Trade schools in San Diego, California and its surrounding communities provide a wide variety of training opportunities to local residents interested in starting new careers or adding credentials to enhance their current ones. Accredited programs offer degrees, certificates and diplomas in fields as diverse as healthcare, cosmetology, business administration and information technology.
The section below contains brief profiles of each of San Diego county’s accredited vocational programs. You are additionally encouraged to search for online programs offered by other institutions as many schools that do not have physical campuses in the area also provide training.
Accredited Trade Schools in San Diego, CA
Advanced Training Associates
Website: www.advancedtraining.edu
Address: 1810 Gillespie Way, Suite 104, El Cajon, California 92020
Phone: (619) 596-2766
Largest Program: Computer and Information Sciences
Average Program Length: 9 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 83%
Advanced Training Associates specializes in providing career training for a number of in-demand, entry-level positions in Southern California. The school provides diploma and degree courses in Information Technology, Healthcare, and Business, and is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education.
Argosy University – San Diego
Website: www.argosy.edu
Address: 1615 Murray Canyon Road, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92108
Phone: (619) 321-3000
Largest Program: Masters of Mental Health Counseling/Counselor
Average Program Length: 24 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 50%
Argosy University prides itself on not just providing the technical training necessary to succeed in the professional world, but on training its students in interpersonal skills as well. The San Diego campus is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and offers degrees in Clinical Psychology, Arts & Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Business Management, Healthcare and Creative Arts.
Associated Technical College – San Diego
Website: www.associatedtechcollege.com
Address: 707 Broadway-Ste 300, San Diego, California 92101
Phone: (619) 234-2181 x309
Largest Program: Communications Technology/Technician
Average Program Length: 8 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 65%
Founded in 1984, Associated Technical College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and approved by the State of California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. The college provides training programs in Telecommunications Technology and Microcomputer Technology.
Avance Beauty College
Website: avancebeautycollege.edu
Address: 750 Beyer Way Suite B-C-D-E, San Diego, California 92154
Phone: (619) 575-1511
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 16 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 81%
Avance Beauty College features bilingual training with small class sizes and a focus on hands-on learning in order to help students become successful beauty industry professionals. The school’s Cosmetology course conforms to guidelines set forth by the State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology and is accredited by the NACCAS.
Bellus Academy – El Cajon
Website: www.bellusacademy.edu
Address: 1073 E Main St, El Cajon, California 92021
Phone: (619) 442-3407
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 13 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 80%
Bellus Academy integrates its creative styling techniques with the Nick Education S.T.A.R. Precision Haircutting System to provide students with a unique learning experience. The academy offers training in Cosmetology, Esthetics, Massage Therapy, Spa Nails and Make-Up Artistry.
California College San Diego
Website: www4.cc-sd.edu
Address: 6602 Convoy Ct #100, San Diego, CA 92111
Phone: (888) 925-4039
Largest Program: Information Technology
Average Program Length: 20 months
Overall Graduation Rate: N/A
California Hair Design Academy
Website: chdaschools.com
Address: 8011 University Avenue, Suite A-2, La Mesa, California 91941-5055
Phone: (619) 461-8600
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 13 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 71%
California Hair Design Academy (CDHA) boasts two San Diego-area campuses where students can receive professional training in Cosmetology, Barbering, Esthetics and Manicuring. The academy is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences.
Concorde Career College – San Diego
Website: www.concorde.edu
Address: 4393 Imperial Avenue, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92113-1964
Phone: (619) 688-0800
Largest Program: Medical/Clinical Assistant
Average Program Length: 8 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 64%
The San Diego campus of Concorde Career College has been in operation for more than 40 years and continues to offer its students high-quality training in numerous healthcare professions. The ACCSC-accredited school features programs for Dental Assisting, Dental Hygienist Assisting, Medical Assisting, Vocational Nursing, Physical Therapist Assisting and Surgical Technology.
Design Institute of San Diego
Website: www.disd.edu
Address: 8555 Commerce Ave, San Diego, California 92121
Phone: (858) 566-1200
Largest Program: Interior Design
Average Program Length: 4 years
Overall Graduation Rate: 50%
The Design Institute of San Diego is an interior design school that is accredited by both the ACICS and Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). The school’s curriculum is focused on preparing students for careers in interior design and awards a four-year degree as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design.
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising – San Diego
Website: fidm.edu
Address: 350 Tenth Avenue, Third Floor, San Diego, California 92101-4903
Phone: (619) 235-2049
Largest Program: Fashion Merchandising
Average Program Length: 24 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 79%
Located in the heart of downtown San Diego, this campus for the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising holds an institutional accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The school awards associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in a number of fashion, design and merchandising fields.
