After years of hearing that a college degree is the only way to succeed, trade schools have recently been emerging as a more and more viable path towards a rewarding career. But now, many students are left in a state of confusion when trying to decide between trade school vs college.
Both college degree and trade school programs can be great career starters, depending on your career goals. Read on to find out what trade schools are, and what the difference is between trade school vs college.
What Is a Trade School?
Trade schools, often called vocational schools, are designed to train students for a specific career path. For example, electricians, hairstylists, and mechanics all attend trade schools to learn the ins and outs of their industries. Trade schools focus on offering specialized training programs for those who know exactly what they want to do and don’t want to spend time in college taking general education courses outside of their specialty.
While it used to be considered that university was the only real path to job security and a lucrative salary potential, recent shifts in mindset have seen people realize that the career-focused education provided from many trade schools impart just as marketable skills as a bachelor’s degree. People are beginning to see that a diploma is not the only way to success, and trade schools are being advertised to high school students—and even those looking for a career change—as a great option.
Differences Between Trade Schools vs Colleges
While trade schools and colleges are both viable paths to getting an education, there are a few major differences between the two. This is not to say that one is better than the other, but simply that the paths are very different and suit certain people better. When deciding between the two options, be sure to consider the following differences.
Tuition Costs
First of all, trade school is often cheaper than a traditional four-year college. After all, it’s a well-known fact that college degrees are expensive. In fact, in the United States, the average cost of a college student living on campus at an in-state, public, 4-year institution is nearly $109,000.1 In community colleges, tuition is much lower. But for those attending the more prestigious private schools, these numbers only go higher. Many students at these institutions end up spending well over $200,000 for a four-year degree.
On the other hand, trade schools cost students an average of around $15,000, though this number can range from a few thousand to more than twenty thousand.2 While the education received in a trade school is significantly different from what you would receive in a college environment, this price difference can be significant for many in deciding which path to take. Saving thousands of dollars and potentially avoiding a large student debt is no joke, and if you’re interested in learning a skilled trade, this can be a fantastic way to save.
One thing you’ll also want to keep in mind when evaluating cost, though, is financial aid options. Traditional college education is often accredited, and federal aid options are available to enrollees. In many cases, these options aren’t available to trade school students, but they may offer other payment methods such as private loans, payment plans, or income share agreements. Compare not only the tuition price, but also how you can pay for it (and what that method might ultimately cost you even more in interest).
Time to Graduate
When attending any college for a bachelor’s degree, you can expect a time commitment of around four years to earn your diploma. Many students can complete courses online or sometimes on-campus in fast track programs to earn their degrees faster, but this usually only knocks 12 to 18 months off of the study time.
Trade schools are a bit less uniform. Some vocational schooling takes five years or less to complete, but there are many trades you can study that take significantly less time. For example, learning electrical work or HVAC repair often takes students less than a year to complete. There are other programs, such as music engineering and production, that can be completed in as little as a few months.
Trade School vs College Coursework
College students know that earning a degree involves taking courses that have nothing to do with your area of study. The first year or two of a degree is often spent completing general education requirements, and there are always plenty of elective courses to work on throughout a degree.
Trade programs, however, spend their time focusing on hands-on training specifically within the area of study. If you attend a trade school to become a hairdresser, all of your education will be about the career field. Little time is spent on general classes and theoretical knowledge.
Careers
The careers you can get with a college degree are different from those you can get with a trade school certification. While some careers can be started either with a high school diploma paired with trade school education or with a college education, such as web development, many require one or the other.
For college graduates, there is often a broader job market. For example, someone who earns a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science may find job opportunities in software testing, web development, information security analysis, and so many other areas. For someone who earns a certificate in web development, that is generally the only option. This could make it easier for trade school graduates to find employment, as their education is more specialized.
Teaching/Learning Style
While teaching and learning styles are not often taken into consideration when determining the best path, it can be significant for many students. In college environments, there are typically larger class sizes, and education may be based on lectures and PowerPoint presentations. This type of education is best for those with visual and auditory learning styles.
Those who do best with hands-on learning may find the teaching style in trade schools to be a better fit. Most of trade school education is centered on career-focused training and avoids long lectures. The class sizes are also typically smaller, allowing students more one-on-one learning time.
Conclusion: Should I Attend Trade School or College?
Deciding between a college and trade school can be a difficult decision, but by weighing the pros and cons of each option, you’ll be able to determine the best fit for you. If you can spend more time and money on school and wish to have a broader education, a college degree may be your best bet. But, if you want to finish your education at a low cost and as soon as possible, a trade school may suit you better.
Either way, finishing your education is a huge accomplishment that you should be proud of. Both pathways are equally impressive and useful, and as long as you choose the option that is best suited for you—and find a reputable program that fits your learning style and goals—you can be confident you’re setting yourself up for success.
Sources
1https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college
2https://www.bestcolleges.com/research/how-much-does-trade-school-cost/
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