After a high school education, you maybe wondering what path to take: trade school or college?
Let’s say you’re considering skipping the traditional four-year college route and heading to a trade school for your postsecondary education.
Trade schools offer practical training for specific jobs. Also, trade schools offer a cost-effective, shorter education that is hands-on, and has good job placement rates.
However, trade schools have limited academic opportunities, networks, credit transferability, and financial aid.
If this is a dilemma for you, use this guide to weigh the pros and cons of trade school, compare it to traditional college degree, and get tips for prospective students.
Note: by “trade school” we also mean vocational school. Some
Pros & Cons of Trade School
Advantages of Trade School
The pros of attending trade school include:
- less time spent in school
- more cost effective than universities
- reap the benefits of specialization
- high job placement
- skilled labor shortage = high demand for grads
Shorter Duration
The time commitments for trade school programs are shorter than traditional college programs. So, students who attend trade school enter the workforce quickly.
A trade school program will typically take 6 months to 2 years to complete. Getting a bachelor’s degree at college can typically take 4 years.
Some of the shortest trade school programs at vocational schools are the following.
- HVAC Technicians (6 months)
- Welding(6-8 months)
- Truck Driver(3-6 weeks)
- Home Health Aide (3 months)
- Flight Attendant (3-6 weeks)
- Electrician (8-9 months)
Cost-Effective Education
According to the College Board, the average student with a four year degree at a public college spends around $27,000 per year. In contrast, trade school students spend an average of $33,000 for their entire education.
You do the math. Obviously trade schools or technical schools are a more cost-effective route to a successful career. Saving on tuition fees means you may not have to rely on federal student loans.
Specialized Training Programs
Trade school programs offer hands-on training, which means that students learn by doing.
This hands-on approach is one of the biggest pros of trade school, because students develop practical skills that apply to certain fields. While not as in-depth as an apprenticeship, it’s still practically on-the-job training.
Vocational training programs emphasize an experiential education:
- Students learn by doing
- Students develop practical skills that are immediately useful in the workplace
- Students develop problem-solving skills.
- Students build skilled trades for specific jobs and careers.
Vocational schools focus on giving you specific technical skills for the job you want.
Unlike a traditional college education, you don’t have to spend time on general education courses that might not relate to your career.
For example, if you’re becoming a welder, you won’t spend time on classes like art history or philosophy. Instead, you’ll concentrate on mastering specific methods like arc welding, MIG welding, TIG welding, and oxy-fuel welding.
A trade school education makes you stand out to employers because trade school students are equipped with hands-on expertise in their field.
High Job Placement Rates
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6.6% employment growth for trade school jobs.
Notably, trade schools boast high job placement rates, indicating that vocational college graduates can quickly land jobs soon after completing their program.
Many trade school fields are expected to continue growing:
- Wind Turbine Service Technicians: 45% job growth, median salary of $57,320
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides: 22% job growth, median salary of $30,180
- Solar Photovoltaic Installers: 22% job growth, median salary of $45,230
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians: 21% job growth, median salary of $38,240
- Veterinary Assistants & Laboratory Animal Caretakers: 20% job growth, median salary of $34,740
Skilled Labor Shortage
The skilled labor shortage is a growing challenge in many industries, characterized by a significant gap between the demand for skilled workers and the available workforce.
This shortage is particularly acute in fields such as construction, manufacturing, and trades like welding and plumbing, where an aging workforce and a decline in vocational training have led to a scarcity of qualified workers.
As older workers retire, there aren’t enough young, skilled individuals to fill these roles.
The labor shortage benefits those in the skilled trades by creating demand for their expertise.
In these types of in demand careers, trade school graduates can expect a robust job market with ample opportunities for growth.
Disadvantages of Trade School
The cons of trade school include:
- less academic options
- limited management opportunities
- difficulty transferring credits
- less financial aid
Knowing about these downsides helps you know what the job prospects might be like, what salary to expect, and possible challenges you may encounter in the future.
Limited Academic Opportunities
The focus on practical skills for trade school students comes at the expense of broader academic exposure.
While excelling in specialized training for specific trades, trade schools may not offer a wide range of classes, limiting options for those seeking a more comprehensive education or soft skills courses.
