Types of trade schools in the U.S.

Many Americans are moving away from the traditional college path, largely due to climbing tuition costs and the low return on investment of many degrees.

In response, short-term training programs in skilled trades, such as carpentry, welding, or cosmetology, are on the rise, particularly among Gen Z. Trade schools offer low-cost programs that provide direct paths to in-demand and high-paying trade careers, jobs few people have the skills to do (an attractive prospect as AI is said to put many white-collar jobs at risk).

Considering going to trade school, but not sure about your options? In this article, we outline the types of trade schools available and what you’ll need to know to make the right choice.

What is a trade school?

Trade schools, also called vocational schools or technical schools, are educational institutions that provide hands-on training for a specific trade, with the goal of direct entry to the workforce. A trade is any skilled work that requires special training, often involving manual labor – for example, carpentry, welding, or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC).

Trade schools focus on providing job training in a specific field, rather than a holistic education as traditional colleges typically do.

Trade programs are shorter than 4-year degree programs, ranging from a few months to 2 years.

They are also less expensive: average tuition rates can go as low as $4,000 and up to $20,000. Between public and for-profit trade schools, many are for-profit, with tuition rates on the higher end of that range.

A high school diploma or GED is a minimum requirement for acceptance into an accredited postsecondary trade school.

Accrediting bodies for trade schools include the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the Council on Occupational Education (COE).

What does trade school offer?

Trade schools provide hands-on training in environments that resemble real-world work settings, often equipped with the latest technology. Depending on the program and institution type, trade schools offer certificates, diplomas, associate’s degrees, or non-degree training.

A certificate program in a trade school can be completed in a year or less, while an associate’s degree can take up to 2 years to finish. While associate’s degrees tend to offer higher earning potential and more career opportunities, they can be pricier than certificates.

To decide between a certificate or associate’s degree in a trade, consider the certification or licensure requirements of that trade in the state where you plan to work. For instance, paralegals always need at least an associate’s degree for certification, while either is acceptable in cosmetology if they satisfy required training hours for licensure.

Types of trade schools

Some (often for-profit) trade schools focus on a singular trade, while others, like technical schools, offer a wide range of trades to choose from. What are the different types of trade schools available?

Below we outline some of the most common, including their average duration, courses taught, and example programs.

How much does trade school cost?

The average cost of trade school can be hard to pin down, as the Department of Education doesn’t recognize trade schools as their own category. Instead, schools are organized by level – for example, 2-year or 4-year institutions.

Given trade schools generally involve 2 years or less of training, we looked at average tuition costs of 2-year institutions, which include community colleges, vocational schools, and technical schools.

Examples of trade schools by cost

For a taste of what you can expect to pay for a trade program, consider these examples of ACCSC-accredited trade schools and their tuition fees for popular programs:

Can I learn a trade for free?

Yes!

Apprenticeships, which involve spending up to several years learning on the job, are practical and low-cost alternatives to trade schools. They are based on an “earn while you learn” model, and often include benefits like health care coverage and pension.

Union-affiliated organizations often provide apprenticeship opportunities for on-the-job learning.

Here are a few examples of where you can find apprenticeships:

• North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), which provides apprenticeships and training for aspiring construction workers.
• ApprenticeshipUSA, a project of the U.S. Department of Labor, is a good resource for finding open apprenticeships through its Apprenticeship Job Finder portal.
• AFL-CIO Working for America Institute (WAI) runs several worker training programs that include the Multiple Industry Intermediary Project and the Industrial Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship for manufacturing and hospitality.

Final thoughts

While a traditional college education likely doesn’t appeal to you, you may be less certain about whether trade school is the better fit.

To decide if trade school is a path that makes sense, consider your ideal workday. Do you like the idea of working with your hands – and the idea of staring at a screen all day much less? Do you consider a 9-5 work schedule to be rigid? If so, going into a trade might be perfect for you.

On the other hand, if you see yourself in a white-collar job at any point in your future, a degree from a traditional 4-year institution still holds a greater competitive edge. Consider our best public schools rankings to find a top-rated school that fits your budget. Alternatively, use our quiz below to get a curated list for your major.