Created in 1933 to provide learners with an affordable route to a good career, Union County College continues its tradition through its campuses in Cranford, Elizabeth, and Plainfield. As New Jersey's oldest community college, Union has accrued decades of success preparing students for future careers or a four-year degree.

Union offers more associate in applied science programs than vocational certificates. Some fields of study, such as criminal justice, come in both formats. The criminal justice associate degree requires 60 credits over four semesters. Students must earn a 2.0 in all core classes. Similarly, criminal justice certificate students must earn a 2.0 in core classes, but only complete 30-31 credits over two semesters.

Applicants must submit SAT scores and an official high school or GED transcript. However, Union does not set minimum test score or GPA requirements. Students can complete some courses online.

Located in Jersey City, Hudson County Community College's prime location lets students live near New York City and other major business hub, while receiving a vocational degree or certificate at an affordable price. Many of HCCC's programs prepare students for careers in and around the NYC metropolitan area.

HCCC offers many unique programs ranked among the best in New Jersey. For example, the community college's culinary arts program offers a comprehensive education while aptly preparing learners to work in the restaurant industry. Culinary art students choose between two associate of applied science degrees (one in baking and pastries and the other in general culinary arts) or a certificate. Both the associate degree and certificate in culinary arts require a 600-hour externship.

Most of HCCC's associate degrees take four semesters to complete, while the certificates take two semesters. HCCC also organizes various apprenticeship programs with local organizations.

Lincroft-based Brookdale Community College primarily serves residents of Monmouth County. The community college teaches nearly 10,000 students pursuing a degree, over half of whom study part time. Some students also take advantage of the school's online courses, allowing for even greater schedule flexibility.

Popular fields at Brookdale include automotive technology, interior design, and fashion design and merchandising. Each field also includes different options. The automotive technology field offers an associate of applied science in General Motors automotive service or automotive technology. The first option in General Motors automotive service requires 68 credits and a 1,280-hour internship. Other programs at Brookdale follow this format, combining onsite and online education with internship or externship experience. Brookdale's certificates, like the digital drawing for interior design and architecture certificate, require 15-30 credits.

Ocean County College , a two-year community college situated in Toms River, serves more than 8,000 students. OCC has experienced an increase in minority students, working students, and available programs. Today, OCC offers associate degrees and vocational certificates through four different schools and uses an extensive e-learning campus for online courses.

OCC offers various options, including a certificate in exercise science and an associate in psychosocial rehabilitation. While most associate degrees require 60 credits and certificates require 24-30 credits, specific requirements vary. Some programs, such as the addictions counseling certificate, also require hundreds of experience hours so learners graduate with New Jersey certification and licensure eligibility. While OCC does not directly create apprenticeship opportunities, some programs allow students to count up to 20 credits through an apprenticeship.

An open-enrollment community college with nearly 13,500 students, Essex County College prepares more learners to transfer into four-year institutions than any other two-year college in New Jersey. However, ECC is also one of the best trade schools in New Jersey, with 22 associate of applied science degrees and certificates.

As a Newark-based school, ECC sees many of its graduates pursue business-related roles. The community college offers several associate degree and certificate options in business. The associate degrees in business administration and hospitality management both require 60 credits, as do most associate degrees. The certificates in career development and business professional both require 30 credits. Most certificates require 24-30 credits.

Most of the community college's programs allow for some online study. ECC also lets technical studies learners begin an apprenticeship for class credit and experience.

Created in the wake of WWII during a push to make education more accessible, Atlantic Cape Community College enrolls more than 8,000 students. The community college serves the Cape May and Atlantic counties, and its campus in Mays Landing sits just minutes away from Atlantic City and Philadelphia.

Atlantic Cape offers an array of associate of applied science degrees and certificates that lead to local positions. For example, associate degrees in Small UAS (drones) field tech and air traffic control terminal prepare learners for careers in New Jersey's aerospace industry. Most of Atlantic Cape's associate degrees require 60 credits, and students can complete some of their coursework online.

The vocational certificates at Atlantic Cape also address local industries. Certificates in culinary arts, flight instructions, and baking and pastries rank among the more interesting options. Most certificates require 30 credits, though the flight instructions certificate requires variable credits depending on whether students specialize in flying airplanes or helicopters.

Most of Middlesex County College's 11,000 students come from Woodbridge, Perth, and the college's hometown of Edison. MCC also offers a comprehensive distance education program with online and hybrid options. The college attracts students from across the world, and it currently enrolls over 200 international students.

MCC provides vocational programs at the associate degree and certificate level. Most programs focus on local industries, and many students pursue degrees and certificates in engineering or business. One of the more popular options, civil engineering technology, comes as both an associate degree and certificate. Most associate degrees take four semesters to complete, though students can accelerate this timeline by studying during the summer and winter.

MCC accepts new students and transfer students, and some vocational associate degrees also transfer into four-year universities.

Warren County Community College began offering degrees in 1987, and now offers distance education, new facilities, and a comprehensive workforce development program. Learners choose from the college's various associate of applied science and certificate options, many of which lead to high-growth positions.

Many students enroll in WCCC's vocational certificates, several of which require 30 credits to complete and take just two semesters. Four popular areas of study include criminal justice - corrections, criminal justice - law enforcement, drone pilot, and drone repair and maintenance. These programs reflect some of the in-demand positions in the Washington area.

