Best Trade & Tech Schools inSan Francisco, CA

Top Trade and Tech Schools in San Francisco, CA

Looking for a good trade school in San Francisco can be a tiresome and struggling task.

So, we decided to make that easier by explaining the benefits and potential disadvantages of trade schools in this city.


University of San Francisco

Enrollment: There are admission requirements that have to be met if you want to enroll at the University of San Francisco.

You can submit a completed Common Application with the non-refundable application fee by the application deadline.

Applications for admission are available beginning in August and you have to provide all supplementary materials sent directly by your high school or testing agency.

The documentation includes High School Transcript showing grades from 9th through 11th grade, Fall Senior Grades, School Report, one recommendation from your school counselor or a teacher in a core academic subject and SAT or ACT scores which are not obligatory, but highly recommended.

If you do choose to submit your scores, you may have them sent directly from the testing agency, or you may send unofficial scores.

Fees: Full-time tuition that has to be paid is $49,740.

Courses Offered:

These are just a few programs offered:

  • Accounting
  • Advertising
  • Architecture and Community Design
  • Art History & Museum Studies
  • Asian Studies
  • Biology
  • Biotechnology BS/PSM (4+1)
  • Chemistry
  • Communication Studies
  • Comparative Literature and Culture
  • Computer Science
  • Computer Science BS/MS (4+1)
  • Critical Diversity Studies
  • Data Science
  • Design
  • Economics
  • Economics BA/MA (4+1)
  • Education: Teacher Preparation, Dual Degree Program
  • Engineering*
  • English
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Finance
  • Fine Arts
  • French Studies
  • History
  • Hospitality Management
  • International Business
  • International Studies
  • Japanese Studies
  • Kinesiology
  • Latin American Studies
  • Marketing

Contact Information:

  • University of San Francisco
  • Address: 2130 Fulton St, San Francisco, CA 94117
  • Phone: +1 415-422-5555
  • Web: https://www.usfca.edu

Golden Gate University

Enrollment: So as to enroll at this university, you need to meet the minimum requirements.

To be considered for full admission to the Associate of Arts in General Studies, the Bachelor of Arts in Management or the Bachelor of Science in Business, you should have a community college, college, or university cumulative grade point average of 2.00 (C) or better.

You are supposed to provide the completed Admission Application Form and Fee, Official Academic Transcripts while those students who did not complete high school must provide results from the General Educational Development (GED) examination or the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE).

The Golden Gate University does not require entrance exams (ACT/SAT).

If it is the case that an applicant does not meet the minimum admission requirements, it is recommended that he/she provides a written personal statement.

Applicants should use the online application at www.ggu.edu for applying while all required documents should be sent to Golden Gate University, 536 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105 or via e-mail applications@ggu.edu.

Fees: Tuitions costs are $462 per unit.

There is also a nonrefundable application fee of $55.

Courses Offered:

  • Business & Management
  • Taxation
  • Accounting
  • Law

Contact Information:

  • Golden Gate University
  • Address: 536 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
  • Phone: +1 415-442-7000
  • Web: http://www.ggu.edu

Rithm School

Enrollment: The application process consists of a few steps and everything is made simple and easy.

The first one includes filling out the application form available on the school’s official website.

Once you submit the application form you will be sent an email to book a call with our Director of Admissions to determine what your next best steps are and you will also be asked to join our Interview Prep Classroom.

Then, you are supposed to schedule a free chat with the Director of Admissions and prepare for the JavaScript prep course and Problem-solving exercises, as you are supposed to successfully pass them.

The last step is to visit the campus for a technical interview, focused on problem-solving after which a decision to allow you to enroll or not will be made.

Once you submit the application form you will be sent an email to book a call with our Director of Admissions to determine what your next best steps are and you will also be asked to join our Interview Prep Classroom.

Fees: The total tuition possible that future students are supposed to pay is $34,500.

Courses Offered:

  • Web Development Program

Contact Information:


Bay Area Medical Academy

Bay Area Medical Academy is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

Enrollment: Each program has its own steps and requirements, so you should take a closer look at what information you will need to proceed with the admission process.

