Utah Trade Schools: Cost, Completion & Earnings (2026 stats)

Last updated: June 4, 2026 Source: College Scorecard

Executive Summary (TL;DR)

Trade schools in Utah: 40 trade and vocational campuses (36 trade schools, 4 community colleges) median net price $16,936 (+25.9% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $35,032 (-0.1% vs U.S.) median completion rate 83.8% employment-outcome proxy 77.2% working & not enrolled at 8 years.

Overview

Trade schools and vocational programs in Utah include certificate-focused campuses and community colleges with career and technical education pathways. 40 campuses in this profile (36 trade schools, 4 community colleges), with about 98,961 students enrolled, and median net price near $16,936. Programs span healthcare, skilled trades, manufacturing, and other workforce credentials—tables below compare completion, earnings, and employment outcomes with U.S. and Rocky Mountains medians.

Related profiles

Utah vs regional & national benchmarks

Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.

State versus regional and national education metrics
Geography In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion rate Enrollment
Utah (UT)—$16,936$8,21783.8%98,961
Rocky Mountains (region median)—$15,103$9,50072.2%263,893
United States—$13,448$9,79261.5%5,468,807

Earnings & employment outcomes: Utah vs benchmarks

Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.

Earnings and employment outcome benchmarks
Geography Median earnings (10 yr) Working & not enrolled (8 yr) Retention (FT yr 1) 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment progress Debt ÷ earnings
Utah (UT)$35,03277.2%67.9%6.3%—66.1%0.29
United States$35,08681.0%65.2%11.1%—50.5%0.28

Utah vs peer states (Rocky Mountains region)

Peer states are other campuses in the same Scorecard region, chosen by similar total enrollment.

Peer comparison table
State In-state tuition Net price Median debt Completion Enrollment Earnings (10 yr) Working (8 yr)
Utah (UT)N/A$16,936$8,21783.8%98,961$35,03277.2%
Colorado (CO)N/A$15,103$9,50072.2%84,331$38,86880.3%
Idaho (ID)N/A$18,788$9,50073.2%60,906$26,17179.5%
Wyoming (WY)N/A$9,470$8,62251.8%14,230$40,70683.8%
Montana (MT)N/A$10,168$11,50044.7%5,465$31,62679.2%
United StatesN/A$13,448$9,79261.5%5,468,807$35,08681.0%

Outcomes by sector in Utah

Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).

Sector Campuses Median earnings (10 yr) Working share (8 yr) Retention 2-yr default 3-yr default 3-yr repayment
Private for-profit24$28,37074.1%100.0%3.7%—54.5%
Public13$39,68483.5%67.9%6.8%—75.9%

Top 10 trade schools in Utah by completion rate (150% time, certificate programs)

Ranked by 150% time completion rate among trade schools and community colleges in this profile (enrollment ≥ 50). Source: College Scorecard.

  1. Rank 1, Completion Rate, 100.0%, Esteem Academy of Beauty

    Esteem Academy of Beauty

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 56 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, Completion Rate, 94.9%, Southwest Technical College

    Southwest Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 540 enrolled · Cedar City

  3. Rank 3, Completion Rate, 92.4%, Top Nails & Hair Beauty School

    Top Nails & Hair Beauty School

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 92 enrolled

  4. Rank 4, Completion Rate, 92.2%, Medspa Academies

    Medspa Academies

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 241 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, Completion Rate, 91.5%, Zion Massage College

    Zion Massage College

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 56 enrolled · St. George

  6. Rank 6, Completion Rate, 90.7%, Collectiv Academy

    Collectiv Academy

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 70 enrolled · Sandy

  7. Rank 7, Completion Rate, 90.0%, Mandalyn Academy

    Mandalyn Academy

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 55 enrolled

  8. Rank 8, Completion Rate, 88.0%, Evans Hairstyling College-St George

    Evans Hairstyling College-St George

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 66 enrolled · Saint George

  9. Rank 9, Completion Rate, 87.9%, Taylor Andrews Academy-St George

    Taylor Andrews Academy-St George

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 127 enrolled · St. George

  10. Rank 10, Completion Rate, 87.5%, Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City

    Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 287 enrolled

Top 10 trade schools in Utah by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)

Share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate.

