The Top 10 Benefits of Going to a Technical School

Many people fresh out of high school – and people looking to further their career – have to choose between a technical school or a traditional college.

While many opt for a traditional college experience, enrolling in a vocational, technical, or trade school (particularly in allied healthcare, robotics, and automotive repair) offers numerous benefits.

We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 reasons to consider enrolling in a technical school today.

1. Tech Schools Are Cost Effective

A technical/trade school education is typically a fraction of the average bachelor degree cost (which can range from $67,000 to $172,000). With such a high price tag, university students typically take out more student loans than technical school graduates.

Technical and vocational schools (particularly robotics training and allied healthcare programs) offer a variety of programs at different lengths. This translates into major savings on tuition and supplies like textbooks. Many technical schools even include the cost of textbooks into their tuition rates, allowing students to calculate their education expenses more accurately.

It’s also common practice for students to live at home, allowing them to save significantly on living and accommodation expenses.

2. Students Learn by Practice

Technical and vocational colleges place an emphasis on career-focused, hands-on training in a certain trade or technical skill. Four-year colleges, however, tend to provide more theoretical experience and graduates are typically less prepared to enter the workforce.

When attending a technical school, students get to take advantage of technology in the classroom (which often closely resembles what they’ll encounter in their future workplace). For instance, prospective HVAC/R technicians often have internships that help them gain hands-on experience using these specialized systems.

3. Tech Schools Have Easier Admission Requirements

For poor test takers and adults who have been out of school for several years, traditional 4-year schools can be tough to apply to. Admissions officers at universities also tend to choose incoming students through GPAs and other extracurricular activities.

Admission requirements at many technical schools (like carpentry and automotive programs) are more relaxed. That said, some programs – such as cardiovascular technology – have a more selective process and may have stricter requirements.

4. Flexibility and Convenience Are Key Benefits

While technical and trade school programs typically offer daytime courses, many offer night and weekend classes, too. This might provide a better schedule for working adults who want to upgrade their skill sets or transition to an entirely new field.

Program lengths vary and depend on student availability. For example, someone studying to become a cardiographic technician can complete their training in three months if they attend regular weekday classes. If they choose a weekend program, that rises to six months.

5. An Education Is Always a Good Investment

With student debt at record levels, many people opt to work in specific trades without a degree. This is often the most affordable option, which may actually be a great investment down the line.

Without racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars to become a medical doctor, students can work towards, say, becoming a surgical tech and command an average salary of $47,000 when they have their certification.

A diagnostic medical sonographer (which typically requires a 2-3 year program) offers average salaries of around $70,000 – one of the highest allied health salaries. 

6. You Might Get A Job Before You Graduate

Tech schools place greater emphasis on career development seminars, as do staff who provide expert advice on relevant workforce skills like finding/obtaining employment, creating a resume, and communicating with potential employers.

Through internships and job fairs, students might connect with a specific business or hiring manager – long before their graduation date. 

7. Tech School Graduates Have Higher Rates of Employment

Courses offered at trade and vocational schools revolve around economic sectors that are in high demand. 

Students at vocational schools are trained for jobs that require employees to be physically present, meaning that it’s far more difficult to outsource or automate their positions. In other words, graduates in fields like automotive repair, trucking, and carpentry have far greater job security.

8. No Unnecessary Extra Classes

Four-year universities require their students to take general education courses outside of their primary field of studies, such as foreign languages, literature, history, and statistics.

While these classes might be required to meet graduation requirements, HVAC/R and automotive programs offer specialized courses that are relevant to their field. Avoiding unnecessary classes can save students unnecessary time, money, and frustration.

Technical schools offer the same core programs throughout the academic year, so students also don’t need to wait to take the courses they need while university students may need to wait a semester (or longer) just to fulfill their graduation requirements.

9. Smaller Class Sizes Mean More Personalized Education 

Instead of going to lectures with hundreds of students and one professor, tech and trade school students tend to receive more attention in their training. This is particularly true for students in electrician or electrical technician programs who must learn how to handle technology safely and efficiently.

More one-on-one attention from teachers, group study sessions, and project work means that you’ll be extremely skilled when you enter the workforce.

10. You’ll Be Able to Find a Career in Lucrative Fields

An increasing number of students and working adults are electing to enroll in vocational or trade schools. Why? You can receive a solid education quickly while also preparing for employment – immediately after graduation.

Students who are interested in starting a career in allied healthcare (which is projected to be the fastest-growing sector in the US) have several choices in jobs that are in high demand, including medical billing and coding, neurodiagnostic technology, and more.

Start Your New Career Path Today

If an allied healthcare career path sounds like something you’re interested in, contact an AIMS Education representative today!