Why More Students Are Choosing Trade School Over College
Key Takeaways
- Trade schools are gaining popularity, while the value of a four-year degree drops
- There is a higher demand for skilled trade workers
- Unemployment is rising for grads with four-year degrees
For the past 50 years, experts have said the same thing: a bachelor’s degree is the key to better, more stable employment.
But as automation and AI creep into white-collar workplaces, trade schools are becoming not just another option but a better one. A college degree is no longer considered a guarantee for long-term employment and career success.
Why Trade School Careers are Gaining Popularity
The shift toward vocational education shows how practical skills can be better than expensive degrees.
An article in the Washington Post titled “For first time in 50 years, college grads are losing their edge” discusses how unemployment for workers with bachelor’s degrees are rising, dropping below the levels for trade school graduates for the first time in decades.
For tradespeople working as HVAC technicians and electricians, for example, unemployment is dropping, and demand is growing.
Trade School is Less Expensive
Trade education is significantly less expensive than a four-year degree. According to a Student Loan Debt Statistics Report from the Education Data Initiative:
- Vocational school programs cost around $20,000 total, compared with $35,000-$40,000 per year in college tuition.
- S. student loan debt reached $1.814 trillion in 2025.
- Trade school jobs are growing faster than the average 3.5% job growth expected for 2025.
- Construction and skilled trades have seen a 17% increase in applications from 18-24-year-olds.
High Demand for Skilled Labor Across Industries
A study from McKinsey & Company shows that essential skilled jobs, including electricians and HVAC technicians, will grow more than 20 times faster than the yearly increase in new jobs from 2022 to 2032. This need comes from older workers retiring, and fewer young workers ready to step in.
In addition, many trades are growing at a faster rate than other job types. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides job growth projections by occupation, and these trades are all growing faster or much faster than average:
Faster Entry into the Workforce
Trade school programs can be completed in as few as 9 months. Traditional degrees take 4 years, sometimes longer.
That means trade school graduates can start pursuing full-time roles in their chosen field less than a year after completing their education. Most traditional college students won’t start pursuing roles until after graduation.
Salary numbers look good, too. Job site ZipRecruiter reports the average entry-level trade salary is around $54,000/year (note that salaries vary widely by job type). Many trade school students start earning while their college friends are only halfway through their degree.
Job Security and Long-Term Growth Potential
Trade careers stay strong even when the economy isn’t. Hands-on jobs usually rely on human judgment and skills, making them hard to automate. Since they involve being on-site, they cannot be outsourced.
In the WaPo article, ABC chief economist Anirban Basu says young workers are realizing that trades still largely require a person working in a role, where in professional jobs AI and technology has led to a reduction in workforce that has made jobs harder to come by.
“(Young people) are realizing the world is changing; they’re seeing more and more college grads working as baristas,” Basu said. “Many are quite savvy in recognizing that AI doesn’t threaten the blue-collar workforce the way it threatens the livelihoods of the white-collar workforce.”
Why Traditional College is Losing Its Appeal
Students face mounting challenges that make them question the value of traditional higher education. The changing workforce is evidence that the four-year college path isn’t as great as people say, and its expense means it’s less valuable to workers.
Rising Tuition and Student Loan Crisis
The numbers hit hard: College Board reports public colleges now charge $11,610 on average annually, while private colleges averaged $43,350 for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Student loan debt ballooned to $1.63 trillion in 2024, compared to $0.78 trillion ($780 billion) in 2007. This debt forces many college graduates to delay life events such as buying a home or getting married.
Uncertain Job Outlook for College Grads
The benefits of a college degree keep shrinking. The class of 2025 struggled to find jobs: just 30% found full-time work in their field, according to a Forbes article. In 2024, it was 41%.
The unemployment rate for young college graduates hit 9.7% in September 2025, similar to that of high school graduates in the same age group. Most companies (76%) have not increased entry-level hiring, which is bad news for new graduates.
The Future of Trade Education and Workforce Trends
A four-year degree no longer guarantees career success, especially with sky-high tuition and fewer benefits. Trade schools give students a practical route to financial stability without crushing debt. Industries desperately need qualified workers, so people with trade skills can negotiate better wages and benefits.
The move toward vocational education shows people are thinking differently about investing in their future. Modern students want practical training that leads to stable, well-paying careers instead of expensive degrees with uncertain returns.
Ayers Career College can help you start a new career in the skilled trades. Explore career-focused programs and start the path to a new career today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between trade school and college?
Trade schools offer specialized, hands-on training for specific careers in skilled trades. They’re focused on teaching students skills to complete a specific job (like electrician or medical assistant).
Traditional colleges offer two- or four-year degrees and offer broader educational options that include general education requirements.
Is trade school cheaper than college?
Yes, trade schools generally cost less than a four-year college education.
Can you earn more in a skilled trade than with a bachelor’s degree?
Yes, but since salaries vary for both trades and jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree, it depends on the job type and program. Entry-level salaries for trades average $54,000 per year (according to ZipRecruiter).
Are trade jobs in demand right now?
Yes. Many trades face worker shortages, which means those employers are aggressively hiring new workers.