  1. Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 91.5%, Top Nails & Hair Beauty School

    Top Nails & Hair Beauty School

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 92 enrolled

  2. Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 87.4%, Cameo College of Essential Beauty

    Cameo College of Essential Beauty

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 257 enrolled · Murray

  3. Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 87.2%, Weber State University

    Weber State University

    Community college · Public · 16,360 enrolled · Ogden · College profile

  4. Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 85.9%, Davis Technical College

    Davis Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 3,027 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 85.1%, Bridgerland Technical College

    Bridgerland Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 1,567 enrolled · Logan

  6. Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 84.6%, Eagle Gate College-Murray

    Eagle Gate College-Murray

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 351 enrolled · Murray

  7. Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 84.4%, Utah Tech University

    Utah Tech University

    Trade school · Public · 8,552 enrolled · Saint George

  8. Rank 8, Employment Outcome, 84.3%, Salt Lake Community College

    Salt Lake Community College

    Community college · Public · 18,136 enrolled · Salt Lake City · College profile

  9. Rank 9, Employment Outcome, 83.7%, Uintah Basin Technical College

    Uintah Basin Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 544 enrolled

  10. Rank 10, Employment Outcome, 83.3%, Utah Valley University

    Utah Valley University

    Community college · Public · 28,453 enrolled · Orem · College profile

Top 10 trade schools in Utah by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)

None

  1. Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $47,061, Weber State University

    Weber State University

    Community college · Public · 16,360 enrolled · Ogden · College profile

  2. Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $46,825, Utah Valley University

    Utah Valley University

    Community college · Public · 28,453 enrolled · Orem · College profile

  3. Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $43,320, Ensign College

    Ensign College

    Trade school · Private nonprofit · 7,568 enrolled · Salt Lake City

  4. Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $41,916, Davis Technical College

    Davis Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 3,027 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $41,501, Salt Lake Community College

    Salt Lake Community College

    Community college · Public · 18,136 enrolled · Salt Lake City · College profile

  6. Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $40,738, Dixie Technical College

    Dixie Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 1,144 enrolled · Saint George

  7. Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $38,891, Uintah Basin Technical College

    Uintah Basin Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 544 enrolled

  8. Rank 8, Mid-Career Earnings, $38,493, Southwest Technical College

    Southwest Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 540 enrolled · Cedar City

  9. Rank 9, Mid-Career Earnings, $37,959, Utah Tech University

    Utah Tech University

    Trade school · Public · 8,552 enrolled · Saint George

  10. Rank 10, Mid-Career Earnings, $37,818, Bridgerland Technical College

    Bridgerland Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 1,567 enrolled · Logan

Top 10 trade schools in Utah by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)

None

  1. Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $51,525, Weber State University

    Weber State University

    Community college · Public · 16,360 enrolled · Ogden · College profile

  2. Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $50,056, Utah Valley University

    Utah Valley University

    Community college · Public · 28,453 enrolled · Orem · College profile

  3. Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $49,054, Ensign College

    Ensign College

    Trade school · Private nonprofit · 7,568 enrolled · Salt Lake City

  4. Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $46,930, Uintah Basin Technical College

    Uintah Basin Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 544 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $44,450, Salt Lake Community College

    Salt Lake Community College

    Community college · Public · 18,136 enrolled · Salt Lake City · College profile

  6. Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $41,730, Utah Tech University

    Utah Tech University

    Trade school · Public · 8,552 enrolled · Saint George

  7. Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $41,375, Davis Technical College

    Davis Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 3,027 enrolled

  8. Rank 8, 8-Yr Earnings, $40,006, Bridgerland Technical College

    Bridgerland Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 1,567 enrolled · Logan

  9. Rank 9, 8-Yr Earnings, $39,862, Medspa Academies

    Medspa Academies

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 241 enrolled

  10. Rank 10, 8-Yr Earnings, $38,474, Snow College

    Snow College

    Community college · Public · 3,549 enrolled · College profile

Top 10 trade schools in Utah by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)

None

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $56,287, Weber State University