Golf Academy of America – Carlsbad
Website: www.golfacademy.edu
Address: 1950 Camino Vida Roble, Ste. 125, Carlsbad, California 92008
Phone: (800) 342-7342
Largest Program: Business Administration, Management and Operations
Average Program Length: 24 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 40%
The lone Southern California campus of the Golf Academy of America, the Carlsbad location features an instructional staff made-up entirely of PGA pros and proximity to 23 different championship golf courses. The school is accredited by the ACICS and is a member of the American Council on Education.
Healing Hands School of Holistic Health
Website: healinghandsschool.com
Address: 125 W Mission Ave Ste 212, Escondido, California 92025
Phone: (760) 746-9364
Largest Program: Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage
Average Program Length: 13 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 90%
Featuring state certified, nationally-accredited programs in Massage Therapy and Holistic Health, the Healing Hands School of Holistic Health has been training San Diego-area practitioners for over 20 years. The school is accredited by both the ABHES and the U.S. Department of Education.
International Professional School of Bodywork
Website: www.ipsb.edu
Address: 9025 Balboa Ave Ste 130, San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (858) 505-1100
Largest Program: Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage
Average Program Length: 18 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 57%
With nearly 40 years of history, International Professional School of Bodywork is one of America’s oldest and most-respected massage therapy programs. The school is accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation and the State of California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
Kaplan College – San Diego
Website: www.kaplancollege.com/san-diego-ca/
Address: 9055 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (858) 279-4500
Largest Program: Health Aide
Average Program Length: 9 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 90%
Kaplan College’s San Diego campus features degree programs for those interested in careers in Allied Health, Criminal Justice and Nursing, and is accredited by the ACICS. The campus is located in Kearny Mesa and is contained within a 53,000 square foot facility.
Marinello School of Beauty – San Diego
Website: www.marinello.com
Address: 7550 Miramar Road, San Diego, California 92126
Phone: (858) 547-9260
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 10 months
Overall Graduation Rate: N/A
One of two Marinello School of Beauty campuses in San Diego, the Miramar location boasts a great centralized location and a staff of experienced professionals in the fields of Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Manicuring and Massage Therapy. The school is accredited by the NACCAS and offers financial aid to qualified students.
Marinello School of Beauty – El Cajon
Website: www.marinello.com
Address: 841 Arnele Ave, El Cajon, California 92020
Phone: (562) 945-2211
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 10 months
Overall Graduation Rate: N/A
The El Cajon campus of Marinello School of Beauty is ideally situated to help students join San Diego’s rapidly growing cosmetology industry. The NACCAS-accredited institution provides training in Cosmetology, Esthetics, Advanced Facial and Body Treatments, and Manicuring.
MediaTech Institute – Oceanside
Website: mediatech.edu
Address: 302 Oceanside Boulevard, Oceanside, California 92054-5116
Phone: (760) 231-5368
Largest Program: Recording Arts Technology/Technician
Average Program Length: 11 months
Overall Graduation Rate: N/A
The Oceanside campus is the newest location for MediaTech Institute and, like the school’s other locations, offers professional training in Recording Arts and Digital Film and Video Arts. The institute is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
Mueller College
Website: www.mueller.edu
Address: 123 Camino de la Reina, #100 North, San Diego, California 92108-3002
Phone: (619) 291-9811
Largest Program: Somatic Bodywork
Average Program Length: 18 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 78%
Mueller College differentiates itself from the competition by offering flexible scheduling, placement assistance, an expert faculty and multiple financing options for students. The career college is accredited by the ACCSC and offers associate’s degrees and certifications in Business, Recording Arts, Fitness Training, Holistic Health, and Drug and Alcohol Counseling.
Newschool of Architecture and Design
Website: www.newschoolarch.edu
Address: 1249 F St, San Diego, California 92101
Phone: (800) 490-7081
Largest Program: Architecture
Average Program Length: 4 years
Overall Graduation Rate: 32%
Newschool of Architecture and Design offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that focuses on architecture, construction management, digital media arts and design to prepare students for success. The campus is located in downtown San Diego and is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Oceanside College of Beauty
Website: ocb.edu
Address: 1575 S Coast Hwy, Oceanside, California 92054-5356
Phone: (760) 757-6161 x215
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 13 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 80%
Oceanside College of Beauty has provided Cosmetology courses to local students for more than 40 years and continues to help aspiring professionals prepare for the state licensing exam. The college is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences and is a member of several regional organizations as well.
