Top 5 Benefits of a Trade School

A trade or vocational school is a post-secondary institution designed to give students the technical skills to prepare them for a specific occupation. Trade schools can be public or private, but many are for-profit businesses. 

Generally, people will attend trade school to advance their skills and education in less than four years. At a trade school, you can get a degree in industries including information technology, nursing and health sciences, automotive technician training, and medical assisting. Program lengths vary, typically ranging from eight months to two years.

And now, with the US facing a major shortage of skilled tradesmen and women, it’s time to take another look at the reasons to consider a trade school instead of college.

Would a trade school be the right fit for you? The following are the top five benefits of attending a trade school. 

Save Money

Average 2021-2022 annual tuition for public, four-year colleges was $10,740 for state residents and $27,560 for out-of-state residents, according to CollegeBoard data.

After four years, graduates end up paying around $127,000 for their degrees. Of those, at least 20% graduate with over $50,000 in debt, and nearly 6% graduate with over $100,000 in student loan debt. 

Paying for trade school will often be less expensive than a four-year degree. On the high end, a trade school is around $33,000 to complete. However, there are programs available that cost less.

Some specialized training programs can be pricey, and travel and living expenses may also factor in if a program isn’t available in your area. But overall, choosing a trade school means the student will graduate with less student loan debt and can enter an in-demand profession. 

Faster Graduation Timeline

One of the most significant benefits of going to a trade school is the shorter graduation timeline. A program can take as little as four months to complete. However, you should allow yourself up to two years to complete it. 

After you decide which type of career you will pursue, you must locate a school that offers your intended career choice and then inquire about the specific requirements of that trade.

A few jobs that require a year or less of a trade school include an HVAC mechanic/installer, massage therapist, dental assistant, court reporter, truck driver, construction equipment operator, real estate agent, and private investigator. 

Additionally, 10 of the most in-demand jobs that require just a two-year degree include a veterinary technician, child care provider, pharmacy technician, paraprofessional, medical records clerk, cook, police officer, sales representative, web developer, and MRI technologist. 

In today’s world, convenience and flexibility are essential. Traditional four-year institutions start in the fall of every year, while trade schools often have multiple start dates throughout the year.

Fewer Admission Requirements

Colleges and universities typically look for many factors during the college admissions process, including course grades, the strength of the curriculum, admission test scores, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, an essay or writing sample, and personal qualities. 

On the other hand, trade schools offer a more straightforward admission process than four-year colleges. First, you must be 17 years old to apply to a trade school. Any younger applicants need parental consent to enroll. 

Next, you likely need a high school diploma or GED certificate. Trade schools generally don’t require students to submit SAT or ACT scores, but those who have not completed high school may need to pass a standardized exam.

Although a letter of recommendation, test scores, or other supplemental material can help an applicant stand out, passion for trade often trumps academic qualifications at trade schools.

Real-World Experience

Before you can graduate, most trade school programs require you to complete hands-on training, such as an externship or clinical internship. For example, medical assistant students must complete an externship with a doctor’s office or medical clinic following a series of classes. 

And with limited general education courses and theory classes, trade schools can focus on practical training and job preparation with learn-by-doing projects. These projects give students the tools to gain professional experience and training simultaneously. 

Hands-on training breaks the barriers of lecture-based classrooms and keeps students engaged and motivated by the promise to learn by doing.

Small Classroom Sizes

Four-year colleges can feel impersonal with high student populations. And lecture halls and auditorium-style classrooms don’t allow students to connect meaningfully with their teachers. 

Trade schools accept a smaller population of like-minded students since they offer fewer general education courses. Therefore, classes are much smaller and typically only include students pursuing the same credential, providing greater access to instructors and more inclusive discussions. 

Notably, you can expect training from experienced professionals who know what it takes to work in the field and feel passionate about their work.