT grid work
DFW is a top-3 U.S. logistics hub; constant demand for OTR, regional, and local drivers
UT Southwestern, Baylor Scott & White, and Methodist Health drive sustained MA hiring
Manufacturing base across the metroplex plus pipeline and energy work statewide
12606 Greenville Avenue, Suite 130, Dallas, TX 75243
$18,500
600 students
1601 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas, TX 75215
$2,370
66,592 students
801 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75202
$4,500
14,000 students
13370 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75240
N/A
N/A students
8035 East R L Thornton Fwy Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75228
N/A
N/A students
6333 E Mockingbird Ln Suite 201, Dallas, TX 75214
$16,500
N/A students
17174 Preston Rd, Dallas, TX 75248
$14,600
N/A students
2540 Walnut Hill Ln, Dallas, TX 75229
N/A
N/A students
1050 N Westmoreland Rd Suite 200B, Dallas, TX 75211
N/A
N/A students
243 N Walton Walker Blvd, Dallas, TX 75211
N/A
N/A students
2611 Internet Blvd Suite 101, Frisco, TX 75034
N/A
N/A students
Ready to start your career training? Here's how to get enrolled in a trade school in Dallas:
If wait lists are long or commute is an issue in Dallas, these nearby cities have additional trade school options.
Dallas College in-county tuition is approximately $79 per credit hour, putting most trade diplomas in the $3,000-$6,000 range — one of the most affordable options in the U.S. Add tools, books, and fees and typical out-of-pocket is $4,500-$8,000. Private trade schools like Lincoln Tech and UTI run $14,000-$22,000.
Dallas College North Lake and Cedar Valley campuses, the Refrigeration School of Texas, and Lincoln Tech all run respected HVAC programs. Dallas College is the most affordable; Refrigeration School and Lincoln Tech are faster but more expensive. All prepare students for EPA 608 certification.
CDL Class A programs in Dallas typically run 3-8 weeks full-time. Dallas College Cedar Valley runs a respected program at low cost. Major carriers (Schneider, Werner, Prime, Stevens) sponsor CDL training in DFW in exchange for a 12-18 month employment commitment, which can effectively make training free.
Yes — Dallas College, Tarrant County College, and most accredited private trade schools accept the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The Texas Veterans Commission maintains the state-approved program list and offers additional Hazlewood Act tuition benefits for eligible Texas veterans at public institutions.