Wondering if trade school counts as college? With rising college costs causing concern, you may be considering trade school as an alternative and wondering how it compares. This comprehensive guide examines trade schools versus traditional colleges to help you decide if trade school is right for you.
What Exactly is Trade School?
Before comparing trade school and college, let’s clearly define what trade school is. Trade school, also called vocational or technical school, provides career or technical training and education for specific trades, like healthcare, construction, auto repair, culinary arts, and more.
Unlike broad-based academic colleges, trade schools focus directly on teaching practical, hands-on skills needed to do a job. Trade school programs typically take less time to complete than college degrees – lasting months to a couple years rather than four years or more.
Now that you understand trade school, how does it stack up to traditional college? Let‘s compare the key factors:
Trade School vs. College: Key Comparisons
When considering trade school versus college, here are some major ways they differ that you should know about:
Academic Focus
Colleges offer various academic fields of study. Trade schools intensively focus training on developing technical abilities and knowledge for skilled trades and occupations.
Credentials Awarded
Completing trade school grants certificates or diplomas related to your vocation rather than academic degrees like with college programs.
Time Commitment
Most trade school programs range from less than a year to two years max, while bachelor‘s degrees take four years or more. This allows entering the workforce faster.
Cost Differences
Average annual trade school tuition is far less than the cost of most college degree programs. This results in lower overall education debt.
Teaching Methods
Trade school classes are smaller with more hands-on learning, while college courses tend to have a lecture-based format.
Now that you see the major differences, let’s examine trade school and potential careers in more detail.
Inside Trade School Programs
Trade schools offer a vast array of programs to match almost any career interest. Some of the most popular trade school jobs include:
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Welder
- Automotive Technician
- Medical Assistant
- HVAC Tech
Programs provide tailored education and training to teach you the skills and knowledge required for that vocation. Teaching methods involve both classroom and hands-on learning.
For example, future electricians complete lab work wiring circuits in addition to studying electrical theory. This ensures graduates are job-ready upon completion rather than just having book smarts.
Program Lengths
As mentioned before, trade school time commitments are generally short term. Exact program lengths vary based on the career and school but here’s an overview:
- Skilled trades like plumbing, electrical, welding: 1-2 years
- Healthcare roles like medical assistant: 1 year
- Service jobs like cosmetology: Less than 1 year
Compare those timeframes to the standard 4-year bachelor’s degree. When weighing trade school vs. college, this faster pace is advantageous.
Certification and Licensing
Many trades require certain credentials to qualify working in the field. These are typically attained once finishing the program. Some examples:
- Electricians License
- ASE Certification for Automotive Techs
- CDL License for Truck Drivers
Licensing and certification ensure credibility and trust when providing services to customers. Trade schools prepare you to earn needed occupational credentials.
Advancing Your Career After Trade School
Trade school opens doors to many excellent careers and opportunities beyond just landing that first job. People often wonder – can I still advance without a college degree if I attend trade school?
The answer is absolutely yes. Various advancement pathways exist in skilled trades allowing you to specialize further and increase pay.
Further Education Opportunities
One route is continuing education. For instance, electricians can become journeyman electricians after several years then master electricians with more experience. Many construction trades offer these kinds of progressions.
You can also complete advanced certifications to qualify for specialty, complex, or supervisory roles. Some options per trade:
- Automotive Techs: Advanced diagnostics, shop foreman
- Welders: Underwater welding, welding inspection
- Medical Assistants: Specializing in ophthalmology, dermatology, etc.
These continuing education options often take less time than getting a whole college degree!
Salary Potential
What about earning potential? On average, trade school graduates make strong wages – often surpassing earnings of those holding four-year degrees!
For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, experienced workers make:
- Electricians – $56,180 per year
- Plumbers – $55,160 per year
- Medical Assistants – $36,930 per year
Besides formal advancement options, on-the-job experience also leads to pay raises over time. Overall, trade careers provide very fruitful lifetime earning potential.
Key Questions: Should You Go to Trade School or College?
By now you’ve learned a great deal about trade school and how it compares to traditional college. Here are some vital questions to ask yourself when deciding which educational route supports your goals and needs best:
What Career Fields Interest You?
College offers broad exposure to many subjects while trade school focuses directly on skills for target jobs. Pick the option aligning with your aspirations.
How Do You Learn Best?
Trade school emphasizes practical abilities via lots of hands-on activities. If you learn better actively through doing rather than textbooks, it may suit you well.
How Long Are You Willing to Commit?
Because trade school takes less time until entering your career, it appeals to those eager to join the workforce. If timeframe is important, trade school wins.
How Will You Manage Education Costs?
Weigh tuition rates plus earning potential in chosen careers from each option. Trade school is less expensive and leads to well-paying jobs.
No one can decide for you; reflect carefully and trust your judgement! Either pathway can lead to a bright future.
Hybrid Alternatives to Black and White Trade School vs. College Decision
What if you want the best of both worlds through a mix of trade skills and academic learning? Hybrid options exist too!
Apprenticeships
Paid on-site job training under seasoned professionals lets you earn while building skills. These are offered in construction, healthcare, IT, business, and more.
Vocational Community College Degrees
Earn an associate degree focusing totally on a specific occupation, transferrable to a university later if desired.
University Certificates or Diplomas
Colleges now offer alternative short programs similar to trade school with targeted career preparation like welding, tech, or paramedic certificates.
Perhaps this “best of both worlds” approach sounds appealing to you? Know you have alternatives to the either/or decision of trade school compared to college.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways to Decide If Trade School Counts as College
In reviewing comparisons between trade school vs. college, the main question remains – can trade school count as college?
While trade school does not provide a traditional, well-rounded collegiate experience, it remains quality higher education improving lives through meaningful career training.
Ultimately, see trade school and college as equally wise pathways. Appreciate both for their respective merits in launching graduates toward their aspirations. ("- With the information learned here, reflect deeply on your goals to determine which option best supports them given your individual needs and priorities. Trust whatever choice resonates most is the right one for you!
I hope mapping out trade school pros alongside insights on college proved helpful. Please feel welcome to reach out with any other questions!