Sinclair Named Best College for Vocational Training

Grace James
Dayton Business Journal

When it comes to training workers, a Dayton-area school is the best in the country. Sinclair College ranks No. 1 among colleges that provide vocational training, according to a study that evaluated more than 711 institutions in the U.S.

The study was conducted by Real Work Matters, an organization that provides information on trade, vocational and technical schools.

“Over the years, Sinclair has seen an increasing number of students entering the workforce and filling in-demand jobs because of our strong focus on work-based training programs,” said President Steve Johnson.

The report further illustrates Sinclair’s importance to the region as workforce development is the No. 1 issue facing local businesses.

The study was conducted using the most current data from the National Center for Education Statistics’ Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard. It looked at criteria such as the cost of attendance, graduation rate and the number of associate degree and undergraduate certificate programs offered.

At Sinclair, tuition and fees cost $116.03 per credit hour for Montgomery County residents and $299.40 for out-of-state residents. The target three-year graduation rate for 2020 is 30 percent. Some of the new certificate programs offered include new media, agribusiness and data fundamentals.

Offering internships and other work opportunities is an important part of the educational experience for Sinclair students, Johnson said.

“We’ve invested in apprenticeship and internship programs because our students have made it clear that they want to spend less time in school and more time gaining actual work experience,” Johnson said. “This is a national effort and it’s exciting that Sinclair is a leading example for other colleges across the nation.”

Sinclair is the largest college or university in the Dayton region with 28,500 students, according to DBJ research.