Vocational training offers many benefits for students

Earning a four-year degree is one path toward a rewarding career. However, that path is not the only one available. Enrolling in a vocational program can provide students with the skills necessary to engage in high-demand and well-paying jobs.

Vocational school, often referred to as “trade school,” can be an advantageous route for many people who are looking for an alternative to college. In 2020, the National Center for Education Statistics said a four-year private college cost around $50,300 for a student living on campus, while a four-year public college was roughly $24,300 annually. A 2018 poll from The Learning House, a skills training and coursework company, found 35% of students said tuition and other fees were their primary concerns when choosing college programs.

Trade schools can cost three times less than other schooling, making them more palatable to young people concerned about the high costs of college. Career and Technical Education programs number around 1,200 in the United States alone. Many students begin vocational career tracks in high school, according to American Education Services. Here are some benefits to pursuing an education in the trades.

Lower cost

According to NCES, trade schools cost significantly less than four-year institutions. Data from the U.S. Department of Education says programs may run between $3,600 to $16,000 per year. Most vocational programs last two years, meaning that students graduate with far less debt than they might accrue when pursuing a four-year college program.

Individualized attention

Many trade programs offer instruction in very intimate settings, with experienced practitioners serving as mentors and trainers. While each program is different, vocational training schools tend to have lower faculty-to-student ratios than traditional colleges.

Fewer admission requirements

Trade schools may not have the same stringent application and admissions processes as colleges. Course prerequisites and grade point average requirements also may not dictate trade school admissions policies.

Direct, hands-on training

Unlike a traditional college that marries general education courses with those specific to a major, trade school programs focus only on skills and training relevant to each student’s chosen career path.

Less time to complete schooling

More direct lessons means that students can complete their certifications or degrees in shorter times and enter the workforce much more quickly than their counterparts at traditional colleges and universities.