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If you’re in high school and trying to figure out your next step, you might be wondering if a two-year or four-year college is right for you.

College doesn’t fit everyone’s career goal, financial situation, or purpose in life. So, what are your alternatives? Trade schools, sometimes called vocational or technical schools, may be worth looking at. These schools and their programs generally teach a very specific set of skills necessary to fulfill the duties of a particular job.

Do You Enjoy Learning by Doing?

If you are the kind of person who gets more from actually doing something than from textbooks, then trade schools are where you should invest your time and energy. Trade school programs are taught with a strong focus on the hands-on practical training you will need.

There are many privately owned and online trade schools. Some schools offer both for the flexibility of their students. You will also find some high school and community college trade school programs.

Other Popular Areas of Study for Trade Schools Include:

  • Cosmetology
  • Culinary Arts
  • Automotive
  • Plumbing
  • HVAC
  • Electrical
  • Healthcare
  • Computers and Technology

Some arts and design schools issue degrees in interior design, fashion, photography, web design, architecture, music production, and more. Online trade schools offer the flexibility of working and raising a family while still advancing your education to achieve your goals. With online trade school programs, there is no commute to class or daily schedules.

With today’s technology and the internet, you can take your classroom and work with you anywhere you want. Your online tutors, support, and electronic textbooks are features that can assist you with your education. Other trade school offers that may interest you are paralegal studies, renewable energy (for those interested in saving the environment), cyber security, and criminal justice.

If you need practical skills for employment without the time and financial investment of college, then research a few of the top-ranked schools below. Some of these schools offer the classroom setting if you choose that route but also offer the advantages of online programs. Most trade schools offer placement assistance for their graduates while the training and skills you learn to market you as an asset to any business.

Well-Known Trade Schools

The University of Phoenix is one of the best-known trade schools offering online and classroom education. It is an accredited university that offers associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees, as well as doctoral degrees, certification, and single courses. It also offers flexible schedules. The University of Phoenix offers programs in business and criminal justice, education, nursing and healthcare, psychology, information technology, and continuing education.

ITT Technical Institute is another highly recognized school with more than 100 locations nationwide. Some of their trade school degrees are in web development, computer drafting and design, multimedia, criminal justice, computer and electronics engineering technology, business administration, computer network systems, software applications and programming, technical project management, and information systems security.

These schools give you the marketable skills necessary to put you into a job or career sooner rather than later. Even if you’re currently working or have other responsibilities, you’ll still be able to increase your skill level and aim for a higher-level paying position—without the worry of repaying the high cost of student loans.

Chase Turner

Chase Turner

A developer by day and amateur car enthusiast by...weekend, Chase has an affinity for the 1960s pony car era and all things American-made.