Deciding what to do after high school can be a big decision. Should you go to a traditional college and get a degree, or go to trade school and gain hands-on experience? While there are other options for post-high school grads than just these two, it’s common for students to choose either the traditional college or trade school route.
Both trade school and college universities prepare students for the next step in their career, but with a different approach. Let’s compare both trade school and college to help you decide what may be the right choice for you.
Trade School
What is it?
Trade schools, sometimes called vocational or tech schools, provide career-focused programs for specific fields. Trade school coursework is job-specific and hands-on, meant to equip you with the hard skills required for the career. Unlike traditional colleges, trade schools typically do not offer general education courses (arts, humanities, etc.).
Some examples of trade school programs and professions include:
Healthcare – Radiology technician, medical assistant, physical therapy assistant, emergency medical technician, firefighter, pharmacy technician
Construction/Manufacturing – Carpentry, electrician, plumbing, HVAC, automotive, welding
Technology - Computer animation, information technology, programing, coding
Other – Culinary arts, cosmetology, esthetician, veterinary technician
With trade school programs, you often earn a certificate for completion. Some fields require you to obtain a specific license in addition to your coursework and certification. For example, if you decide you want to become an EMT (Emergency medical technician), you must complete the program to receive your certificate, then take a national exam to receive your license, which allows you to legally practice as an EMT in your state.
If your program is part of a community college, you may be able to obtain your Associates (2 year) degree at the same time as your program certificate.
Some trade schools and community colleges also allow students apprenticeship and/or internship opportunities, which can provide on-the-job experience before you even complete your education.
The duration of trade school programs varies, with some programs as short as 2 months, and others up to 2 years.
Pros
- With your specialized education, it may be easier to obtain that type of job
- Job security and the demand for trades is strong
- Shorter time to complete than college
- Less expensive
- Allows you to enter the workforce sooner
- Smaller class sizes
Cons
- You may be fairly limited in career choices outside of your chosen program. For example, if you completed a welding program, it may be difficult to find a different type of job if you ever decide you no longer want to be a welder.
- Less opportunity to learn soft skills (problem solving, time management, etc.)
- Less trade schools available geographically
Check out 9 Skilled Trade Jobs in Agriculture!
College or University
What is it?
Colleges or universities offer students the ability to learn a variety of both hard and soft skills while earning an academic degree. Most college degree programs require 1-2 years of general education courses, with the remainder of courses being more specific to the field of study.
College students can earn an Associates, Bachelors, Masters, or Doctoral degree to prepare for their professional careers. Unlike the hands-on nature of trade schools, college coursework is more lecture, textbook, and assignment based.
Some general common college programs include:
- Business
- Communications
- Education
- Healthcare
- Social Sciences
- Earth Sciences
- Engineering
- Arts & Humanities
- Computer Science
Within each of these sectors are specific programs of study, in which students can complete a major or minor. For example, the college of Computer Science may include a Cyber Security program, among others.
Pros
- Ability to explore a variety of career paths
- More flexibility in job types and career movement
- Ability to keep your degree broad (example: Bachelor’s in Business Management) or more specialized (Bachelor’s in Agriculture Business: Communications with a minor in Marketing).
- Wider variety of schools available geographically
Cons
- Typically more expensive in terms of tuition costs
- Longer duration to complete (2, 4, 6, 8+ years)
- Required to take some courses you may not be interested in
- Some broad fields of study are oversaturated (meaning there are more graduates than job openings), which can make it difficult to find a job with less experience or niche skills
Deciding Which is Right for You
Trade school is a great option for students who already know the career they want to pursue when they finish high school. It allows new grads to start learning the practical skills they need for the job right away and enter the workforce sooner.
The traditional college route can be a solid choice for students who graduate high school and still aren’t decided on their career path, or, are interested in a professional career that is not considered a trade, such as accounting, for example. Some students also want the traditional “college experience” - living in dorms, joining clubs or sports teams, networking, etc.
You may be wondering – which education route will lead to a better salary? There is no definite answer, because fortunately, both trade school and college education offer a wide variety of high-paying jobs!
When trying to decide between trade school or university, consider these six questions:
- Which industries and careers interest you, and which type of school offers these programs?
- What is the ideal length of time you’d like to be in school?
- How much are you willing to spend on your education?
- How important are career flexibility and the ability to change jobs?
- What is your preferred learning style (reading/writing vs. hands-on)?
- Is the traditional “college experience” important to you?
Only you can determine which path is best for you and your future, but we hope this guide helps you make a more informed decision if college or trade school could be your right move.
Still unsure what your next steps are? Check out 5 Questions to Narrow Down Your Career Path.
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