WCCC also offers 11 associate of applied science degrees, though the web development degree currently does not accept new students. The other 10 options require at least 60 credits to complete, and some use resources from other nearby community colleges and universities to offer WCCC's students the best education possible.

Founded in 1908 as a normal school, Montclair State University eventually grew into a four-year university with over 21,000 students. However, the university also gained a reputation as one of the top vocational schools in New Jersey thanks to its certificate programs.

Montclair currently offers seven certificates through its continuing and professional education department. The certificates cover highly technical subjects, such as cybersecurity, blockchain, and analytic linguistics, ideal for students interested in a career in IT or computer programming.

While specifics vary by program, learners can anticipate completing at least some of their certificate online. For example, the cybersecurity certificate uses live online classes for its courses. After completing the online courses, students then enroll in a six-week apprenticeship, then select a track of study. Most of Montclair's certificates take 20 weeks to complete. Montclair expects learners to study full time.

With a student body of just 1,000, Salem Community College offers learners a low student-to-faculty ratio, and professors regularly interact one-on-one with students. While SCC does not use online education, the small student body and close attention paid to individual learners makes this one of the best trade schools in New Jersey.

SCC provides learners with plenty of associate of applied science degrees and certificate options, but the college's unique glass department attracts many students outside of Carneys Point. The associate in scientific glass technology, the only program of its kind, blends lectures with hands-on study, as do many other vocational programs at SCC. Graduates find positions in various fields and industries across the nation.

Like other associate degrees at SCC, the scientific glass technology program takes four semesters to complete. SCC's certificates also lead to high-growth careers and take 2-3 semesters to complete.

Located in Jersey City, New Jersey City University ranks among the state's most comprehensive universities. With an array of undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, NJCU aptly prepares students, including working students, to begin new careers in in-demand fields across New Jersey.

While NJCU does not offer any associate of applied science degrees, the university provides learners with several vocational certificates. These certificates vary in length, typically requiring 15-30 credits and taking up to two semesters to complete. While short in length, the certificates meet industry standards. For example, the cyberdefense certificate meets the National Security Agency's standards for cyberdefense, enabling graduates to pursue government careers.

NJCU also offers some programs entirely online, though vocational certificates require students to complete some or all of their education onsite in Jersey City.

Rider University , based in Lawrenceville, educates nearly 5,000 students. The university's growth over its 155-year history includes the addition of other colleges and the creation of valuable workforce development programs.

Those interested in an associate of applied science choose either a business administration or general studies major. Each option takes two years to complete and requires 60 credits. Although both options primarily prepare learners to begin a career after graduating, many of Rider's students end up continuing their education and earning a bachelor's or master's degree.

Anyone looking for a faster route to employment would prefer a vocational certificate. Rider offers seven vocational certificates, most of which combine traditional courses with practicum hours. For example, the leadership development program requires only three courses, though students must complete a 200-hour practicum and maintain a 2.5 GPA.

Founded by the Felician Sisters in 1942, Felician University is a private, Franciscan school based in Rutherford. As a private university, New Jersey students cannot take advantage of in-state tuition rates. However, through financial aid, scholarships, and tuition discounts, learners can reduce Felician's total cost.

Felician offers several associate of applied science degrees, all of which take 4-5 semesters to complete. Full-time students finish these programs in just two years. While students can complete some courses online, Felician sometimes requires students to complete an internship to gain practical experience.

Similarly, Felician's vocational certificate programs might require an internship or mentorship. However, certificates also require students to pursue a two- or four-year degree through Felician. For example, learners interested in the cybersecurity certificate must enroll in a four-year STEM degree.

One of the nation's most diverse colleges, Bloomfield College gained recognition as a Predominantly Black Institution and Hispanic Serving Institution. Bloomfield works to prepare students for successful careers, offering affordable degrees that lead to high-growth and well-paying positions.

Learners interested in a vocational program at Bloomfield must earn a certificate since the college does not offer vocational associate degrees. Bloomfield offers four vocational certificates: court reporting, network engineering, supply chain management, and diversity training. Some certificates come with additional options. For example, the court reporting certificate offers two tracks: a four-semester program that leads to careers in scoping work and a six-semester program that leads to judicial court reporting and captioning. Both options require full-time study.

Learners must study on campus in Bloomfield as the college does not offer online courses. Bloomfield requires students to complete free introductory courses before students apply to some certificate programs.

St. Francis Medical Center School of Radiologic Technology focuses entirely on the field of radiology, educating future radiologic techs and radiographers. Located in Trenton, the School of Radiologic Technology requires students to attend courses onsite, completing courses and clinical experience at St. Francis Medical Center's Trenton and Langhorne locations.

The two-year radiologic technologist vocational program covers topics including radiographic procedures, image production, radiation protection, and patient care. Students begin their clinical rotations early in their first year and complete six clinical experience courses before graduating. The associate degree culminates with a senior seminar. While the program takes as little as 24 months to complete, most students take longer to finish the degree.

St. Francis offers two tracks for radiologic techs, both of which lead to advanced practice radiation therapist eligibility. The first, meant for learners who already completed an associate degree, leads to a certificate. The second, for students without an associate degree, recommends that learners first complete 13-15 credits before applying.