Why Trade School Is Better Than College

Is Gwinnett Tech A Good School

It is a very good college to get yourself on your feet, maybe you havent been to school in a while and need to catch up on some stuff, or maybe you were like me and was undecided with their studies at first after graduating high school so they decided to not spend that much money at any other college.

Length: Four Years Vs Two Years

For starters, a bachelors degree typically takes four years of study, which means that people who enter the workforce after receiving their bachelors degree arent doing so until age 22. That shaves some years off of a persons career and can be considered an opportunity cost for experiencing the real world hands on instead of being in a classroom. Plus, a four-year program usually makes you take classes outside of your major to fulfill credit requirements. Unless you enjoy spending time in a classroom, it may seem unnecessary to pay for extraneous credits and courses. Sure, that improv theater class was fun, but was it helpful for your chemistry major?

Trade School Vs College: Cost Time And Training Differences

Choosing a career is an important life decision. Whether youre graduating high school, exiting the military, or switching careers, its a significant commitment to enroll in higher education. Which school do you choose? What do you study? What career opportunities will you have afterwards? These are common questions when considering a possible path of postsecondary education.

Traditional 2-year or 4-year college is not the right educational path for everyone. Attending a trade school is sometimes an overlooked option for people considering their next career move. According to an article from CBS, only 3% of parents expect their child to attend a trade school. This is likely due to the perception that trade school is only for students who cant make it at a traditional 4-year college. Trade school is often seen as a second choice, due to stigma around the trades. However, there are several benefits of trade school and going to trade school after high school, according to some research, is becoming more accepted by high school students and growing in popularity.

If you are considering trade school versus college, the right path for you can depend on several factors, such as your career goals, career interests, and considerations such as cost of education and time spent in school.

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Similarities Between Trade School And College

Though trade school and college offer different educational experiences, there are a few similarities between the two. Below are the main similarities between trade school and college

• Available financial aid: In both settings, students may qualify for financial aid that can help them pay for their education.

• Improved job outlook: Both educational paths can help students find jobs with above-average salaries in their fields.

• Enrollment requirements: You typically need to have a high school diploma to enroll in either trade school or college.

Is A Trade School Better Than College

Generally speaking, trade school isnt better or worse than college, but it can be a great fit for people who dont want to spend several years completing academic study, and would instead prefer a more direct path to an entry-level career. Trade school can prepare students to begin a career in the mechanical trades, skilled trades, or even medical field in less than a year.* Certain trades dont require a four-year or even two-year degree. Rather, they require specific skills that can be gained through hands-on experience and career training.

Trade school can also be a great option for people who:

• Enjoy building things, problem solving, and working with their hands
• Learn best through hands-on activities
• Are interested in a career path that can offer travel opportunities such as welding or truck driving
• Have a passion for a specific trade, skill, or industry such as cosmetology or healthcare

*Most MTI programs and courses can be completed in less than a year.

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What Is The Difference Between Trade School And College

It would be easy to say that trade schools are for students who want to learn a trade, and colleges are for students who want to learn anything else. But its not that simple!

There are many differences to note when comparing trade school vs college.

Here is a helpful overview:

Focused Education And Training

While students at four-year colleges and universities pay big money to attend classes that have nothing to do with their majors, trade school students take only the courses they need to enter their career field of choice. And trade schools are constantly re-evaluating their program curriculum, working directly with business and industry to ensure students are gaining the most relevant knowledge and skills that can be applied to day-one after graduation.

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Trade School Vs College: A Guide To Weighing Cost Timelines And More

When it comes to furthering your education, its important to think about what type of career training will work best for you. For the past several decades, the push has been toward driving graduating high school students toward traditional colleges and universities. Thats left a big hole in the workforce, with employers experiencing difficulty attracting highly skilled blue-collar workers.

Now, with the U.S. facing a major shortage of skilled tradesmen and women, its time to take another look at the reasons to consider a trade school instead of college.

How Do I Decide Whether Trade School Vs College Is Right For Me

Even after understanding the differences, you might be asking yourself: Is trade school better than college? or Is college better than trade school? But really, trade school vs college is a personal choice. You will have to think about your own personal goals.

