While most everyone agrees that some form of higher education is a good idea, the question of trade school vs. college takes more thought.

If your heart is set on a career that requires college- law, architecture, or medicine for example this question answers itself.  For many others, however, it spotlights an important, even critical, choice.

While no one will argue the rewards of a college degree, the high cost of education today makes it prudent to look at the total picture of what is best for you.  For anyone who is considering higher education primarily to find a good job, trade schools offer several serious advantages:

1.  Shorter courses
2.  Lower costs
3.  Smaller classes
4.  Relevant training
5.  Less debt upon graduation 

A recent Google search disclosed this forum exchange under the heading of “Trade School vs. College”:
 

#1:  What are some good things to learn at Trade School vs. suffering through college? Has anybody had more success with trade school?  I’m going through “the motions” in grad school and not sure if I want to spend any more money on it.

#2:  Lets just say that my brother went to a trade school and I went to college. He now makes more than double what I make and without any of the outrageous student loans I have to pay back. I wish I had not gone to college, I could have done much more going to a trade school and learning a skill I could use the rest of my life.

#3:  I’ve yet to meet a poor plumber or electrician that works for themselves.

#4: That is the truth.

Here are some extracts from an article in “The School Directory”:

“Trade schools do exactly what they are supposed to, teach you a trade. The focus is on preparing students to enter the workforce upon completion of the course….

The curriculum leaves out a lot of generic theory and emphasizes practical training. Classes tend to be more shop-based than lecture-based. In fact, in many vocational and technical schools, the classroom environment actually resembles the workplace;

Trade schools usually consist of smaller batches of students…

Another great reason you may want to consider attending a trade school is the huge cost and time savings involved. Since courses are of shorter duration than universities, you spend less money and time studying.

It would also allow you to start earning much faster, almost 2-3 years ahead earlier than if you’d attended a university. You total savings could amount to almost 60%-70% of what you’d spend at university.”

As we move into fall, we approach the best time of year to consider the value of higher education.  As someone once said, “if you think education is expensive, try ignorance…”