U.S. News and World Report recently released their very popular college rankings lists. They cover public school, private schools and most schools in between but what they don’t cover are trade schools. Trade schools are enjoying a renewed interest right now as a faster, cheaper, competitively paid career alternative to college. Enrollment in trade-focused schools has increased nearly 20% in the last 5-years. Students are exchanging notebooks for tools and embracing careers that are not only are needed and pay well, but are also expected to stand strong against A.I., as it enters more and more offices across the country.
Trades to Pursue
From car mechanic to electrician to HVAC technician to welder there are dozens of trades to pursue. Trade careers sometimes suffer from a preconceived notion that they are only for men but that’s not true. More and more women are joining the trades and doing so quite successfully. Women represent over 40% of the job seekers looking for roles in the trades, having risen to levels not seen since World War II.
Working in the trades has a lot of salary potential. In fact, it allows you to start realizing competitive wages much sooner due to the shorter training periods and faster entry into the work force vs pursing a 4-year college degree. Here’s a list of some of the highest paid trades:
| Trade | Average Salary Range | Potential to Earn as Much As |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $60,000-$90,000 | $100,000+ |
| Plumber | $55,000-$85,000 | $95,000+ |
| HVAC Technician | $50,000-$75,000 | $90,000+ |
| Construction Manager | $70,000-$115,000 | $150,000+ |
| Welder | $50,000-$70,000 | $90,000+ |
| Carpenter | $45,000-$70,000 | $90,000+ |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $55,000-$80,000 | $100,000+ |
| Mason | $45,000-$70,000 | $85,000+ |
Be on the lookout for these emerging trades - Solar Panel Installer, Green Construction and Sustainability Expert and 3D Printing/ Robotics in Construction. They are sure to a lot of growth in the coming years.
Schools and Programs for the Trades
From technical schools to your local community college, there are several ways you can be trained in a trade. Where you go will depend on your trade of interest, your budget and availability to attend class.
The path that most closely resembles traditional college would be to pursue an Associates in Applied Sciences degree at your local community college. This is a two-year degree for a technical or vocational skill, like automotive technology or culinary arts. It includes some general education in the curriculum as well as specific career training to produce well-rounded students ready to enter the work force upon completion.
However, if you want to dive straight into your training and bypass any general education classes you can consider a technical school. These would be schools focusing only on training you in your intended field and nothing else. You can find technical schools for careers as health care technicians, cosmetologists or skilled trades like electrician or plumber.
Many of these technical schools are small, singularly focused and local but there are some larger technical schools that teach many types of trades with a presence across the U.S., they include Lincoln Technical Institute, Universal Technical Institute and Fortis. Lincoln trains students in health sciences careers, information technology, and culinary arts among others. Universal Technical Institute covers aviation, automotive and diesel technology in addition to its growing curriculum. Fortis teaches skilled trades like HVAC and Welding as well as cosmetology and dental assisting as some of their offerings.
To find a program, simply Google what it is you want to learn and where and you’ll find a number of schools to choose from. Be sure to read through all available information such as reviews, curriculum, costs, timing etc. and visit the school if you can before you commit to attend there. Always make the most informed decision you can, while less expensive, these programs are still an investment in your future so choose wisely.
Housing Options for Trade School Students
Unlike a 4-year institution with dorms, community colleges and trade schools typically don’t have on-campus housing. For commuter students this isn’t much of an issue but if the school you are hoping to attend isn’t close enough to home you may need assistance finding a place to live.
Outside of finding your own apartment or renting out a room, there is another option – Collegiate Housing Services. A nationwide service to help students with housing. They partner with traditional apartment companies, furnish the units and place students in the units. Leases are required for the length of your educational program, and rents are paid directly to Collegiate Housing, who also cover basic utilities in the rent as well.
Presently, this service is offered in 14 states for over 30 schools and surely isn’t the only option. Be sure to ask the enrollment team at whatever school you want to attend what the housing options are for that school.
Financial Aid Options to Pay for Trade School
When looking for financial aid for trade school it’s important to know if your school is a Title IV school. They are called Title IV because these schools are eligible to participate in the distribution of federal student aid, as defined by Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA). This is important because you may want and need to have access to federal aid such as a Pell Grant and/or a federal student loan to help pay for trade school. If your school is eligible, be sure to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to determine your individual eligibility for receiving federal aid.
Additionally, if you plan to use money from your 529 account to pay for trade school, the school you attend also needs to be a Title IV eligible school for the tuition to be considered a “qualified expense”, otherwise, distributions may be subject to penalties and taxes.
There are quite a few trade schools that are and are not Title IV, so be sure to check if you are looking to access federal aid or use your 529 account. If your school isn’t Title IV, you can still borrow a private student loan but know that these loans don’t have the same borrower benefits as a federal student loan and are less forgiving should you experience financial hardship during repayment.
Job Placement
Job placement at a community college versus a technical school can be different. Community college career services departments can assist with job placement through resume workshops, job fairs, and local industry partnerships, though these efforts may be more general in nature. Community colleges are typically more affordable and accessible, but larger class sizes can limit individualized job placement support.
Technical schools, on the other hand, are highly focused on preparing students for specific trades with shorter, hands-on programs. They often have dedicated career placement teams and strong industry connections, creating direct pipelines to internships and jobs. Employers frequently recruit directly from technical schools, valuing their graduates' job-ready skills. While technical schools may be more expensive, their specialized training and robust job placement services can lead to faster entry into the workforce.
Trade schools offer a compelling alternative to traditional college, providing a faster, more affordable path to well-paying, in-demand careers. With shorter training programs and hands-on learning, trade schools prepare students to enter the workforce quickly and with job-ready skills. Whether you choose a community college or a technical school, the key is to research your options thoroughly, considering factors like cost, program focus, and job placement support.