Are you a student with a variety of interests who isnt sure which career is the best fit? Then a traditional college degree program that gives you the time and opportunity to explore your interests through general education classes may be a good choice for you.

On the other hand, if you are a student with a solid plan for where you would like to take your career, and you want to get out into the workforce as soon as possible, a trade school may be the best option to get you on the fast-track toward earning the necessary certifications!

There is no wrong answer when it comes to trade school vs college. Both options can help you achieve your goals and get into the career thats right for you.

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Why Choose Trade School Over College

Gone are the times when people thought college was the only true path to success. I lived in that era when my parents worried if I told them that I would choose trade school over college. Traditional-college enrolment rates in the US have risen in this decade. So have the vocational schools with double the percentage growth compared to college enrolment rate. However, with the year 2020, the speculations are that the entire outlook of the higher education industry will change, and people will opt for trade school over college.

Get Your Degree Faster

The time it will take you to earn a career certificate or degree could be two years or less if you follow the time track the college recommends. This is much less time compared to a traditional two- or four-year university. Some programs offered by trade schools may even take only a few months! When you are looking to get the job of your dreams faster, it doesnt get better than this.

Before making the decision of what to do after high school or during the next chapter of your life, be sure you consider all your options. A certificate from a trade school could be the perfect fit for you and your family. The decision can be tough, but trade schools are there to answer your questions and get your started on your next career path in life. Be sure to take a look at a trade school near you!

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Getting Into Careers Faster

A key benefit of the focused education and training that trade schools offer is the accelerated nature of the learning experience. No unnecessary courses. No time wasted. That means your son or daughter can get out into the professional world and start earning what they deserve in a fraction of the time it would take if they attended a traditional college or university. At Penn Commercial Business/Technical School in Washington County, some of its trade and technical programs can be completed in as little as nine months.

The Benefits Of Going Through Trade School Vs College

RACINE Post-pandemic higher education looks different. What does the future hold for high school students moving on to the next step?

For some perspective on the college versus trade school debate, we attended a graduating seniors signing day.

Joe Lynch, 17, knew from a young age, he wanted to build things.

Construction has always been one of my bigger passions, Lynch said.

Just one day after graduating from Horlick High School, Lynch signed his contract as a registered apprentice, and is already working for Findorff, building the new Racine Aquatic Center.

Whats really cool, is that whenever I drive past this place, I can tell people I helped build it, Lynch said.

Lynch is making $19.75/hour with full benefits. That will jump to $67.33/hour by the time hes 21, because in just four years, he will become a journeyman.

Horlick High School construction teacher, Darrell Perry, is trying to get more young people to follow this path.

Hell make more than anyone thats taught him in high school, thats for sure, Perry said. You get a great retirement package. Its a fantastic career.

But enrollment to learn a trade through the Wisconsin Technical College system dropped 25 percent since 2010. Part of the problem is the underlying stigma often associated with choosing a trade over college.

There is some recent evidence that the negative perception of going into a trade has shifted through the pandemic.

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Earning Difference Of Trade School Vs College: Which Pays More

Ultimately, there is no clear answer to whether an individual trade school graduate will out earn an individual with a traditional 4-year degree.

While college graduates earn more on average, some more lucrative trades do pay more than certain college degrees. For example, the average teacher earns just $46,618. Meanwhile, the average plumber earns a more impressive $56,696 annually. To truly gauge your earning potential you will need to dive into specific careers, rather than just generalities.

In addition, these numbers do not consider loans. According to the Federal Reserve, the average graduate with student loan debt pays $393 per month in student loan debt. Because a trade school certification costs far less than a bachelors degree, trade workers will spend far less of their income repaying debt- which may help close the gap.

How Soon You’ll Find Work After Graduating

There are two factors that play a part in how soon you get hired after your studies: if you have skills that are workplace-ready, and the state of the job market when you graduate and where you want to work.

For starters, employers want to hire people who have skills that allow them to begin working immediately.

The main issue with college is that many undergraduate degrees give you a theoretical basis for work in a particular field but don’t teach job-specific skills. Of course, you can decide to become a history teacher after completing your undergrad- but this will require more college work in line with your local school board’s requirements.