    Weber State University

    Community college · Public · 16,360 enrolled · Ogden · College profile

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $55,486, Utah Valley University

    Utah Valley University

    Community college · Public · 28,453 enrolled · Orem · College profile

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $50,630, Ensign College

    Ensign College

    Trade school · Private nonprofit · 7,568 enrolled · Salt Lake City

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $47,867, Salt Lake Community College

    Salt Lake Community College

    Community college · Public · 18,136 enrolled · Salt Lake City · College profile

  5. Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $44,570, Utah Tech University

    Utah Tech University

    Trade school · Public · 8,552 enrolled · Saint George

  6. Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $41,734, Davis Technical College

    Davis Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 3,027 enrolled

  7. Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $41,022, Snow College

    Snow College

    Community college · Public · 3,549 enrolled · College profile

  8. Rank 8, 10-Yr Earnings, $38,347, Bridgerland Technical College

    Bridgerland Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 1,567 enrolled · Logan

  9. Rank 9, 10-Yr Earnings, $38,043, Paul Mitchell the School-St. George

    Paul Mitchell the School-St. George

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 109 enrolled · Saint George

  10. Rank 10, 10-Yr Earnings, $37,518, Eagle Gate College-Murray

    Eagle Gate College-Murray

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 351 enrolled · Murray

Top 10 trade schools in Utah by 10-year ROI

Ranked by 10-year ROI among trade schools and community colleges with enrollment ≥ 50.

  1. Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $234,450, Utah Valley University

    Utah Valley University

    Community college · Public · 28,453 enrolled · Orem · College profile

  2. Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $228,209, Ensign College

    Ensign College

    Trade school · Private nonprofit · 7,568 enrolled · Salt Lake City

  3. Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $227,298, Weber State University

    Weber State University

    Community college · Public · 16,360 enrolled · Ogden · College profile

  4. Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $194,815, Davis Technical College

    Davis Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 3,027 enrolled

  5. Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $193,540, Salt Lake Community College

    Salt Lake Community College

    Community college · Public · 18,136 enrolled · Salt Lake City · College profile

  6. Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $191,922, Bridgerland Technical College

    Bridgerland Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 1,567 enrolled · Logan

  7. Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $191,214, Utah Tech University

    Utah Tech University

    Trade school · Public · 8,552 enrolled · Saint George

  8. Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $177,232, Ogden-Weber Technical College

    Ogden-Weber Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 2,928 enrolled · Ogden

  9. Rank 9, 10-Yr ROI, $173,706, Snow College

    Snow College

    Community college · Public · 3,549 enrolled · College profile

  10. Rank 10, 10-Yr ROI, $165,004, Medspa Academies

    Medspa Academies

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 241 enrolled

Top 10 most affordable trade schools in Utah (net price)

Lowest median net price among trade schools and community colleges with enrollment ≥ 50.

  1. Rank 1, Net Price, $2,338, Bridgerland Technical College

    Bridgerland Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 1,567 enrolled · Logan

  2. Rank 2, Net Price, $3,229, Ogden-Weber Technical College

    Ogden-Weber Technical College

    Trade school · Public · 2,928 enrolled · Ogden

  3. Rank 3, Net Price, $5,552, Snow College

    Snow College

    Community college · Public · 3,549 enrolled · College profile

  4. Rank 4, Net Price, $6,376, Utah Valley University

    Utah Valley University

    Community college · Public · 28,453 enrolled · Orem · College profile

  5. Rank 5, Net Price, $5,955, Evans Hairstyling College-Cedar City

    Evans Hairstyling College-Cedar City

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 51 enrolled · Cedar City

  6. Rank 6, Net Price, $9,355, Evans Hairstyling College-St George

    Evans Hairstyling College-St George

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 66 enrolled · Saint George

  7. Rank 7, Net Price, $10,258, Weber State University

    Weber State University

    Community college · Public · 16,360 enrolled · Ogden · College profile

  8. Rank 8, Net Price, $9,804, Salt Lake Community College

    Salt Lake Community College

    Community college · Public · 18,136 enrolled · Salt Lake City · College profile

  9. Rank 9, Net Price, $10,824, Ensign College

    Ensign College

    Trade school · Private nonprofit · 7,568 enrolled · Salt Lake City

  10. Rank 10, Net Price, $12,002, Esteem Academy of Beauty

    Esteem Academy of Beauty

    Trade school · Private for-profit · 56 enrolled

Student debt: Utah vs benchmarks

Borrowing

Median debt at graduation in Utah is $8,217 (-16.1% vs U.S. median $9,792). Regional median: $9,500. Rank: #2 nationally of 58 (lower debt = better rank); #1 in Rocky Mountains of 5.

