Trade schools in San Francisco, California are admired for the quality and diversity of programs they offer, and for the number of successful Bay Area professionals who have passed through their doors. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a degree, certificate or diploma, technical colleges in the City and its surrounding communities represent a great alternative to traditional colleges, and provide a great stepping stone to a successful new career.
Below you’ll find brief descriptions of accredited Bay Area trade schools. If you’re looking for a specific program not offered by one of these institutions, you may also consider searching for online classes offered by national universities.
Accredited Trade Schools in San Francisco, CA
Academy of Art University
Website: www.academyart.edu
Address: 79 New Montgomery, San Francisco, California 94105
Phone: (415) 274-2200
Largest Program: Fashion/Apparel Design
Average Program Length: 4 years
Overall Graduation Rate: 32%
Academy of Art University is one of San Francisco’s most-established art colleges, having first opened its doors in 1929. The Academy offers a number of associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs online, as well as on-campus, and is accredited by the CIDA, CTC, NAAB, NASAD, and WASC.
Cinta Aveda Institute
Website: cintaaveda.edu
Address: 305 Kearny Street, San Francisco, California 94108-3204
Phone: (415) 989-4400
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 13 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 97%
Cinta Aveda Institute is a CIDESCO and NACCAS-accredited beauty school that features a full salon and spa, and specializes in the Aveda product line. The school offers diploma programs in cosmetology, barbering, esthiology, CIDESCO, and makeup artistry.
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising – San Francisco
Website: fidm.edu
Address: 55 Stockton St, San Francisco, California 94108-5805
Phone: (415) 675-5200
Largest Program: Fashion Merchandising
Average Program Length: 24 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 100%
Located in Union Square, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising offers bachelor’s degrees in fashion design, apparel industry management, beauty industry management, merchandising and marketing, and many other related fields. The school is a member of the AACE and CHEA, and is fully accredited by the WASC and NASAD.
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts
Website: www.gurnick.edu
Address: 2121 S El Camino Real Bldg C 200, San Mateo, California 94403
Phone: (650) 685-6616
Largest Program: Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Average Program Length: 13 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 85%
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts in San Mateo features its own imaging, physiology, patient-care, phlebotomy and medical assisting labs in order to allow students to refine their skills in a simulated setting. The school offers programs in vocational nursing, MRI technology, ultrasound technology, phlebotomy, physical therapy, and medical assisting and is accredited by the ABHES.
Heald College – San Francisco
Website: www.heald.edu
Address: 875 Howard Street Suite 100, San Francisco, California 94103
Phone: (415) 808-3000
Largest Program: Medical/Clinical Assistant
Average Program Length: 24 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 29%
Heald College San Francisco is housed in a 60,000-square foot facility in the City’s financial district, and offers programs in healthcare, business, legal and technology. The college is accredited by the WASC and CAHIIIM.
Hilltop Beauty School
Website: www.hilltopbeautyschool.com
Address: 6317 Mission St, Daly City, California 94014
Phone: (650) 992-4949
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 13 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 34%
Hilltop Beauty School offers programs that start weekly, and prepare students for careers in cosmetology, manicuring, nail care, and teacher education. The school offers referrals from former students, and is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences.
Marinello Schools of Beauty – San Mateo
Website: www.marinello.com
Address: 159 2nd Ave, San Mateo, California 94401
Phone: (562) 945-2211
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 10 months
Overall Graduation Rate: N/A
The San Mateo campus of Marinello Schools of Beauty offers programs for students interested in pursuing a professional career in cosmetology. The NACCAS-accredited school features programs in cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring, nail technology, facial and body treatment, and barbering just to name a few.
Marinello Schools of Beauty – San Rafael
Website: www.marinello.com
Address: 854 Fourth St, San Rafael, California 94901-3224
Phone: (562) 945-2211
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 10 months
Overall Graduation Rate: N/A
Marinello Schools of Beauty’s San Rafael campus is approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, and the NACCAS. The school offers courses in a wide range of cosmetology disciplines, and also features programs that help non-high school graduates succeed in the professional beauty and wellness field.
Marinello Schools of Beauty – San Francisco
Website: www.marinello.com
Address: 1087 Mission Street, San Francisco, California 94103
Phone: (562) 945-2211
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 10 months
Overall Graduation Rate: N/A
The San Francisco campus of Marinello Schools of Beauty opened in 1905 and is considered one of the Bay Area’s oldest, and most-respected cosmetology schools. This campus offers programs in cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring, and makeup artistry.
Miami Ad School – San Francisco
Website: www.miamiadschool.com
Address: 1414 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, California 94109
Phone: (415) 837-0966
Largest Program: Advertising
Average Program Length: 24 months
Overall Graduation Rate: N/A
Miami Ad School – San Francisco is ideally situated to provide aspiring advertising professionals with a unique, well-rounded learning experience. In addition to the Bay Area’s many natural advantages, the school also state-of-the-art facilities to students pursuing degrees and portfolio programs in art direction, copywriting, digital design, photography, video and mass communication.
NCP College of Nursing – South San Francisco
Website: www.ncpcollegeofnursing.edu
Address: 257 Longford Drive, Rm 5, South San Francisco, California 94080-1005
Phone: (650) 871-0701 x112
Largest Program: Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
Average Program Length: 12 months
Overall Graduation Rate: N/A
NCP College of Nursing in South San Francisco is one of the college’s two campuses in the Bay Area, and has been in operation since 1993. The college offers Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN), psychology, anatomy and physiology programs that are accredited by the BVNPT and ACCSC.
SAE Institute of Technology, San Francisco
Website: usa.sae.edu
Address: 450 Bryant Street, San Francisco, California 94107-1303
Phone: (404) 526-9366
Largest Program: Recording Arts Technology/Technician
Average Program Length: 9 months
Overall Graduation Rate: N/A
SAE Institute of Technology, San Francisco is now in its fifth year of operation as one of the Bay Area’s top educators in the Audio and Entertainment field. The institute offers certificate and associate’s degree programs in audio technology, digital journalism, and music business.
San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology
Website: www.sfiec.edu
Address: 1067 Folsom St, San Francisco, California 94103
Phone: (415) 355-1734 x7418
Largest Program: Cosmetology/Cosmetologist
Average Program Length: 12 months
Overall Graduation Rate: 74%
The San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology is a premier Paul Mitchell Partner School that approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education. The Institute offers programs in cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology and advanced studies.