Key takeaways:
- Vocational schools are postsecondary trade or technical institutions that award certificates, diplomas, or associate’s degrees.
- Programs last between a few months to two years, and classes focus on career-specific hands-on learning.
- Common programs include animal care, cosmetology, culinary arts, machinery, and HVAC.
Vocational schools are postsecondary institutions that prepare students for careers in technical fields and trades, such as cosmetology, welding, and paralegal. They tend to require less time and money than 4-year colleges and focus more on hands-on learning than general education. If you’re considering attending a vocational school, here’s what you need to know:
What is a vocational school?
Vocational schools are institutions of higher learning that focus on teaching students skills needed for technical jobs and trades, such as welding, plumbing, electrical, and CNC machinery. You might also see them called trade, career, or technical schools.
Courses are all career-focused with practical, hands-on learning. There are no general education or liberal arts classes. The length of the program depends on the focus – they can last as little as a few months to up to two years. When you complete vocational school, you’ll earn a certificate, diploma, license, and/or associate’s degree.
How much does it cost?
Vocational school tuition often costs between $3,973 and $16,877. However, this doesn’t include the cost of books, materials, transportation, fees, and other related expenses. The total price depends on the program, school, length, and other factors.
Vocational school vs. college
While both vocational schools and colleges are postsecondary institutions, they are very different.
- Trade schools focus on hands-on training for specific skills or careers. College programs include courses that cover general education and student-selected majors.
- Most vocational programs last a few months to two years, while a full-time student can take four years to earn a bachelor’s.
- Trade schools award certificates, licenses, diplomas, or associate’s degrees. Colleges award associate’s and bachelor’s degrees and may offer trade school programs. Students need a bachelor’s if they wish to go to graduate school.
- Vocational school is typically less expensive than college – on average, the annual cost of college is $38,270.
- Those who have a bachelor’s degree tend to have higher earning potential, according to 2022 median salary data published by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES):
- Completed high school: $41,800
- Some college, no degree: $45,200
- Associate’s degree: $49,500
- Bachelor’s degree: $66,600
What can you study at a vocational school?
Availability depends on the school, but common vocational programs include:
- Accounting
- Air traffic control
- Animal care
- Art
- Car mechanics
- Construction management
- Cosmetology
- Culinary arts
- Dental hygiene
- Electrician
- HVAC
- Information technology
- Machining
- Manufacturing
- Nursing
- Paralegal
- Pharmacy technician
- Plumbing
- Veterinary assistant
- Welding
Should you go to vocational school?
Whether you go to vocational school depends on your goals and interests! Many careers, such as in cosmetology or HVAC, don’t require bachelor’s degrees. In these, vocational school can give you the skills you need to succeed, increase your salary potential, and help you obtain the required licenses for your chosen path.
If you’re not sure about what you’d like to do after high school, talk to your guidance counselor or academic advisor. They can help you review options, resources, careers, and schools that align with your passions and strengths. Want to start on the search now? Head over to our Career Finder to start exploring jobs, median salaries, responsibilities, required education, and more.