Bay Area Medical Academy accepts candidates into the Medical Assistant after an initial interview with one of the Admissions Representatives and a final interview with an instructor.

You can schedule an appointment by calling their main office.

The requirements you will need to meet for the admission into the program are:

  • Be 18 years or older
  • Finished high school or higher level academy
  • Payment of minimum deposit
  • A passing English test score of 70% or higher
  • 2 sealed official transcripts

If you are applying for the Pharmacy Technician program, you will need to meet all the above-mentioned requirements, plus pass a criminal background check.

Fees: Fees and tuition vary depending on the chosen program.

Courses Offered:

  • Medical Assistant with Phlebotomy
  • Pharmacy Technician
  • Phlebotomy Technician
  • CPR

Contact Information:

  • Bay Area Medical Academy
  • Address: 530 Bush St #201, San Francisco, CA 94108
  • Phone: +1 415-217-0077
  • Web: https://www.bamasf.com

San Francisco Art Institute

Enrollment: The application requirements include

  • Online application submission, including the $75 non-refundable application fee
  • Portfolio and artist statement(BFA applicants)
  • Critical essay(BA applicants)
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Official high school/secondary school transcript(s) or CHSPE/GED certificate
  • Official college transcript(s)

The acceptance will be based on a review of your application materials.

It is suggested that you submit your application materials in one package.

You should submit your portfolio and artist statement via SlideRoom.

Your portfolio should consist of 10–15 digital images and/or 3–4 video clips while in your artist statement you should briefly explain the ideas and content of the work in your portfolio.

When it comes to transcripts, SFAI requires transcripts of all high school, college, or university coursework, and you can either submit it online via Parchment or you must request an official transcript to be sent directly from your school.

Fees: Tuition costs are estimated to be $45,664.

Courses Offered:

Some of the programs are:

  • Art + Technology
  • History + Theory Of Contemporary Art
  • Film
  • Photography
  • Painting
  • Printmaking
  • Sculpture

Contact Information:

  • San Francisco Art Institute
  • Address: 800 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94133
  • Phone: +1 415-771-7020
  • Web: https://sfai.edu/

Outco Inc.

Outco is offering high-quality education for future software engineers.

Enrollment: If you are wondering how to apply for this course, you should know that there is an application form on the official website which has to be completed and once received, you will be scheduled a coding fundamentals check.

Applications are due the Wednesday before class begins, so make sure you submit it on time.

The reason for submitting your background form is to make the school staff able to review your engineering background and any portfolio materials you provide.

If your background proves that you are a good match for their programs, a check, which is a one-hour online session with one of the Outco technical coaches will be scheduled for you.

You will be asked the question “What makes for a successful Outco applicant?”

All this means that you should not waste your time applying if you are not eligible for this course.

Fees: There are three different payment plans offered for tuition payment:

  • $0 upfront + 10% of your first year’s salary paid over 6 months after starting your job.
  • $1,500 upfront + 5% of your first year’s salary paid over 3 months after starting your job.
  • $5,000 upfront.

Courses Offered:

  • Software engineer

Contact Information:

  • Outco Inc.
  • Address: Mills Building, 220 Bush St #1078, San Francisco, CA 94104
  • Phone: +1 415-712-0646
  • Web: https://www.outco.io

Film Connection Film Institute

Enrollment: Film Connection Film Institute is not a place where each person can achieve education, as its programs are designed only for those who are really interested in the field of film technology and film making.

Even though there are no special requirements for enrollment, future students will be only those that are determined to be qualified for this school.

The main selection criteria will be based on the student’s interest in this filed and the final decision will be made after the interview with the mentor.

If the mentor decides that this school is the right choice for you, you must submit an application to the Film Connection, which can be found on the school’s official website.

Fees: Each person who has decided to enroll in the Film Connection Film Institute is interested in the tuition costs and how much money will be necessary to reach a degree.

Knowing these costs in advance makes you able to plan how you are going to pay for your education.

Tuition varies depending on the program chosen.

Film Connection for Film Production & Editing Tuition cost is $13,040.

