Midwest Technical Institute

MTI

Request Info (800) 814.5124
  • Programs
    • Journeyman Welder
      • Journeyman Welder Enrollment and Outcomes
    • Journeyman Welder II
      • Journeyman Welder II Enrollment and Outcomes
    • Medical Assisting
      • Medical Assisting Enrollment and Outcomes
    • HVAC/R – MAR Technician
      • HVAC/R-MAR Enrollment and Outcomes
    • HVAC/R Technician
    • Dental Assisting
      • Dental Assisting Enrollment and Outcomes
    • Professional Truck Driving
      • PTD Enrollment and Outcomes
    • Cosmetology
      • Cosmetology Enrollment and Outcomes
    • Medical Coding Specialist
      • Medical Coding Enrollment and Outcomes
    • Massage Therapy
      • Massage Therapy Enrollment and Outcomes
    • CDL Training Course
      • CDL Enrollment and Outcomes
    • Phlebotomy
      • Phlebotomy Enrollment and Outcomes
    • Basic Nursing Assistant
      • Basic Nursing Assistant Enrollment and Outcomes
    • Continuing Education
  • Campuses
    • Springfield, IL
    • East Peoria, IL
    • Moline, IL
    • Springfield, MO
  • Student Services
    • Externships
    • Student Accounts
    • Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention
    • Student Complaint Procedures
    • Transcript Request
    • E-Learning MS Teams
    • E-Learning Canvas
    • E-Learning Pearson
    • Student Portal
  • Admissions
    • Why MTI?
    • Housing
    • Military Students
      • Principles of Excellence
      • Military Friendly® School
      • Montgomery GI Bill®
      • Post-9/11 GI Bill®
    • Financial Aid
      • Financing Options
      • Tuition and Cost
      • Net Price Calculator
      • Student Loan Management
    • Scholarships
      • MTI DTC HS Scholarship
        • High School Scholarship Registration
        • Submit Video
        • Terms and Conditions
    • Welding Competition
    • Graduation Disclosures
    • Catalog
  • About
    • Faculty Directory
    • Emergency Financial Aid Grant
    • Accreditation
    • State Licensing
    • Campus Safety
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Enrollment and Outcomes
    • MTI Employment Opportunities
    • MTI Curriculum
  • News
    • Community Events
    • Resources
  • Search
  • Request Info

Trade School vs College: A Guide to Weighing Cost, Timelines and More

When it comes to furthering your education, it’s important to think about what type of career training will work best for you. For the past several decades, the push has been toward driving graduating high school students toward traditional colleges and universities. That’s left a big hole in the workforce, with employers experiencing difficulty attracting highly skilled blue-collar workers.[1]

Now, with the U.S. facing a major shortage of skilled tradesmen and women, it’s time to take another look at the reasons to consider a trade school instead of college.

Trade School vs College by the Numbers

Click here for source.

National Average Four-Year CollegeTwo-Year CollegeTrade School
Average Cost

 

$9,410 (per year)

 

$3,440 (per year)

 

$5,000 – $15,000 (total)

 

Time to Complete

 

4 years

 

2 Years

 

3 months – 18 months

 

Other Expenses

 

Books, housing, misc. fees

 

books, housing, misc. fees

 

books

 

Award

 

Bachelor’s degree

 

Associate’s degree

 

Diploma or certificate of completion

 

[2]

Comparing the Cost of Trade School vs College

While the average cost for a four-year college is listed at $9,410 per year, most graduates actually end up paying around $127,000 for their degree![3] Of those, at least 20% graduate with more than $50,000 in debt and nearly 6% graduate from a four-year university with over $100,000 in student loan debt. How many years of work will it take to pay that off?

On the high end, it costs around $33,000 to complete trade school.[4] However, there are programs available that cost less.

Enrolling in Trade School vs College

When compared to the traditional college application process, getting into a trade school can be a much quicker process. Rather than applying and waiting weeks or months to hear back from a traditional four-year college, most trade school applicants can talk almost immediately with a member of the Admissions Team. For example, MTI does not require an application as part of the enrollment process.

