By Katie Northcott
Seventeen Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology are included in USA Today’s list of America’s Top 250 Vocational Schools for 2025, including TCAT McMinnville and TCAT Shelbyville.
USA Today partnered with Statista, a market research firm, to create its first annual ranking of “America’s Top Vocational Schools.” Schools were judged on graduation rate, graduates’ salary, years to pay off net cost, social mobility, and diversity.
“Vocational programs—in fields like welding, culinary arts, and auto repair—have grown in popularity and size,” USA Today reported. “Between 2020 and 2023, trade school enrollment jumped by roughly 5% according to a 2024 report from Validated Insights, a higher education marketing firm.”
TCAT McMinnville’s programs include Automotive Technology, Building Construction Technology, Computer Information Technology, Cosmetology, Industrial Electricity, Industrial Maintenance, Machine Tool Technology, Massage Therapy, Practical Nursing, Truck Driving, and Welding.
Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect allow eligible new high school graduates and adults without college credentials to attend for free. Information about both programs is available at collegefortn.org.
“Being named among the best affirms the strength of our mission and inspires us to continue striving for excellence,” said Dr. Melody Edmonds, TCAT McMinnville President, in a press release.
According to the press release, the state has invested more than $1.5 billion over the last three years in new buildings, training equipment, and other campus improvements at TCATs across the state.
The 17 Tennessee schools on the list:
TCAT-Crossville, TCAT-Crump, TCAT-Dickson, TCAT-Elizabethton, TCAT-Jacksboro, TCAT-Jackson, TCAT-Livingston, TCAT-McKenzie, TCAT-Morristown, TCAT-Nashville, TCAT-Northwest, TCAT-Shelbyville, TCAT-Athens, TCAT-Harriman, TCAT-Hartsville, TCAT-McMinnville, TCAT-Memphis.
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