Vocational schools are career-focused postsecondary educational institutions offering job skills training programs that vary in length from a few weeks to one year or more. Unlike traditional four-year colleges, vocational schools emphasize hands-on career training to prepare students to enter the workforce in less time than a traditional college or university.
| Prerequisites | High school diploma or G.E.D. |
| Popular Trade Programs | Welding, HVAC/R technician, electrician, truck driver |
| Popular Allied Health Programs | Medical assistant, dental assistant, pharmacy technician, medical biller and coder |
| Earned Credentials | Certificate of completion or diploma |
How Much Does Vocational School Cost?
The average cost to attend vocational school in the United States is around $33,000[1]. That’s not the cost of a single semester, or even a full year, but an entire education. Vocational school students can train for a new career in a fast-growing and promising field for the same price as a single year at many four-year colleges or universities.Plenty of trade school programs cost even less. For instance, occupations that require a just a few weeks or months of training may cost less than the national average mentioned above. It’s important to note that cost will vary based on the length and career path you choose. The best way to get an idea of your potential costs is to speak directly with a vocational school about the training options and programs available.
Financial Aid for Vocational School
If paying cash for your career training isn’t an option, that doesn’t mean you can’t fund your education. In fact, many of the same financing options available to university students are also available to vocational school students. Let’s take a closer look at your options.
1: Federal Student Aid
Vocational school students are eligible for the same types of federal financial aid as traditional college students. The first step toward qualifying for financial aid assistance is filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA for short[2].The application can be completed online. It’s a bit time consuming, but worth the effort. It will help you get approved for educational grants or federally subsidized student loans[3].
2: Internal and External Vocational Scholarships
Internal: Many vocational schools offer their own internal scholarships for new students. If you know which vocational school you hope to attend, be sure to check the website for scholarship opportunities that can range from a few thousand dollars to full tuition.External: There are thousands of scholarship opportunities out there available to vocational school students. Once you’ve taken advantage of internal scholarship opportunities, you can start looking for private scholarships. There are plenty of online resources that will help you find the right opportunities for your field of study.
3: Private Student Loans
If a federally-subsidized loan isn’t right for you, private student loans are available through banks, credit unions and other private financial firms.
Can You Get a Degree from a Vocational School?
Most vocational school graduates earn either a diploma or a certificate of completion in a particular field of study, although some vocational schools do offer two-year associate’s degrees[4]. While these are not the same as bachelor’s or advanced degree, they will prepare graduates to enter the workforce in a specific field and prepare them to take the necessary state-level exams to become certified.Vocational schools are also a great option for continuing education. For example, a professional welder may want to advance his or her career or improve their skill set by attending a pipefitter continuing education course.
Is a Vocational School the Same as Trade School?
The terms vocational school, trade school or technical school are for the most part interchangeable[5]. In fact, the National Center for Education Statistics defines vocational schools as offering coursework and training in several career areas, including:
- Allied health
- Mechanical trades
- Skilled trades
- Business
What Are the Benefits of Attending Vocational School?
Vocational schools are a popular alternative to traditional college for people who have time or monetary constraints. Some people just aren’t interested in spending four years or more training for a new career. Let’s take a look at some of the key benefits of vocational school.
1: Fast Path to a New Career
Vocational programs vary in length from a few weeks to around two years. This attracts students looking for career-specific training that can be completed in less time. For instance, a bachelor’s degree takes at least four years to complete. Two years is spent studying general education courses unrelated to someone’s major.On the other hand, students who choose to attend vocational school start training for their new career on day one. Someone training to become an HVAC/R technician could be ready to enter the workforce in anywhere from nine to 12 months.
2: Great Option for Working Adults or Parents
Vocational training programs offer flexibility that many traditional colleges and universities cannot provide. One example is the option for students to take day or evening classes. This is a huge game changer for adults with busy schedules who may only be able to study during evening hours.
3: More Start Dates, Year-Round Classes
Vocational schools like Delta Technical College offer classes year-round. With more start dates available, new students don’t have to wait several months to start once they’re accepted into a program.
Popular Vocational School Programs
Which programs do most students choose? There are a handful of career paths students choose based on earning potential, job growth and interest.
Allied Health Programs
Dental Assisting: Delta Tech’s nine-month dental assistant program prepares students for a career assisting dentists by providing patient care and performing other related duties. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics this fast-growing field is expected to grow by 19 percent through 2026, much faster than average.
- Educational requirements: Vocational training and state certification (where applicable)
- Industry growth: 19% through 2026[6]
- Educational requirements: Vocational training and state certification (where applicable)
- Industry growth: 29% through 2026[7]
- Educational requirements: Vocational training
- Industry growth: 13% through 2026[8]
Skilled and Mechanical Trade Programs
Welder: Professional welders usually train for anywhere between seven and nine months. It’s a mix of technical and hands-on welding training that helps students develop the skills to find entry-level employment.
- Educational Requirements: Vocational training or apprenticeship
- Industry Growth: 6% through 2026[9]
- Educational Requirements: Vocational training
- Industry Growth: 15% through 2026[10]
- Educational requirements: vocational training and passage of state-level commercial driving exam.
- Industry growth: 6% through 2026[11]
- [1] https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/my-money/articles/2016-04-12/the-financial-case-for-trade-school-over-college
[2] https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/prepare-for-college/choosing-schools/types#career-schools
[3] https://fafsa.ed.gov/
[4] http://education.seattlepi.com/degrees-can-earn-trade-school-3395.html
[5] https://nces.ed.gov/pubs/web/95024-2.asp
[6] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-assistants.htm
[7] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-assistants.htm
[8] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm
[9] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/production/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers.htm
[10] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm
[11] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm
