The Truth About Attending a Trade School Instead of a 4-Year College
When looking to further your education, there may be various options available - a trade school and a 4-year college being two of them. A 4-year college experience may not be the right way to go for some individuals, despite the possible stigma surrounding attending a trade school. However, there are some truths to know about furthering your education with a different option than four years at a traditional college.
Difference in Length of Time1
Attending a trade school can take less time than attending a 4-year college. In most cases, the completion of a trade program takes two years or less. At a majority of colleges, bachelor's degree programs take up to four years to complete. Taking this into account, an individual can get a trade education in half the amount of time it would take to complete an education at a 4-year college.
Cost Difference1
The odds of a trade school tuition being lower than a 4-year college's tuition is usually fairly high, depending on what school you attend. However, due to the nature of a trade school taking less time to complete than a 4-year college, the amount of time a student pays tuition, in itself, is significantly lower - making the total cost of tuition lower. In addition, programs at a trade school tend to be lower in tuition price in general.
Career Option Differences
At a traditional 4-year college, the fields of study may veer more towards white-collar jobs such as accounting, psychology, journalism, business, etc. However, at a trade school, more blue-collar type jobs may be highlighted. This can include programs such as plumbing, welding, HVAC, electrical, and more. Depending on what field an individual is looking to work in, getting an education in the skilled trades may open up different doors than a 4-year college program.
Looking to further your education can be an exciting step in life. At Porter and Chester Institute (PCI), there are many options for those looking to start that journey. To learn more about the programs PCI offers, check out the program listings webpage. To get started, visit the online application portal to apply.
1. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/trade-school-vs-...