In many cases, an undergraduate degree needs to be supported with more specialized studies or field work to become workplace-ready. This leaves today’s four-year college graduates facing the frustrating choice between taking part-time or low-end positions that are vaguely related to their fields of study â or accepting literally any job they can get.

In contrast, workplace readiness is where trade schools shine. If you complete two years of skills training for a particular job, you can graduate and get right to work. And the longer you work, the more your skills, responsibilities, and salary will continue to grow.

Another major factor for how soon you’ll get hired is where you’re looking for work. While construction jobs may be harder to find in a small town that isn’t growing much, there’s a TON of work in booming cities.

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Its Time To Talk About The False Negative Stigma Around Trade School

Why is it always, Make sure you go to college, and never Make sure you go to trade school?

Most high school students are funneled into two- or four-year universities. Little thought is given to other paths toward adulthood, and schools and parents often fail to present alternative options.

The allure of a college degree has tarnished the reputation of trade schools.

COVID-19 hammered most professional sectors but many trade jobs saw double or triple growth. During the economic downturn, trade labor continued expanding despite a volatile world. The pandemic revealed just how much rests upon the shoulders of skilled trade workers.

For students who may not know what they want to do, or if they merely want to try something other than college, trade school offers promise. Many trade workers collect far higher salaries than college-educated young adults and, in some other countries, trade school is popular and encouraged.

One reason high school conversations rarely gravitate to trade school is, in part, because of the stigma that comes with not attending college. But forgoing college does not equate to failure in some cases it means better pay and better work-life balance down the line.

We should advocate for pursuing trade school just as vocally as we praise the college-bound.

Underemployment is a measure that determines if an individual is working in a job they are overqualified for. For college grads, the underemployment rate is nearly 50%.

Trade School Vs College: What Finance Experts Have To Say

Education in the United States has never been considered inexpensive but back in the mid-80s college education was more than four times cheaper on average than it is now.

As students are unable to pay for college education these days without getting into debt, and the costs of tuition go up, more high school graduates are looking for new ways of acquiring the education they need to enter the labor market.

According to financial experts, a very viable option is choosing an education alternative such as trade school. So, what are the pros and cons of each of these options? Lets take a look at what finance experts have to say about trade school and college.

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A Job In The Right Field

Almost three-quarters of trade school graduates enter careers related to their field of study, while 41% of recent college grads are underemployed, working in jobs that dont require college degrees.

The job placement rate for graduates of State Technical College of Missouris HVAC program is 97% according to the schools website, with 88% of those students finding work related to their field of study.

Why Trade School May Be A Better Fit For You Than A 4

If you like the thought of working with your hands and staying busy, a career in the skilled trades can be a rewarding option. For instance, becoming an HVAC technician would allow you to get into a growing field with earning potential and job opportunities.

Trade schools are also a great choice for visual learners who retain information by seeing and doing, as opposed to sitting in a classroom. Vocational school programs can provide the type of hands-on training students need to enter the workforce with skills and confidence.

If you want to learn more about attending trade school and what to expect, fill out the form below to connect with the Admissions Team at your local MTI campus.

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Major Differences Between Trade Schools Vs Colleges Are:

Let us dive into the three major difference of time, money, and specialization for you to better understand why a trade school like CRAS is a better choice for you then traditional college if you value these three areas.

The first one is time. Do you know it only takes 11 months to go through our complete audio/music engineering and production program vs. going to college for a 4 years degree that takes on average 5 years.

Also, the first two to three years of college is usually general courses not related to anything you really want to do when you graduate. Also, consider how much the world will change in a 4-year period vs. 11 months and how that applies to what you learn over that span. In college, after four years how much of that information and education can you apply vs. an 11 month trade school program like ours at CRAS?

The second one is money. According to the college board the average cost of tuition for the 2015-2016 school year was $32,405 at private colleges, $9,410 for state residents and $23,893 per year for out of state residents.

In other words, to go to a 4-year college vs. our 11-month program that is much less, and more employment based valuable. Call today to discuss our program tuition. We also include a laptop recording package as part of the program cost while again most schools you have to pays hundred if not thousands for books you need in each class.