Most career fields demand some amount of education. When planning for your future career, the type and length of education required will likely factor into your decision. Will the result be worth your time and investment? Prism Career Institute provides healthcare training programs near you in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Here, we compare trade school vs. college to help you find the best way to an in-demand career.
Cost Comparison: Trade School vs. College
The first difference between trade school and college is the cost. Trade school tuition depends on the location and industry, with some programs costing more than others. In general, however, trade school programs cost less than a college degree. While colleges and universities also vary in their costs, the highest-quality institutions are often quite expensive.
Speed to Employment: Can You Get a Job Faster with a Trade School Certificate?
Another advantage of trade school is its speed. A college degree takes two years of full-time study for an associate’s degree and four years for a bachelor’s degree. By comparison, most trade school programs are much shorter. The Medical Assistant program at Prism Career Institute is 40 weeks long and can be completed in less than a year. The Practical Nursing program is slightly longer, but still achievable within a year and a half or less depending on your class schedule.
These faster programs allow you to enter the workforce and start earning sooner. They also let you spend less time paying for school. Several years of college tuition add up to a sizeable expense, meaning that a fast graduation can constitute great savings.
Funding Your Education: Do Trade Schools Offer Financial Aid and Scholarships?
Even though trade school is cheaper than college, it’s still a major expense. Fortunately, both types of education are eligible for the same forms of financial aid. The following federal and private financial aid types can help you pay for your career training:
- Federal direct loans: These government loans feature a fixed interest rate, and you don’t have to start repaying them until six months after you graduate from trade school.
- Pell grants: These are need-based government grants that can help you pay for trade school. Grants are “free money”, meaning that you don’t have to repay them.
- Tuition reimbursement: Some employers provide reimbursement programs that will cover part of your tuition if you agree to work for them after graduation.
- Scholarships: You may also qualify for need-, merit-, or background-based scholarships from a variety of sources, including organizations, communities, or your school.
Education is an investment into your future earning potential. To increase your lifetime income, you need to pay a little now. With financial aid, however, the initial investment becomes more affordable and accessible.
The Benefits of Vocational Training
Aside from the financial benefits and shorter timeframes, vocational training also offers other advantages. Colleges are built around lecture-based, theoretical learning on a variety of subjects, with the goal of providing a broad academic foundation. Trade schools, on the other hand, are designed to prepare students for their specific workplaces. This provides several benefits:
- Career-focused training: Unlike a liberal arts college, where some of your classes cover topics unrelated to your career, trade schools are entirely focused on getting you job-ready.
- Hands-on experience: College students spend most of their time in the classroom. In contrast, trade schools emphasize hands-on learning to develop practical skills for the workplace.
- Direct applications: While a college degree can increase employability, trade school programs create a streamlined path that feeds directly into a specific career field.
In summary, while college is good for broadening your horizons, trade school is ideal for people who are focused on a particular career goal. This makes it the smarter option in many cases when planning for your future.
Job Market Demand: Are Trade School Careers In-Demand?
Not only does vocational school provide career-ready skills, but these skills often apply to career fields that are in high demand. There is currently a shortage of qualified workers in skilled trades. This factor, coupled with the continued growth of the healthcare industry, means that practical nurses and medical assistants are in demand everywhere. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts growth in employment for both career fields:
- Medical assistants: The growth for medical assistants is projected to be 12% from 2024 to 2034, which is much higher than average.
- Practical nurses: The growth for practical nurses is projected to be 3% from 2024 to 2034, which is about as fast as average.
This demand can make it easier to find your first placement. It also provides excellent stability, helping you hold onto jobs longer or find a new position if you relocate. Medical trade careers also pay well, giving you a reliable income to support your lifestyle.
Make the Smart Choice and Enroll at Prism Career Institute
Are you ready for a faster, more affordable, and career-focused educational path? Prism Career Institute embodies all the benefits of a trade school, offering in-demand healthcare programs that get you into the workforce quickly. Apply online today to start learning at a campus near you in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, or West Atlantic City, New Jersey.