Pacific College of Oriental Medicine – San Diego
Website: www.pacificcollege.edu
Address: 7445 Mission Valley Rd Ste 105, San Diego, California 92108-4407
Phone: (619) 574-6909 x104
Largest Program: Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Average Program Length: 10 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 33%
Palomar Institute of Cosmetology
Website: pic.edu
Address: 355 Via Vera Cruz Ste 3, San Marcos, California 92078
Phone: (760) 744-7900 x115
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 11 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 92%
Palomar Institute of Cosmetology has a 25-year history of preparing students for successful careers in the beauty industry and for passing the State Board exam. The school’s Cosmetology, Esthetics and Manicuring programs are accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.
Paul Mitchell the School – San Diego
Website: sandiego.paulmitchell.edu
Address: 410 A St, San Diego, California 92101
Phone: (619) 398-1590
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 12 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 57%
Paul Mitchell the School is one of the nation’s most-respected beauty schools and its San Diego campus offers the same high-quality professional training that the network’s reputation is built on. The campus is located in downtown San Diego, has been in operation since 2004, and is accredited by the NACCAS and U.S. Department of Education.
Platt College – San Diego
Website: platt.edu
Address: 6250 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, California 92115-3919
Phone: (619) 265-0107
Largest Program: Graphic Design
Average Program Length: 24 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 65%
Specializing in Graphic Design, Web Design, 3D Design and other visual arts, Platt College is a national career school that offers diplomas, associate’s degree and bachelor’s degree programs. The college is institutionally accredited by the ACCSC.
San Diego College
Website: www.sandiegocollege.edu
Address: 3350 Market St Ste C, San Diego, California 92102
Phone: (619) 338-0813
Largest Program: Medical Insurance Coding Specialist/Coder
Average Program Length: 8 months
Overall Graduation Rate: N/A
San Diego College is a private career school that offers accelerated training programs in Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Business Office Administration, and MS Office. The school offers both campus-based and online classes, and is accredited by the Commission on Occupational Education.
San Diego Culinary Institute
Website: www.sandiegoculinary.edu
Address: 8024 La Mesa Blvd, San Diego, California 91942
Phone: (619) 644-2100
Largest Program: Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Average Program Length: 9 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 93%
Training students for careers in the culinary arts through its unique “Commis Method”, San Diego Culinary Institute focuses its program on hands-on training in the kitchen. The school is accredited through the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
The Art Institute of California – Argosy University San Diego
Website: new.artinstitutes.edu/san-diego
Address: 7650 Mission Valley Road, San Diego, California 92108-4423
Phone: (858) 598-1200
Largest Program: Culinary Arts/Chef Training
Average Program Length: 24 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 40%
A campus of Argosy University, the The Art Institute of California’s San Diego location features degree programs in the Culinary Arts, Design, Fashion and Media Arts. The school features an institutional accreditation through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Tramy Beauty School
Website: www.tramybeautyschool.net
Address: 5911 University Avenue #318, San Diego, California 92115-6347
Phone: (619) 229-8188
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 16 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 81%
With two campuses in the San Diego area, Tramy Beauty School offers one of the region’s top NACCAS-accredited cosmetology programs. The school features programs in Cosmetology, Barbering, Cosmetics, Manicuring and Massage Therapy.
UEI College – San Marcos
Website: www.uei.edu
Address: 2115 Montiel Road, San Marcos, California 92069-3587
Phone: (949) 272-7200
Largest Program: Business Operations Support and Secretarial Services
Average Program Length: 9 months
Overall Graduation Rate: N/A
The San Marcos location of UEI College features program offerings in Business Office Administration, Computer Systems Technology, Criminal Justice, Dental Assisting, Medical Assisting and Pharmacy Technology. This campus is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training.
University of Phoenix – San Diego Campus
Website: www.phoenix.edu
Address: 9645 Granite Ridge Dive, San Diego, California 92123-2658
Phone: (866) 766-0766
Largest Program: Business Administration and Management
Average Program Length: 4 years
Overall Graduation Rate: 17%
Like most University of Phoenix campuses, the San Diego location offers degree programs in Arts and Sciences, Business and Management, Criminal Justice, Education, Human Services, Nursing, Psychology and Technology. Courses are available online as well as on-campus, and are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Website: www.usa.edu
Address: 700 Windy Point Drive, San Marcos, California 92069
Phone: (904) 826-0084
Largest Program: Doctor of Physical Therapy/Therapist
Average Program Length: 6 years
Overall Graduation Rate: N/A
Located in the San Diego suburb of San Marcos, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences features physical and occupational therapy degree programs. The school carries a national accreditation through the DEAC and CHEA, and regional accreditation through the WSCUC.