Emily Griffith is Denver's cornerstone for vocational training. Offering over 50 programs, it provides hands-on experience in healthcare, trades, and technology. Its strong connection to local industries ensures students are job-ready upon graduation.
Top Vocational Schools in Denver, Colorado - June 2026
Premier technical college offering diverse career certifications.
Details
- Year Founded: 1916
- Employees: 500-1000
- Price Range: $$
- Phone: +1-720-423-4700
- Email: info@emilygriffith.edu
About the Company
Pros
- Wide range of programs
- Strong industry partnerships
Cons
- Competitive enrollment
- Limited parking
Comprehensive vocational and technical education programs.
Details
- Year Founded: 1967
- Employees: 500-1000
- Price Range: $$
- Phone: +1-303-556-2600
- Email: admissions@ccd.edu
About the Company
CCD offers excellent technical certificates and associate degrees. With a focus on accessibility and affordability, it serves as a bridge for students seeking specialized skills in fields like dental hygiene and manufacturing.
Pros
- Affordable tuition
- Central location
Cons
- Large campus crowds
- Complex registration
Specialized training for automotive and skilled trades.
Details
- Year Founded: 1946
- Employees: 200-500
- Price Range: $$$
- Phone: +1-303-722-5724
- Email: denver-admissions@lincolntech.edu
About the Company
Lincoln Tech in Denver is renowned for its intensive automotive, HVAC, and welding programs. The curriculum is heavily weighted toward practical shop work, preparing students for high-demand technical careers in short timeframes.
Pros
- Hands-on training
- Job placement assistance
Cons
- High tuition costs
- Fast-paced curriculum
Elite vocational school for cosmetology and esthetics.
Details
- Year Founded: 2005
- Employees: 50-150
- Price Range: $$$
- Phone: +1-303-567-7500
- Email: info@avedaarts.edu
About the Company
Aveda Institute provides world-class training for beauty professionals. Their immersive program covers hair styling, skin care, and nail technology, focusing on sustainable practices and high-end salon professionalism.
Pros
- Creative atmosphere
- Strong brand recognition
Cons
- Strict attendance policy
- Expensive kits
Broad spectrum of career and technical education.
Details
- Year Founded: 1974
- Employees: 200-400
- Price Range: $
- Phone: +1-303-344-4910
- Email: info@pickenstech.org
About the Company
Serving the greater Denver area, Pickens offers over 40 career programs. From nursing to aerospace, the school emphasizes work-based learning, ensuring students gain real-world credentials to advance their professional goals.
Pros
- Diverse program options
- Experienced faculty
Cons
- Commute required
- Rigid schedule
Short-term programs for healthcare and trade professions.
Details
- Year Founded: 1968
- Employees: 100-300
- Price Range: $$
- Phone: +1-303-468-3000
- Email: admissions@intellitec.edu
About the Company
Intellitec College is designed for students seeking quick entry into the workforce. Programs include medical assisting, massage therapy, and computer-aided drafting, with flexible schedules to accommodate working adults.
Pros
- Flexible scheduling
- Career-focused paths
Cons
- Limited student life
- Smaller campus
Specialized vocational nursing and healthcare training.
Details
- Year Founded: 2005
- Employees: 100-250
- Price Range: $$$$
- Phone: +1-303-292-0015
- Email: info@denverschoolofnursing.edu
About the Company
Focused exclusively on nursing, this institution offers intensive programs for LPNs and RNs. With advanced simulation labs and clinical partnerships, it is a top choice for those pursuing a rigorous healthcare career path in Denver.
Pros
- State-of-the-art labs
- Clinical network
Cons
- Very high workload
- Competitive entry
Technical certificates in machining, water quality, and IT.
Details
- Year Founded: 1969
- Employees: 400-800
- Price Range: $
- Phone: +1-303-914-6600
- Email: admissions@rrcc.edu
About the Company
RRCC offers a variety of unique vocational certificates, including renewable energy and precision machining. It provides a supportive environment for students looking to pivot their careers with highly technical, marketable skills.
Pros
- Niche program offerings
- Strong support services
Cons
- Off-center location
- High demand classes
Immersive software development and coding bootcamp.
