Trade School vs. College: How Are They Different?

Trade school and college are two different but equally fulfilling educational options you can pursue as you prepare to enter the next stage of your academic career. The biggest difference is that trade school narrows your studies to a detailed focus on one vocation or skill. In contrast, a traditional college offers more wide-ranging coursework and a variety of fields to study. 

When deciding between trade school or college, you’ll need to consider various factors. For example, how important is the time required to complete your program? Other considerations include costs, admissions requirements, and whether you want to focus on a specialized skill or learn a variety of information. 

Explore the pros and cons of both options to make the best choice for your education.

What is trade school?

Trade schools offer specialized programs that hone in on specific skills or trades. You might also hear trade schools referred to as vocational schools, technical schools, or career schools. Rather than taking a range of coursework in the arts and sciences, you will engage in a focused education and job training that will provide you with the specialized skills needed for your desired career. Developing technical skills may increase your chances of succeeding in an active and specialized career. 

What is college? 

A traditional four-year college is a form of higher education (post-high school) that typically offers well-rounded coursework followed by specialization in a concentration or major. Colleges allow for flexibility as your required yet broadened coursework will lead to you adapting your focus to a specific degree. Additionally, college will engage you in several fields and interests you would not have explored otherwise. Broad coursework will develop a comprehensive skill set, preparing you for various careers and post-graduate opportunities. 

Read more: What Is an Undergraduate Degree?

Trade school vs. college: What’s the difference?

The difference between trade school and college is the focus on skills versus varied coursework. While trade school exists to develop specializations and technical skills for specific careers, colleges provide versatile coursework for flexible career options. The admissions requirements, cost, class size, and completion time are examples of differences between trade school and college. Trade school costs less than college, but it has fewer transferable credits. While college is typically more expensive, general education requirements often positively impact students, especially if you are undecided on your major. 

Trade school vs. community college

Community college is another higher education option that is more cost-beneficial than a traditional four-year college. While its price tag is more in line with a trade or vocational school, community college has classroom settings and general education requirements similar to those of a college. Community college can be a more flexible and affordable option for many students. Still, it can also focus more on theory and less on skill building than trade school. 

Admission requirements 

The admissions requirements for trade school are typically less strict than those for college as they require proof of high school qualifications and often a placement test with your application. The placement tests assess if you are likely to do well at the school and act as a substitute for traditional testing such as the ACT or SAT. Trade schools focus on helping you develop your skills for a specific career and want to ensure you are a good fit for their programs. 

Colleges have lengthy but well-rounded admissions requirements. A typical college will ask for an application, ACT or SAT standardized testing scores, recommendations from high school teachers, and a high school transcript. You may also need to submit a supplemental essay to express your interest in a particular school. 

Cost 

The cost of a four-year college is typically higher than the cost of a trade school. Part of this is due to the coursework length, as it often takes about four years to complete an undergraduate degree and one to two years to earn a trade school certification. Aside from being shorter programs, the courses at a trade school are specific to one field of study and will cost less than a general education from a public or private university. While colleges can offer more flexibility in a competitive working environment, they are typically more expensive.  

Class size 

Class sizes differ between trade schools and colleges. Trade schools typically have smaller classes than universities and colleges. Smaller class sizes will give you more individualized attention from your professors and potentially build a strong network that can benefit your future career endeavors. While public universities typically have large class sizes in introductory courses, private colleges will have smaller ones. 

Completion time

Trade schools typically have a shorter completion time than colleges. While a typical college will take about four years to complete, trade schools take one to two years. Because of the focused coursework of a trade school, it takes a shorter amount of time to complete than a college education. 

A traditional college education can take four to five years to complete. In addition to a degree and potential minors and concentrations, college students typically have to take general education courses that provide them with comprehensive knowledge of the arts, sciences, math, English, and humanities. 

Financial aid 

When applying for financial aid, receiving scholarships and grants for a four-year college is more common than a trade school. As the cost of trade schools is much lower than colleges, many trade schools will not accept scholarships or grants. College tuition may be more expensive, but you are more likely to receive financial aid based on need or merit. 

When you apply to a traditional four-year college, you can submit a FAFSA report alongside your application. The FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, will allow you to demonstrate your need-based status and apply for loans and grants to help pay for college. 

Earning potential

In most cases, your earning potential will correlate with the level of education you receive. Students who complete a four-year degree and continue to post-graduate opportunities may earn a higher salary than a learner with a high school diploma. However, this is only sometimes the case. 

Depending on your skill set and the specific career you focus on in trade school, you may earn more with a particular certification than with a bachelor’s degree. Attending a school with a lower tuition rate may help you complete your education with little to no student debt and improve your chances of breaking into the job market with a higher-paying salary. 

Employment rates

The employment rates for students significantly increase when they have completed a four-year degree. College graduates tend to have an easier time obtaining jobs than students who have only completed a high school education. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2023, only 2.2 percent of students with a bachelor’s degree are unemployed, compared to 3.9 percent of students with only a high school degree [1]. 

When assessing the value of trade school, however, many students can find employment in niche job markets with the specialized skill set and focused education they receive. With the completion of various certification programs, trade school graduates can find entry-level job placements in skilled trade careers. 

Internships and externships

The focused education you receive at trade school may increase your chances of job placement because you will have practical experience. Additionally, you will have completed many active opportunities, such as externships, and obtained real-world experience in your field. Trade schools may also offer assistance with job placement to help you apply the technical skills you have learned. 

Colleges often have professional development and career centers where students can find internships to add real-world experience to their education. In some cases, internships may be a requirement of your bachelor’s degree to ensure you are combining theory with practice. Colleges will typically guide you through this process, as internships can positively impact your future job placement.  

Trade school vs. college: Explore your interests with Coursera

Your current circumstances and future goals should guide your next steps. If you know which specialized career you want, a trade school may be best for developing technical skills. A traditional four-year college may be right for you if you wish to pursue graduate opportunities or expand your education to encompass many fields. However, these options are two of the many available to you. 

You can also explore your interests and gain marketable skills and knowledge with online courses and programs on Coursera. For example, you can find specialized courses such as the Engineering Management Graduate Certificate to improve your technical skills for specific careers. Go from a beginner to career-ready with Professional Certificates like the Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate and explore available resources to help you find your new career.