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Approximately 3.5 million students graduate high school every year. At this point, most start thinking critically about the direction they want their life to take.
Most high school grandaunts hope to get a college degree mainly because of social pressure. While it’s a great option, you could not be blind to other options, with trade school being top on the list of alternatives.
If you haven’t decided what route to take between trade school and college, this guide explores the two options and can help you make an informed decision, so keep reading.
Trade School
Trade schools and colleges have one thing in common; they both over post-high school education. Trade schools provide students with skill-focused training programs that are industry specific.
After completing the training program, students receive a diploma, certificate and in some cases, an associate degree. In most cases, grandaunts must take a licensing exam after meeting all the licensing requirements, such as becoming an apprentice.
College
Colleges mainly offer degree programs, and since they take longer to complete, students learn much more than a set of skills. For example, if you are pursuing an English major, you may take some philosophy classes that can help enhance your critical thinking skills.
While there is a bit of hard skill learning in college, the curriculum is often theory-based. It focuses on principles of a particular study area, equipping the students with what they need to work in different capacities and over various industries.
Notable Differences between the Two
While both options offer post-high school education, there are some notable differences that you want to be aware of before picking an option. The first difference is the duration of the program.
The duration of a trade school program depends on the program you intend to take and can range from a few months to up to two years. On the other hand, colleges offer mostly four-year programs, meaning you will get to the job market faster if you go the trade school route.
Employment Opportunities and Earnings
After graduation, the prospects of finding a job are much higher for trade school grandaunts than for college grandaunts. The difference in employment opportunities is partly due to the oversaturation of college degree holders and the fact that skills learned from trade schools cannot be outsourced.
For example, an auto shop will always require an automotive technician on location but can outsource some managerial aspects of running the business. Conversely, college grandaunts earn significantly more than trade school graduates.
You also have to consider that there are specific grades for getting into college, especially if you want to get into a good institution.
Cost of Education
Another significant difference between trade schools and colleges is the program’s cost. Trade schools are way cheaper than colleges; you can pay as little as $5,000 a year, but the costs can go up depending on the type of program.
On the other hand, degree programs will cost the students over $25,000 a year, totaling over $100,000 for the entire program duration.
How to Pay For Trade School
As mentioned earlier, trade school is cheaper than college but may still strain your finances. Better still, there are various options for funding your trade school education you may want to explore.
For instance, the US Department of Education has programs to help trade school students offset their education. These programs include Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students, the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, Federal Pell Grant, and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant.
Besides these options from the Department Of Education, you can access funding from private lenders. However, you will want to take time to understand primary times of the loan, possible penalties for late payment, and additional fees that may apply.
Paying For a College Education
Only a small percentage of college students or their parents can afford to foot their education bill from out-of-pocket funds. Luckily there are many options for funding, with federal student loans being the first option.
But you are not limited to federal loans. While they have excellent rates, you could still get affordable rates from private lenders, especially if you have a good credit score. You could also look into alternatives such as grants and scholarships based on performance on financial need.
Verdict
There is no good or bad option when seeking post-high school education. Your choice comes down to your grades and the career path you want for yourself. If your choice takes you there, it is good enough for you.
