University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class, unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlight the best technical programs.
What Does a Trade School Career Entail?
Trade schools, also known as Vocational schools or sometimes technical schools, are reliable vocational education sources that provide an alternative to the traditional community college or university degree programs, and are much more affordable and faster to complete. They won’t open the same opportunities that a bachelor’s degree would, but they will get you career-focused job training and then back out and working in your field.
The average cost of a college bachelor’s degree program is around $90,000, whereas vocational schools or certificate programs offer degrees and job training for roughly $33,000. That’s a whopping $57,000 in savings. However, you should be aware that, though the average is quite high, if you are willing to receive your degree at a local community college you may be able to get a bachelor’s for as little as $40,000 over 4 years. And the vocational school is still saving you money in that scenario.
So, for high school graduates, choosing an online trade school over a college program means you could graduate with as much as 70% less debt over your head than four-year college degree programs. Learning a skilled job is an excellent choice for those who seek a good paying, rewarding career that has been growing in demand in recent years.
Featured Online Programs
Why Attend a Vocational Trade School?
It doesn’t take much to be successful as a skilled worker. Once you know what you want to be, you find the right vocational school and, after completing the required courses, “Congratulations, you’re a trade worker”.
The main component is loving what you do and getting paid a decent salary for it. Most trade workers work a regular nine to five job, Monday through Friday, with weekends off and some are able to set their own hours, such as some carpenters. Truck drivers pick up a load, then travel to their destination and drop it off, so they can drive whenever they want as long as they get their load there on time. Some vocational schools even offer students access to financial aid.
Typical Trade School Requirements
One of the good things about online vocational schools is that you don’t have to go through all the hassle of the application process that most colleges require from high school graduates, nor are you always required to take the SAT, ACT, or other. Although, colleges that include vocational training or vocational education programs do require that you have acceptable standardized test scores.
The only requirements that vocational schools usually have, are: you must be at least 16 years old, (however, there are certain programs, that you must be at least 17 to take part in), have a high school diploma/GED, or proof that you completed a reputable home school program, and pass a school entrance test.
Find Online Vocational Programs
Typical Certifications Needed
There are no certifications needed to attend a vocational school, but you will spend most of your time gaining practical skills through vocational training to pass certain exams to obtain certifications specific to the profession you are training for. These are to verify for the state you work in that you were taught everything you need to know in the content of your vocational program.
The academic standards that are set for degrees and certifications are different for all professions. For example, the standards for a carpenter include knowing how to build and repair things, where a chef’s standards are to know how to create certain dishes and maintain food safety.
Exam and Experience Needed
All professionals must know their craft. Therefore, each will have specific standardized tests that they must pass at the end of their vocational program to graduate and receive certification or licensing. In addition to the completion exams, there are state or provincial licensing requirements and academic standards to meet for most occupations, which you will have to pass in order to become state licensed.
The main focus of a campus or online technical school is to prepare students for the tests and state exams required to become licensed in their field. For some professions, you can’t just learn certain things on paper, therefore, students must commit to hands-on vocational programs that will help prepare them for their future career goals.
Important Questions to Ask (FAQ)
How long does it take to earn a Degree or Certification from a Trade School?
Because each occupation must train in specific courses to learn their craft, program times can vary, but trade school programs can take from 6 months to 3 years to complete (most can be completed in around 2 years). One thing to remember about trade schools is that you don’t get a bachelor’s degree upon completing the program. Instead, you will earn a certificate or receive a diploma specific to your occupation once you have successfully completed all courses.
How much does a Trade School Degree cost?
The average cost of obtaining a trade school certification is around $33,000 which is significantly less than attending college for a bachelor’s degree program would cost you.
How many students graduate “on time,” in 12 months or 24 months?
One good thing about vocational schools is that they support their students and want them to graduate on time so they can move on to a profitable career. The higher the graduation rate, the better a job the school is doing in making this a reality. Although they don’t have fraternities and wild parties to keep the students entertained, most trade schools build a strong reputation and maintain enrollment levels by offering valuable student experience.
According to the Integrated Post-Secondary Data System (IPEDS), trade and vocational schools have a 20% success rate. 10% of that goes to a two-year completion rate, 5% is awarded for a three-year completion rate, and the last 5% go to the Pell Grant recipients for a three-year completion rate.
What kind of accreditation does the program have?
The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) retains a database of approved vocational programs. Vocational schools may provide training courses that are within their scope of accreditation. State Licensure and accrediting agencies are there to ensure students get a quality education by setting standards that the school has to meet in order to gain their approval. However, schools are accredited by different associations and some are more reputable than others. Therefore, your school's accreditor can affect your education, career, and your salary as, the better the accreditor, the more money you will be offered when looking for a position.
To find out if a schools accrediting agency is nationally recognized, check to see if they are included in the List of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies offered by the U.S. Department of Education.
Find Your Technical School Program
Professional Related Organizations
BPA
Business Professionals of America
This is a historic student organization that contributes to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of academic and technological skills, citizenship, and leadership for students at both Secondary and Post-Secondary level. Business Professionals of America members compete in demonstrations of their business technology skills, develop their professional and leadership skills, network with one another, and get involved in the betterment of their community through good works projects.
DECA
The Distributive Education Clubs of America
The Distributive Education Clubs of America is a national association of marketing education students, provides teachers and members with educational and leadership development activities to merge with the education classroom instructional program.
ER
Educators Rising
Educators Rising is a national career and technical student organization dedicated to cultivating highly skilled educators by guiding young people on a path to becoming accomplished teachers.
FCCLA
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and address important personal, family, work, and societal issues through family and consumer sciences education. FCCLA has more than 164,000 members and more than 5,300 chapters from 49 state associations, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Involvement in FCCLA offers members the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life planning, goal setting, problem-solving, decision making, and interpersonal communication necessary in the home and workplace.
HOSA
Health Occupations Students of America
HOSA is a national vocational student organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Occupations Education Division of the American Vocational Association. HOSA's two-fold mission is to promote career opportunities in the healthcare industry and to enhance the delivery of quality healthcare to all people. HOSA's goal is to encourage all health occupations instructors and students to join and be actively involved in the HOE-HOSA Partnership.
NFFA
National FFA
The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education.
NPAS
National Postsecondary Agricultural Student Organization
The PAS is an organization associated with agriculture/ agribusiness and natural resources offerings in approved postsecondary institutions offering associate degrees or vocational diplomas and/or certificates.
NYFEA
National Young Farmer Educational Association
The NYFEA is the official adult student organization for agricultural education as recognized by the United States Department of Education. With the goal of being America's association for educating agricultural leaders, the association features leadership training, agricultural career education, and community service opportunities.
SUSA
SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a national organization serving high school students, college students, and professional members who are enrolled in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations.
TSA
Technology Student Association
The TSA is the only student organization devoted exclusively to the needs of technology education students who are presently enrolled in, or have completed, technology education courses.