Are you confused about whether to go to a trade school or college? Both are good for many career options.

Let's briefly consider the best choice: a trade school education or a four-year degree.

We'll also look at which school is in high demand.

What Is a Trade School?

Trade schools, instead of focusing on general education and liberal arts education classes, offer specialized training related to a specific set of technical skills and award a school diploma upon completion.

Many call these institutions "vocational schools" because they focus on career, technical education paths, and hands-on skills.

What Is a College?

A college is an establishment focusing on providing post-secondary education.

Many people or school students consider traditional colleges for higher education, as they provide a broader set of educational opportunities.

To illustrate the costs involved in a college education, for the 2019-2020 academic year, the estimated tuition and fees at the University of Washington-Seattle Campus are $11,445 if you are a resident.

Types of Trade School Careers

If you're going to a vocational school for education courses, there are certain types of careers that you can choose as a graduate of a skilled trade:

• Plumber
• Electrician
• Nursing assistant
• Dental hygienist
• Commercial truck driver

Pros and Cons

For a successful career path, knowing the pros and cons of technical school diplomas vs. traditional college degrees is important. Let us look at some of the examples given here:

Programs offered

The main difference between the benefit of a trade school and a college is their teaching approach, as trade schools focus on vocational training while colleges concentrate on academics.

As a consequence, they provide different programs and courses.

Aside from program differences, students can expect differences in the skills they can learn at each institution.

As technical school graduates are very straightforward and only a few extracurricular activities are available, some students may be unable to hone soft skills like communication and leadership.

On the other hand, traditional college education offers a wide range of possibilities for students to engage in character-enhancing or culturally diverse experiences.

Duration of a program

A typical college degree program consists of 120 to 128 semester credits. Students can often finish these credits in four years.

However, there are also accelerated online programs that they can finish in two years as their focus is on broader education and having a smaller career field.

Vocational career paths have 60 credits of coursework. Depending on which coursework you take each semester, this is frequently finished in eight months to two years.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage of professionals with postsecondary non-degree awards is $37,670, and those with an associate degree typically earn $52,830.

Job flexibility in a career

Traditional college students have an advantage when discussing career flexibility since they have a firm understanding of broad concepts, allowing them to have some knowledge of the different aspects of a field of study.

A college student's degree allows them to be more flexible in choosing a career and switching careers further down the road.

Trade school graduates' skills are limited, as they are trained to perform technical tasks related to a specific trade job.

It prevents them from working in other fields and industries and helps them adjust to a workplace environment directly related to their educational path.

High Demand Trade School vs. College

Trade school has a lot of advantages, as some trade skills are in high demand.

In contrast, the number of jobs for college graduates is decreasing as more students graduate every year.

This situation means more college graduates are looking for work and less job security for college graduates.

The Right Choice

Even after understanding the differences and trade school degrees and college degrees, you might ask yourself, "Is trade school better than college?" or "Is college better than trade school?"

Which is the best option for a job? But, choosing between a trade school education or college is a personal choice. So, you'll have to consider your personal goals.

According to research by Degree Query, 30% of students worldwide only go to a four-year college because they think it's the natural progression after high school, and 23% only go because they believe it's what's expected from them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the differences between a trade school and a college?

There are various distinctions between a trade school and a college. However, the primary difference is their approach to teaching.

Colleges teach academic subjects such as English, math, science, history, etc., whereas trade schools focus on vocational training.

They also differ in terms of curriculum. For example, a program at a trade school focuses on practical skills and hands-on learning, while a college education teaches theoretical knowledge.

What is the price of attending a trade school?

Just like with traditional colleges, there are various costs associated with attending a trade school. These include tuition fees, books, supplies, transportation, living expenses, etc.

However, a benefit of trade school is that it is generally less expensive to attend than a regular 4 year college. Financial aid is often available for those who qualify to help offset school costs; learn more about PCI’s financial aid services.

Are trade school degrees worth it?

Yes! There are many benefits to earning a trade school degree.

For one thing, you get academic learning experiences like welding, plumbing, carpentry, electrical wiring, and so on. Moreover, these skilled trade workers are highly sought-after in today's economy.

Another benefit is that you can earn a higher salary when you enter the workforce.

The Association for Career and Technical Education found that 43% of young workers with a certificate or license (like the one you earn from a technical college) allow you to acquire more than an associate degree.

Final Thoughts

There are many differences between a trade school and a college, and you must decide which one fits your needs.

A trade school is designed to give you all the necessary knowledge to start your career sooner by offering reduced credits for school graduates. Not only is it quicker, but the success rate is higher.

Consider the outstanding courses offered at Pinnacle Career Institute and launch your new career today. Find out more about a trade job now.