Jump to navigation Skip to Content
September 2, 2025
TCAT Dickson is among USA TODAY’s list of America’s Top 250 Vocational Schools in the United States for 2025.
Sixteen other TCAT institutions across Tennessee also made the list making Tennessee the 4th ranking state in the number of institutions cited following California (35 institutions), Florida (25), and Texas (22).
The USA Today article, What are the best vocational schools in the US?, noted that the list was created to help students navigate career and technical education options. The nationwide newspaper partnered with the market research firm Statista to create its first annual ranking of "America’s Top Vocational Schools." The rankings, developed by Statista in collaboration with USA TODAY, were judged on five primary metrics: graduation rate, graduates' salary, years it takes to pay off net cost, social mobility and diversity.
Tennessee’s Colleges of Applied Technology are public career and technical postsecondary institutions known for their high quality of instruction, high graduation and job placement rates, high licensure rates in fields requiring licensure, affordability, and broad array of program offerings.
Through Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect, eligible new high school graduates and adults without college credentials may attend free of tuition and mandatory fees – increasing affordability beyond the colleges’ low tuition rates. Information about both programs and other federal and state financial aid is available at collegefortn.org
Along with Tennessee’s public community colleges, the TCATs are part of The College System of Tennessee, governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR). Through the work of Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly, the state has invested more than $1.5 billion in new buildings, training equipment, and other campus improvements at TCATs across the state in the last three years.
“The USA Today research confirms what we have known for years: the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology are among the best institutions for high-quality career and technical education in the country,” said TBR Chancellor Dr. Flora W. Tydings. “They are accredited, state institutions and the best, most affordable option for anyone seeking to enter well-paying, in-demand careers.”
TCAT Dickson has campus locations in Dickson, Clarksville, and Franklin with plans to expand to Stewart and Houston Counties in the next twelve months.
Students can choose from a wide range of career programs, including automotive technology; building construction technology; computer information technology; computer-aided design technology, cosmetology, dental assisting; diesel powered equipment technology; digital graphic design; heating, air conditioning and refrigeration technology; industrial electrical maintenance /mechatronics; machine tool technology; mechatronics multicraft tech; off-road diesel tech; patient care technology / medical assisting; pharmacy technology; practical nursing; truck driving; and welding (day and evening).
More information on each TCAT’s program offerings is available on the Tennessee Board of Regents website at https://www.tbr.edu/institutions/colleges-applied-technology and by visiting any TCAT campus across the state.
USA Today noted that data on school performance was collected by Statista through publicly available federal databases. The schools were ranked on a star system and excluded if they were unaccredited, failed specific financial responsibility metrics or had a high percentage of graduates defaulting on their student loans.
All TCATs are accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE), the national accrediting agency for career and technical education institutions.
The USA Today listing of top vocational schools and the complete article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/07/21/top-vocational-sch...
TCAT Dickson was listed among USA Today’s list of America’s Top 250 Vocational Schools in the United States for 2025. Sixteen other TCAT campuses across the state were also included among the top 250 making Tennessee the 4th ranking state in the number of institutions included following California, Florida, and Texas. TCAT Dickson has campus locations in Dickson, Clarksville, and Franklin with plans to expand in Stewart and Houston Counties in the next year.