Trade school applicants will learn what qualifications are required to enroll (like a GED or equivalent), arrange a campus tour, choose a program, and select a start date.

Who Should Consider Trade School Instead of College?

Perhaps the two most important factors to keep in mind when weighing trade school vs college is the cost and time commitment you are willing to make for career training. If you’re looking for a faster track to a new career and don’t want to assume a lot of student debt, trade school could be a great option.

You can decide how much time you want to spend in school and plan your training accordingly. A 6-month to 1-year program at a trade school can have you ready for entry-level employment as a welder or HVAC/R Technician, for example.

Another important aspect to keep in mind is flexibility. Most trade schools offer classes year-round, which means you don’t have to wait for one semester to end and another to begin before you can start your training. Because many trade schools also offer day and evening classes, it’s easier to fit your schooling in without causing unnecessary disruption to your home and work life.

Another advantage of a trade school over traditional college is the career-focused training. At most four-year colleges, you’ll be required to take two years of prerequisites before you can start focusing on your major.

At a trade school however, hands-on training begins day one. Keeping the educational focus strictly on career training can allow trade schools to prepare students for a new career in less time and at a lower cost.

What Are Good Trades to Get Into?

Electrician: Work in a variety of settings installing, maintaining and repairing electrical systems. Job growth will be faster-than-average (10%) through 2028 with a median yearly wage of $55,190 in May 2018. [5]

HVAC/R Technician: People in this skilled trade will experience faster-than-average job growth (13%) through 2028 with median yearly earnings of $47,610 in May 2018. [6]

Welder: Job growth and a median annual wage of around $40,000 as of May 2018 can make welding a great career choice. [7]

Truck Driver: Life on the road could pay off for you. The industry is growing and so are salaries, with a median annual wage of $43,680 as of May 2018. [8]

Why Trade School May be a Better Fit for You Than a 4-Year College

If you like the thought of working with your hands and staying busy, a career in the skilled trades can be a rewarding option. For instance, becoming an HVAC technician would allow you to get into a growing field with earning potential and job opportunities. [9]

Trade schools are also a great choice for visual learners who retain information by seeing and doing, as opposed to sitting in a classroom. Vocational school programs can provide the type of hands-on training students need to enter the workforce with skills and confidence.

If you want to learn more about attending trade school and what to expect, fill out the form below to connect with the Admissions Team at your local MTI campus.

  • Sources
    • [1] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/decades-pushing-bachelors-degrees-u-s-needs-tradespeople

      [2] https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/college-costs/college-costs-faqs

      [3] https://www.thesimpledollar.com/why-you-should-consider-trade-school-instead-of-college/

      [4] https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/articles/2016-04-12/the-financial-case-for-trade-school-over-college

      [5] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm

      [6] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm

      [7] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm

      [8] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm

      [9] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm

Filed Under: Careers

Get More Information

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Resources

  • Careers

Programs

  • Journeyman Welder
  • Journeyman Welder II
  • Medical Assisting
  • HVAC/R – MAR Technician
  • Dental Assisting
  • Professional Truck Driving
  • Cosmetology
  • Medical Coding
  • Massage Therapy
  • CDL Training Course
  • Basic Nursing Assistant
  • Continuing Education
  • Phlebotomy

Campuses

Springfield, IL
(217) 527-8324

East Peoria, IL
(309) 427-2750

Moline, IL
(309) 277-7900

Springfield, MO
(417) 227-4950

Student Services

  • Externships
  • Student Accounts
  • Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention
  • Student Complaint Procedures
  • Transcript Request
  • Student Portal

Admissions

  • Why MTI?
  • Military Students
  • Financial Aid
  • Scholarships
  • Welding Competition
  • Graduation Disclosures
  • Catalog

About

  • Faculty Directory
  • Accreditation
  • State Licensing
  • Campus Safety
  • F.A.Q.
  • Enrollment and Outcomes
  • MTI Employment Opportunities
  • Sitemap

Terms of Use|Privacy PolicyCopyright © 2021 Midwest Technical Institute
MTI/DTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program |Emergency Financial Aid Grant