Best Job Corps Centers Rankings 2026: Top Picks, Comparisons & What to Avoid
Job Corps offers free vocational training, high school diplomas, housing, and career placement for low-income youth aged 16-24--but amid Trump-era funding pauses, closures, and debates over low graduation rates (national avg. ~39%), choosing the right center is crucial. This 2026 guide ranks centers by DOL data, student reviews (Reddit, Yelp, PissedConsumer), safety incidents, trade programs like welding and CNA, dorm quality, and alumni success.
Quick Answer: Grafton Job Corps Center (MA) tops the list with a 42.7% graduation rate (10 pts above national avg.), low incidents, and strong reviews. Other standouts: Tongue Point (OR, 195+ students post-reopening), Guthrie (OK, elite welding/carpentry). Use the DOL locator at jobcorps.gov to find "near me" options. Step-by-step enrollment: Call 800-733-JOBS, check rates, visit. State top picks, pros/cons, and testimonials below.
Quick Answer: Top 5 Best Job Corps Centers to Attend in 2026
For immediate decision-making, here's the top 5 based on 2023-2026 DOL transparency reports, NJCA defenses (pre-COVID rates ~60%), and reviews:
- Grafton Job Corps Center (North Grafton, MA) - 42.7% grad rate; outperforms national avg. Low violence/relapse; strong high school diploma and trades. Enrollment: ~200-300. "Life-changing staff," per alumni.
- Tongue Point Job Corps Center (Astoria, OR) - Recovering strong post-closure scare; 195 students +53 incoming (Jan 2026). Focus: maritime trades, safety emphasis. Half of departed students returned.
- Guthrie Job Corps Center (Guthrie, OK) - Top welding/carpentry (ties Tulsa programs); student like Silverio Martinez landed phlebotomy jobs. Low cost of living.
- North Texas Job Corps Center (Denton, TX) - Elite CNA/PCT training; 3-6 mo completion. Alumni success: Kevin Ramos in solar PV.
- Devens Job Corps Center (MA) - 42%+ grad rate; near Boston jobs. Safer than avg., good dorms.
| Center | Grad Rate | Serious Incidents/Yr (Est.) | Key Trade | Placement Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grafton (MA) | 42.7% | Low (under natl avg) | Welding, HS Diploma | 70%+ |
| Tongue Point (OR) | ~40% | Low post-reopen | Maritime | 65% |
| Guthrie (OK) | 39-42% | Moderate | Welding/Carpentry | 75% |
| North Texas (TX) | 40% | Moderate | CNA/PCT | 80% |
| Devens (MA) | 42% | Low | General Trades | 70% |
Tip: Search "Job Corps near me" on jobcorps.gov for local matches. Natl avg grad: 39%; incidents: 14k/yr (372 assaults, 1,764 violence).
Key Takeaways & 2026 Job Corps Rankings Overview
- National Trends: 39% grad rate (DOL 2023-25; NJCA claims 60% pre-COVID). 14k+ serious incidents/yr across 99+ centers (now reopening via judge orders). $80k/student/yr cost; $140M deficit sparked Trump pauses.
- Top States: MA (Grafton/Devens outperform), OR (Tongue Point/Springdale recoveries), OK/TX (trades).
- Worst to Avoid: Miami (thefts, vapes, poor staff per PissedConsumer/Yelp); Inland Empire (CA, closed 2025, violence/relapse high).
- Decision Factors: Prioritize grad rates >40%, low incidents, trade match (welding/CNA), dorm reviews. CA high demand but violence reports; MA safer, higher placements.
- 2026 Updates: HR 2281 (Strengthening Job Corps Act) pushes behavioral plans; 21k students at risk but many centers reopened.
Job Corps Centers Ranked by State: Top Rated 2026 (CA, MA, OR & More)
State-by-state tops with pros/cons, enrollment, cost of living (COL) vs. national avg.
| State | Top Center | Grad Rate | Enrollment | Pros | Cons | COL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA | Grafton/Devens | 42.7% | 200-300 | High grads, safety, Boston jobs | Higher COL (120) | High |
| OR | Tongue Point | ~40% | 195+ | Reopening success, maritime | Rural isolation | Low (105) |
| OK | Guthrie | 39-42% | 200+ | Welding excellence, low COL | Moderate incidents | Low (85) |
| TX | North Texas | 40% | 250+ | CNA stars, placements | Hot summers | Med (95) |
| CA | Lemoore (survivor) | 38% | 300+ | Welding/CNA options | Violence reports | Very High (140) |
Pros/Cons Example: OR low COL, recovery vibe; CA high-demand trades but Inland Empire closure (poor reviews, Petra Romero's story: lost luggage, disrupted CNA).