Film Connection for Cinematography Tuition cost is $12,750.

Courses Offered:

  • Film Production & Editing
  • Cinematography
  • Editing
  • Screenwriting

Contact Information:

  • Film Connection Film Institute
  • Address: 555 California St #4925, San Francisco, CA 94104
  • Phone: +1 415-230-2810
  • Web: https://www.filmconnection.com

American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine

The program is nationally and regionally accredited by WSCUC and ACAOM.

Enrollment: If ways of applying are what concerns you, you should know that you will need to submit the following materials:

  • Completed Online Application
  • Official sealed transcripts from all institutions attended
  • Two letters of recommendation should be from individuals who have been teachers, mentors or supervisors.
  • Current resume which should speak about the applicant’s education and post-graduate training, work history, professional and health care licenses received.
  • Statement of purpose essay in which the applicant will be speaking about personal and professional reasons for pursuing a graduate degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and why he/she wished to study at ACTCM specifically.

The application documentation except official transcripts may be submitted through the Online Application Form, while official transcripts may be emailed to materials@ciis.edu or mailed to:

CIIS Admissions Office
1453 Mission St
San Francisco 94103

Fees: There is a $65 application fee that has to be paid.

Courses Offered:

  • Master of Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • First Professional Doctorate (DACM)
  • Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (DAOM)
  • Transitional Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (Transitional DACM)

Contact Information:

  • American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  • Address: 455 Arkansas St, San Francisco, CA 94107
  • Phone: +1 415-282-7600
  • Web: https://www.actcm.edu

Academy of Art University - School of Photography

The Academy of Art University is proud to have accreditations in CIDA, CTC, NAAB, NASAD, and WSCUC.

Enrollment: The Academy of Art University is looking for dedicated students and only those who really want to become art and design leaders are encouraged to apply for admission.

The great thing to know is that no previous experience with art and design needed.

The first thing you should do, when it comes to the application procedure is to fill out an application form which takes 15-20 minutes to complete.

If you need some kind of support, the admissions representative is there to walk you through the process.

Fees: Future students are supposed to pay a $50 application fee and $50 per semester Registration Fee.

Courses Offered:

  • Acting
  • Advertising
  • Animation & Visual Effects
  • Architecture
  • Art Education
  • Art History
  • Communications & Media Technologies
  • Fashion
  • Fine Art
  • Game Development
  • Graphic Design
  • Illustration
  • Industrial Design
  • Interior Architecture & Design
  • Jewelry & Metal Arts
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Motion Pictures & Television
  • Music Production & Sound Design for Visual Media
  • Photography
  • Visual Development
  • Web Design & New Media
  • Writing for Film, Television & Digital Media

Contact Information:

  • Academy of Art University – School of Photography
  • Address: 740 Taylor St, San Francisco, CA 94108
  • Phone: +1 800-544-2787
  • Web: https://www.academyart.edu

UC San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing

The Master’s degree program in Nursing at UCSF is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Enrollment: Each program has its own eligibility requirements.

The Master’s Entry Program in Nursing is designed for applicants without previous nursing preparation but who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field.

All applicants should know that applications will not be considered complete until all educational institutions send official transcripts to the Office of Student Affairs.

Furthermore, you are supposed to name five recommendations from individuals who are familiar with your work or community experience.

Make sure you are acquainted with additional requirements related to a specific program.

Applicants are not required to have taken the Graduate Record Examination as a part of the application process.

Fees: There is an application fee of $105, while tuition costs vary depending on the program.

Courses Offered:

  • Master of Science
  • Master’s Entry Program in Nursing
  • Online MS Healthcare Administration & Interprofessional Leadership
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • PHD, Nursing
  • PHD, Sociology

Contact Information:

  • UC San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing
  • Address: 2 Koret Way, San Francisco, CA 94143
  • Phone: +1 415-476-1435
  • Web: https://nursing.ucsf.edu/

Trade Schools in California by City

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Final Thoughts

Now, that you are sure that you want to get technical skills to prepare yourself for a specific occupation rather than attend a four-year university, it is up to you to select the field and pick the school which best suits your needs.

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