Forbes Cites Top 25 Two-Year Trade Schools; SkillsUSA Chapters Among Them

Published: August 22, 2018
For the second year, Forbes magazine has ranked the nation’s top two-year trade schools, in a list of technical and career colleges with high-earning alumni, stand-out graduation and retention rates, and respectable debt repayment scores. The 25 schools on the list cover a variety of careers in high-paying, high-growth areas, such as aircraft maintenance, funeral services, dental hygiene and drafting. During the 2017-18 school year, there was a SkillsUSA chapter in place at 15 of Forbes’ top 25 schools. The chapters are:
  • North Central Kansas Technical College (Kan.)
  • State Technical College of Missouri (Mo.)
  • Lake Area Technical Institute (S.D.)
  • Lancaster County Career and Technology Center (Pa.)
  • Mitchell Technical Institute (S.D.)
  • Salina Area Technical College (Kan.)
  • Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (Pa.)
  • Northwest Iowa Community College (Iowa)
  • North Dakota State College of Science (N.D.)
  • Lakeside Technical College (Wis.)
  • Northwest Louisiana Technical College (La.)
  • Bates Technical College (Wash.)
  • Moraine Park Technical College (Wis.)
  • Manhattan Area Technical College (Kan.)
  • Dakota Area Technical College (Minn.)
SkillsUSA’s good friend Mike Rowe also shared the new Forbes list on his Facebook page. “Two years ago, I made a short video that criticized national publications for ranking America’s top four-year colleges and universities while completely ignoring two-year trade schools,” Rowe said. “It really is an outrageous oversight that reinforces the stubborn belief that some forms of education are more important than others. To their credit, Forbes magazine acknowledged the bias, and dedicated a whole issue to ranking the best trade schools in the country. This is their second annual issue, and my second opportunity to congratulate them for doing what their competitors have not. Nice job, Forbes.” To see the Forbes article, go here: https://bit.ly/2MErVWF To see Mike Rowe’s full post, here is the link: www.facebook.com/TheRealMikeRowe/  

Related Stories

May 16, 2024

Clifford H. “Ted” Rees, Jr. Scholarship Awards Announced

The Clifford H. “Ted” Rees, Jr. Scholarship Foundation, an Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Charitable Foundation offered four one-time, merit-based $2,500 scholarships to SkillsUSA members in 2024.
May 14, 2024

TechForce Foundation, SkillsUSA Collaborate to Empower Next Generation of Skilled Technicians and Solve Technician Shortage

TechForce Foundation and SkillsUSA have entered a strategic collaboration to empower the next generation of skilled aviation, automotive, collision repair, diesel, and welding technicians and tackle the technician shortage head-on.

Search Press Room:

Media Contacts

For more information about SkillsUSA, contact:

Jane A. DeShong Short

Senior Manager, Public Relations/Communications
703-737-0612

Karen Kitzel

Associate Director, Communications
703-737-0607

Helpful Links

SkillsUSA Advocacy Site

The SkillsUSA Advocacy Site is a free service for SkillsUSA members to reach the news media or contact policymakers with your message.

Mike Rowe

Mike Rowe for SkillsUSA

View More
Kayleen-McCabe-2016-300x200

Kayleen McCabe PSA

Kayleen McCabe PSA