Best Job Corps Centers in California Rankings 2026
CA's high volume (pre-closures) but mixed: Avoid closed Inland Empire (high violence/relapse, 2025 shutdown). Tops: Lemoore (welding/CNA, 38% grad); Alameda (HS focus). Alumni: "Great trades but watch safety" (Reddit). Stats: Higher incidents than MA; COL crushes budgets.
Highest Graduation Rates, Career Placement & Program Completion Stats 2026
DOL: Natl 39% (down from 60% pre-COVID). Standouts:
- Grafton: 42.7%; 70%+ placement.
- Case: Kevin Ramos (solar PV cert, 2022); Silverio Martinez (PCT to phlebotomy, North TX).
Completion: 3-6 mo for CNA; up to 2 yrs multi-trades. Post-grad: 10-20% wage premium (BLS-like).
Safest Job Corps Centers 2026: Violence, Relapse & Incident Reports
14k incidents/yr: 372 assaults, 1,764 violence, drugs. Low-incident: Grafton/Devens (MA, under avg.); Tongue Point (post-reopen focus). High: Miami (thefts/vapes, PissedConsumer); Inland Empire.
Women's Picks: Grafton (positive Reddit); avoid Miami. Relapse: Higher in urban/high-COL spots.
Best Trade Programs: Welding, CNA & High School Diploma Reviews
- Welding: Guthrie OK (carpentry tie-ins, $20-30/hr starts); rivals Tulsa Welding School. Testimonials: "Mastered TIG/MIG" (alumni).
- CNA: North Texas (3-6 mo, PCT success); AllNurses: "Simulate interviews, real skills."
- HS Diploma: Grafton (42.7% completion). Vs. non-JC: Job Corps free/housing edge.
Dorms: 50s-era issues (cleanliness fights); Grafton better-rated.
Facilities, Dorms & Student Life: Comparison Reviews 2026
Grafton: "Clean, supportive" (vs. Miami thefts). Yelp/PissedConsumer: Worst dorms (vapes, favoritism). Staff Reddit: MA positive; FL/CA mixed. COL: OK/OR wins.
Top vs Worst Job Corps Centers 2026: Pros, Cons & Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | Grafton (Top) | Miami (Worst) | Inland Empire (Avoid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grad Rate | 42.7% | <35% | 38% (closed) |
| Incidents | Low | High (violence) | High (assaults) |
| Placement | 70%+ | Low | Disrupted |
| Reviews | 4/5 | 1-2/5 | 1/5 |
Grafton Pros: Safety, grads. Cons: COL. Miami Cons: Chaos, thefts.
Job Corps for Women, Alumni Success & 2026 Updates (Funding, Closures)
Women: Grafton/Tongue Point (safety focus). Stories: Petra Romero (CA disruption); Guthrie women in trades. Updates: 99 centers paused (June 2025), judge reopened; HR 2281 mandates plans. 21k at-risk; 3M+ enrolled since '64.
How to Choose & Enroll in the Best Job Corps Center: Step-by-Step Checklist
- List priorities: Trades (welding/CNA), location, safety.
- Check DOL site for rates/enrollment.
- Contact admissions/alumni (social media).
- Visit: Observe classes/dorms.
- Enroll: 800-733-JOBS; apply online.
Job Corps Pros & Cons 2026: Is It Worth It Amid Closures?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free training/housing (3M+ served) | 39% grad; 14k incidents |
| Certs/placements (e.g., $24-30/hr welding) | $80k/student; deficits |
| HS diploma for 77% dropouts | Closures (but reopening) |
Vs. trade schools: Job Corps residential edge; Trump pushes alternatives.
FAQ
What are the best Job Corps centers with highest graduation rates in 2026? Grafton (42.7%), Devens (42%), Tongue Point (~40%).
Which Job Corps centers have the best welding or CNA programs? Welding: Guthrie OK; CNA: North Texas.
What are the safest Job Corps centers for women in 2026? Grafton MA, Tongue Point OR (low incidents).
Which Job Corps centers to avoid based on reviews and incidents? Miami FL, Inland Empire CA (closed, high violence/thefts).
How do Job Corps centers compare by state, like best in California? CA: Lemoore > others; MA/OR safer/higher grads.
What are the current status and enrollment steps for Job Corps in 2026 amid closures? Reopening via courts; call 800-733-JOBS, check jobcorps.gov.
