Top Vocational Schools in Denver, Colorado - June 2026

USA / Colorado / Denver
Discover the leading vocational schools in Denver, Colorado, offering specialized career training and hands-on programs. Find the perfect institution to advance your professional skills in 2026.
1

Emily Griffith Technical College

USA, Denver
4.9

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

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.

Pros

  • Wide range of programs
  • Strong industry partnerships

Cons

  • Competitive enrollment
  • Limited parking
2

Community College of Denver

USA, Denver
4.8

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
3

Lincoln College of Technology

USA, Denver
4.7

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
4

Aveda Institute Denver

USA, Denver
4.6

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
5

Pickens Technical College

USA, Aurora
4.7

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
6

Intellitec College

USA, Denver
4.5

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
7

Denver School of Nursing

USA, Denver
4.8

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
8

Red Rocks Community College

USA, Lakewood
4.6

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
9

Coding Dojo

USA, Denver
4.7

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
10

Paul Mitchell The School

USA, Denver
4.6

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
11

Denver Automotive & Diesel College

USA, Denver
4.5

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
12

CCM Denver (Colorado Center for Medical Lab Science)

USA, Denver
4.9

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
13

Galvanize

USA, Denver
4.8

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
14

Westminster Vocational Center

USA, Westminster
4.5

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
15

Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design

USA, Denver
4.6

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.