Quick Facts

• Location: St. Louis, Missouri
• Address: 4431 Finney Ave, St. Louis, MO 63113
• School Type: Private Nonprofit Technical College
• Programs Offered: Automotive, HVAC/R, Plumbing, Carpentry, Welding, Electrical Automation, Control Systems, Diesel Technology, Industrial Automation, Facilities Technology and more
• Training Style: Intensive hands-on shop/lab education with certificates and associate-degree pathways
• Tuition Range: 2026–27 full-time day tuition $8,904 per semester; evening technical tuition $742/credit
• Program Length: Many daytime programs approximately 2 years; shorter/two-semester certificates and evening pathways also available
• Online Programs Available: Limited for core trades; Applied Management bachelor’s is online
• Hybrid Learning: Program-specific; most skilled-trade education is hands-on
• Financial Aid: FAFSA-based aid, scholarships and other assistance; approximately 74% of students receive some form of aid
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Average Rating: ⭐ 3.7 (155 Reviews)
• Website: Official Ranken Technical College website

Overview

Ranken Technical College is one of Missouri’s best-known dedicated technical institutions and has been training students for skilled careers in St. Louis for more than a century. The main campus offers an unusually broad combination of automotive, construction, electrical, HVAC/R, plumbing, welding, manufacturing, diesel and industrial-automation programs.

Unlike a general community college with a small career division, Ranken’s institutional focus is technical education. Students spend substantial time in labs and shops developing occupational skills, with options ranging from shorter certificates to associate degrees and advanced pathways.

Programs Offered

Major St. Louis trade programs include:

• Automotive Maintenance Technology
• Automotive Collision Repair
• Certified Dealership Technician programs
• High Performance Racing Technology
• Diesel Technology
• HVAC/R Technology
• Plumbing Technology
• Plumbing & Pipefitting
• Carpentry
• Fabrication & Welding Technology
• Electrical Automation Technology
• Control Systems Technology
• Mechanical Automation Technology
• Industrial Automation Technology
• Facilities Technology
• Stationary Engineering

Fabrication & Welding Technology

Ranken’s Fabrication & Welding certificate is a two-semester program covering fabrication techniques and major welding processes.

Students work toward practical proficiency in:

• SMAW / Stick
• GMAW / MIG
• GTAW / TIG
• FCAW
• Fabrication
• Industry-standard welding equipment

The short two-semester format makes this one of Ranken’s faster pathways into a skilled trade.

HVAC/R

Ranken’s HVAC/R program combines refrigeration, electricity and commercial equipment training to prepare students for residential, commercial and industrial HVAC service work.

Students receive practical experience with heating, cooling, refrigeration and electrical systems while developing troubleshooting and repair skills.

Plumbing & Pipefitting

Ranken offers dedicated Plumbing Technology and Plumbing/Pipefitting pathways, covering pipe systems, water supply, drainage, venting and other plumbing applications.

These programs make Ranken particularly relevant for students searching for traditional construction trades that aren’t available at every technical college.

Automotive Technology

Ranken has one of the broadest automotive selections in the region.

Options include:

• Automotive Maintenance Technology
• Automotive Collision Repair
• High Performance Racing Technology
• Ford ASSET
• GM ASEP
• Honda PACT
• Toyota T-TEN

Its dealership-specific programs are a major differentiator for students who want manufacturer-focused training.

Electrical & Industrial Automation

Ranken’s electrical/manufacturing offerings include:

• Electrical Automation Technology
• Control Systems Technology
• Mechanical Automation Technology
• Industrial Automation Technology
• Electrical Maintenance
• Facilities Technology

Electrical Automation includes industrial electrical systems, PLCs, motor controls and networking, while Mechanical Automation combines technical training with paid internships.

Tuition & Financial Aid

For the 2026–27 school year, Ranken publishes:

Full-Time Day Programs
• $8,904 per semester
• Equivalent technical rate — $742/credit
• Full time begins at 12 credits

Evening Programs
• $742 per technical credit
• Typical six-credit course — $4,452

General Education only
• $206/credit

Additional student fees include:

• Day school — $715/semester
• Evening school — $360/semester
• Automotive evening — $490/semester
• Registration fee — $95

Books, required tools and industry-certification testing can add to the total cost.

Ranken reports that approximately 74% of its students receive some form of financial aid. FAFSA-based aid and other financial assistance are available for qualifying students.

Ranken also publishes program-specific cost sheets that include estimated tuition, fees, books and tools, which prospective students should review before enrolling.

Accreditation

Ranken Technical College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Why Students Choose This School

• School built specifically around technical careers
• Broad automotive selection
• Manufacturer-specific Ford, GM, Honda and Toyota programs
• Two-semester welding certificate
• HVAC and plumbing programs
• Electrical and industrial automation
• Day and evening training
• Hands-on lab/shop emphasis
• Multiple Missouri campuses
• Financial aid available for qualifying students

Career Opportunities

Depending on program, graduates may pursue entry-level careers such as:

• Automotive Technician
• Dealership Technician
• Collision Repair Technician
• Diesel Technician
• HVAC/R Technician
• Plumber Apprentice
• Pipefitter Apprentice
• Welder/Fabricator
• Electrical Automation Technician
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• Controls Technician
• Facilities Technician

Licensing and apprenticeship requirements vary by occupation.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied Google listing:

⭐ Average Rating: 3.7 (155 Reviews)

The rating is lower than some other Missouri schools in this batch, so prospective students should read recent reviews carefully—particularly those related to their intended program, tuition, scheduling and career services.

Enrollment Tips

Students should not evaluate Ranken using the $742 technical-credit rate alone. Full-time day students currently pay a flat $8,904 per semester, plus the $715 semester fee, and books/tools vary substantially by program.

Ask admissions for the current full cost sheet for your exact program before enrolling. Ranken specifically publishes estimates that combine tuition, fees, books and required tools.

Students should also verify which campus offers their chosen program because Ranken operates additional locations in Wentzville, Troy, Perryville, Ashland and Edwardsville, Illinois.

Bottom Line

Ranken Technical College should be one of the featured Missouri trade schools on TradeSchoolScout. Its St. Louis campus offers an unusually deep lineup in automotive, HVAC/R, plumbing, welding, electrical automation, diesel and industrial technology, and its dealership-specific automotive programs are a notable advantage. The main trade-off is cost: at $8,904 per semester for full-time day training in 2026–27 plus fees, books and tools, students should compare the complete program price against public options such as State Tech before deciding.