If you’re uncertain about your career path or value exploration across multiple subjects, then you might want to consider higher education.
Limited Managerial or Supervisory Jobs
Trade school programs focus on specific occupations. Trade school grads are equipped to do a certain job very, very well.
But if you grow out of that job, or you want to go into management, you will likely need additional schooling. That means you will have to balance your work life with continuing education courses.
Traditional college degrees, with their broader education and transferable skills, offer more versatility in career paths. But, it is unlikely that you will have to worry about limited career growth potential in the current economic climate.
Limited Transferability of Credits
If you ever want to attend a university for a higher degree or more job opportunities, the credits you earned in trade school might not fully count.
You will have to take new classes, which will take more time and money.
Limited Financial Aid Options
Trade schools may offer fewer financing opportunities compared to traditional colleges.
College students have access to grants, scholarships, federal loans, and other financial aid programs. Trade school students usually have fewer opportunities for financial assistance because their schools are smaller.
Fortunately, many trade schools will help you apply for, and use, the FAFSA.
Pros & Cons of College
This segment discusses the benefits and drawbacks of attending a traditional college.
- more well rounded education
- rigorous academics
- a bachelors degree
- research opportunities
- higher earning potential long term
Advantages of Colleges
Colleges and universities provide numerous benefits, making them popular for high school graduates pursuing higher education and career opportunities.
Comprehensive Education
Colleges provide a well-rounded and complete education that covers a wide scope of subjects. Their diverse curricula foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deeper understanding of various fields of knowledge.
Academic Rigor
University programs are often rigorous and designed to challenge college students to excel in their studies. This rigorous environment can lead to intellectual growth and personal development for college students.
Colleges mandate general education courses to students, which can assist graduates in developing soft skills like communication and critical thinking.
Bachelor’s Degrees
Colleges offer bachelor’s degree programs, which are essential for many careers in fields like engineering, healthcare, education, and business. A bachelor’s degree can open many job opportunities to students after graduation and can lead to greater career advancement.
Research Opportunities
Colleges offer extensive research opportunities, allowing college students to engage in academic research and contribute to advancements in various fields. Research experience can be also valuable for an individual’s future career prospects.
Higher Earning Potential
On average, individuals with college degrees tend to earn higher salaries over their careers than those with only a high school diploma. Certain professions, such as medicine, law, and engineering, require college degrees for entry.
Disadvantages of Colleges
Colleges offer numerous benefits but also have certain disadvantages that individuals should consider when they want to pursue higher education, like the following:
- higher cost
- post college debt
- longer duration
- harder to get into
High Tuition Costs
College tuition can be expensive, especially for private institutions and out-of-state students. The cost of attending school, including tuition, fees, room, and board, can lead to significant debt for many graduates.
Student Loan Debt
Many college students graduate with substantial student loan debt, which can take years or even decades to repay. High debt levels can impact financial stability and delay life goals such as homeownership and retirement savings.
Time-Consuming
College degree programs, especially bachelor’s degrees, typically require several years of study. This extended duration can delay entry into the workforce and earning a full-time income. College degree programs typically require 120-128 college credits and typically take four years. Some allow staggered completion in seven to 10 years.
Competitive Admissions Process
The college admissions process is highly competitive, making it challenging for some students to enter their preferred institutions.
Conclusion
Now that you have weighed the pros and cons, use the considerations below to help you decide.
- Consider your preferred learning style, as trade schools may be more suitable for hands-on and practical learning.
- Consider your career goals, as trade schools provide targeted training for specific skills and certifications, while colleges offer a broader range of academic disciplines.
- Consider your long-term career aspirations, as some professions require advanced degrees to advance and earn more.
- Assess career flexibility, as trade schools prepare you for specific trades, while colleges offer greater versatility.
- Consider industry demand, as some trades are in high demand while others have competitive job markets, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Remember, Current Economic Factors Favor Trade Schools
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a positive trend for many trade jobs from 2022–2032.
According to the same report, wind turbine service technicians even rank highest among the fastest-growing occupations, with 45% job growth.
Besides this positive outlook, trade school graduates enjoy the benefits outlined above, proving that trade schools are worth it and a good alternative to a college degree.