Details
- Year Founded: 2012
- Employees: 200-500
- Price Range: $$$
- Phone: +1-855-622-4510
- Email: admissions@codingdojo.com
About the Company
A leader in the tech vocational space, Coding Dojo provides full-stack development bootcamps. The program is extremely intensive, turning beginners into junior developers through a project-based learning model in Denver's tech hub.
Pros
- Modern tech stack
- Career support
Cons
- High tuition
- Extremely fast pace
Industry-standard vocational training in cosmetology.
Details
- Year Founded: 2000
- Employees: 50-100
- Price Range: $$$
- Phone: +1-303-920-3333
- Email: admissions@denver.paulmitchell.edu
About the Company
Paul Mitchell provides a creative and vibrant environment for future cosmetologists. Their focus on current trends, business-building skills, and networking makes it a favored institution for those entering the beauty industry in Denver.
Pros
- Industry connections
- Creative curriculum
Cons
- Expensive books/kits
- Strict dress code
Technical training for automotive and diesel repair.
Details
- Year Founded: 1965
- Employees: 300-600
- Price Range: $$$
- Phone: +1-800-834-7308
- Email: info@uti.edu
About the Company
Part of a large network, this school focuses on the heavy mechanics trade. Students gain specialized knowledge in engine repair, transmission systems, and diagnostics using industry-standard equipment common in professional garages.
Pros
- Strong employer network
- High-end equipment
Cons
- Tuition cost
- Limited career variety
Specialized vocational program for medical technicians.
Details
- Year Founded: 1963
- Employees: 50-200
- Price Range: $$
- Phone: +1-303-602-2735
- Email: info@msudenver.edu
About the Company
Operating through MSU Denver, this program is designed for students seeking laboratory science certifications. It offers a highly professional vocational pathway into diagnostic healthcare fields with high placement rates.
Pros
- Academic rigor
- Strong job prospects
Cons
- Strict entry prerequisites
- Challenging coursework
Tech vocational training in data science and engineering.
Details
- Year Founded: 2012
- Employees: 150-300
- Price Range: $$$$
- Phone: +1-303-555-0199
- Email: admissions@galvanize.com
About the Company
Galvanize offers premium bootcamps for software engineering and data science. Located in Denver's vibrant tech corridor, it emphasizes community, networking, and a strong pipeline to top-tier local tech employers.
Pros
- Excellent career services
- Modern campus
Cons
- Very expensive
- Difficult admissions
Public vocational pathways for high school and adult learners.
Details
- Year Founded: 1980
- Employees: 100-300
- Price Range: $
- Phone: +1-303-428-3511
- Email: info@westminster.org
About the Company
This center offers accessible vocational pathways in culinary arts, healthcare, and construction. It is highly praised for community outreach and providing low-cost opportunities to gain certifications in skilled trades.
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Community-focused
Cons
- Smaller program selection
- Limited evening options
Vocational and degree-based creative arts training.
Details
- Year Founded: 1963
- Employees: 200-400
- Price Range: $$$
- Phone: +1-303-753-6046
- Email: admissions@rcmad.edu
About the Company
RMCAD offers intense creative vocational training in graphic design, animation, and illustration. With a focus on portfolio development, it helps students translate their artistic passion into viable professional careers.
Pros
- Top-tier faculty
- Creative resources
Cons
- Tuition costs
- Focus on niche fields
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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
- What are the best vocational schools in Denver for 2026? Denver offers several top-tier institutions, including Community College of Denver and various specialized trade schools focusing on healthcare, IT, and skilled trades.
- How long do vocational programs in Denver typically take? Most vocational and certificate programs in Denver can be completed in anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the field.
- Are vocational schools in Denver affordable? Yes, many vocational schools in Denver offer competitive tuition rates and financial aid options compared to traditional four-year universities.
- Do Denver vocational schools offer job placement support? Most reputable vocational institutions in Denver provide career services, including resume workshops and job placement assistance for graduates.
- Which trades are in high demand in Denver? Currently, healthcare, construction management, HVAC, and information technology are among the highest-demand vocational career paths in Denver.
- Can I earn a degree at a vocational school in Denver? Yes, many schools offer associate degrees alongside professional certificates and diplomas.