Median earnings (10 years out): Utah vs benchmarks

Payoff

Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Utah center around $35,032 (-0.1% vs U.S.).

Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.

Employment outcome proxy: Utah vs benchmarks

Working & not enrolled

The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 77.2% at the median Utah campus (-3.8 pp vs U.S.).

Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).

Analysis & insights

EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.

Costs & borrowing

Median graduate debt is $8,217 (-16.1% below the U.S. median of $9,792, and -13.5% vs the Rocky Mountains regional median of $9,500). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.

Student debt rank: #2 nationally of 58 (lower debt = better rank); #1 in Rocky Mountains of 5 (1 = lowest median debt).

Earnings, employment & retention

Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Utah are $35,032, about -0.1% vs the U.S. campus median ($35,086).

The median campus reports 77.2% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 81.0% (-3.8 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.

First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 67.9% vs a U.S. median of 65.2%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.

Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 6.3% (U.S. 11.1%); 3-yr repayment progress 66.1% (U.S. 50.5%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.

Nationally, Utah ranks earnings #28 and employment proxy #45 on these outcome medians (1 = best).

Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Top Nails & Hair Beauty School (91.5%), Cameo College of Essential Beauty (87.4%), Weber State University (87.2%), Davis Technical College (85.9%), Bridgerland Technical College (85.1%), Eagle Gate College-Murray (84.6%), Utah Tech University (84.4%), Salt Lake Community College (84.3%), Uintah Basin Technical College (83.7%), Utah Valley University (83.3%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.

Completion & workforce context

Within Utah, sector medians diverge: Private for-profit median 10-yr earnings $28,370 (24 campuses); Public median 10-yr earnings $39,684 (13 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.

Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Utah is 83.8% (national institution average about 61.5%).

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do trade schools cost in Utah?

Among trade schools and community colleges in Utah, median net price is $16,936 vs $13,448 nationally (+25.9% vs U.S.).

What is typical student debt at Utah trade schools?

Median federal loan debt among completers at trade and vocational campuses in Utah is $8,217 vs a U.S. median of $9,792 (Utah ranks #2 nationally for median debt among states.)

What do trade school graduates earn in Utah?

Median earnings 10 years after entry for Utah trade schools and community colleges reporting to the College Scorecard is $35,032 vs $35,086 nationally. Six-year medians are $29,562.

What share of Utah trade school students are working after completion?

The federal employment-outcome proxy on this site (8-year cohort working and not enrolled) has a median of 77.2% in Utah vs 81.0% nationally.

How many trade schools are in Utah?

This profile covers 36 trade schools and 4 community colleges (40 total) in Utah with roughly 98,961 total reported enrollment.

How many public vs. private trade schools are in Utah?

Among trade schools and community colleges with outcomes in the College Scorecard extract: 13 public, 0 private nonprofit, and 24 private for-profit institutions.

What are the top trade schools in Utah?

Rankings on this page use College Scorecard medians for trade schools and community colleges; standouts include highest completion rate: Esteem Academy of Beauty; highest 10-year earnings: Weber State University; lowest net price among large campuses: Bridgerland Technical College. See the ranked lists below for full details.

Are there Hispanic-serving or other designated trade schools in Utah?

Among 62 campuses in Utah, 8 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Cameo College of Essential Beauty, Ogden-Weber Technical College, and Salt Lake Community College; 2 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2).

How does Utah compare to its Census region for trade schools?

Utah is in the Rocky Mountains region. Regional median net price is $15,103 and median 10-year earnings are $36,712 vs $16,936 net price and $35,032 earnings in Utah.

Sources & related