A trade school is an educational institution that provides hands-on training and specialized instruction for careers and skilled trades rather than a broad academic curriculum. Their programs are intended to prepare students to fill a specific role in the workforce. Trade schools, with tuition ranging from $3,973 to $16,877, are typically more affordable than four-year colleges. The tuition of a trade school depends on the type of program, the school, the duration of program, and other factors. The cost of some programs is as low as a few hundred dollars, while others cost more than $40,000.
What is a Trade School?
Trade schools train students for careers by providing practical, hands-on skills in such diverse fields as Healthcare, Technology, Construction, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, HVAC, Avionics, and Automotive. The highest salaries are earned by trade school graduates in fields such as Nuclear Power Reactor Operators, Elevator and Escalator Installer/Repairers, Air Traffic Controllers, Power Distributors, and Ultrasonographers, as well as healthcare professions like Dental Hygienist and Respiratory Therapist.
Students can usually finish a program in a few months to two years, but some programs take more than two years. With the diploma, certificate, or associate’s degree that they earn, they can enter the workforce sooner than those pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Trade schools often partner with local employers and unions to connect their graduates with apprenticeships or jobs.
The Cost of Trade School vs. College
The average annual tuition for a four-year college in the United States is $11,600 for an in-state public college and $43,350 for a private non-profit four-year college. Average total tuition for a trade school is $15,070. Tuition for some, but not all, types of trade school programs are shown below in Table A.
Table A
Average Tuition of Trade Schools by Program
| Program | Average Total Tuition | Typical Length |
| Automotive Technician | $25,870 | < 2 years |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | $14,700 | < 2 years |
| Electrician | $14,640 | < 1 year to 2 years |
| Cosmetologist | $16,320 | < 1 year to 2 years |
| Massage Therapist | $12,560 | < 1 year to 2 years |
| Welder | $11,230 | < 1 year to 2 years |
| HVAC Technician | $11,630 | < 1 year to 2 years |
| Skincare Specialist | $10,550 | < 1 year to 2 years |
| Commercial Driver | $8,900 | < 1 year to 2 years |
| Patient Care Assistant | $4,280 | < 1 year |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics
Below is information on the costs of programs in several popular specialties:
- Cosmetology:
- Average total tuition: $15,283
- Average net price: $16,237
- Tuition range: $1,000 – $28,650
- Total net price range: $1,111 – $40,133
Cosmetology focuses on the practice of beauty treatment. Programs can cover everything from general cosmetology to barbering, nail care, and skin care. On average, programs last about 10 months, but some can be as brief as four weeks.
- Culinary Arts:
- Average total tuition: $34,089
- Average net price: $19,722
- Tuition range: $1,320 – $157,200
- Total net price range: $6,903 – $36,293
Culinary Arts institutions offer courses on general cooking skills, baking, seasoning, nutrition, flavor development, and more. Some schools call their programs “Chef Training” or “Cooking and Related Culinary Arts,”. They last from 8 to 26 months.
- Vehicle Maintenance and Repair:
- Average total tuition: $30,617
- Average net price: $21,344
- Tuition range: $2,850 – $54,950
- Total net price range: $4,730 – 38,826
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technician programs teach students to repair airplanes, motorcycles, engines, boats, cars, and more. They take 5 to 20 months to complete.
- HVAC:
- Average total tuition: $15,929
- Average net price: $20,502
- Tuition range: $2,100 – $40,392
- Total net price range: $11,308 – $32,072
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Technician schools offer courses on repair, installation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of everything related to HVACR systems. Programs last between 8 and 20 months. Students should expect 3- to 4-year apprenticeships after graduation.
Why Choose a Trade School
For students whose educational goals can be met by a trade school, there are a several financial benefits to attending one instead of college:
- Lower cost: One of the biggest benefits is the fact that the cost of attending trade school is typically much less than college.
- Lower student debt: College student have an average of $37,853 in Federal student loan debt when they graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Trade school is less expensive and shorter, so students don’t borrow as much. Many students still take out Federal loans, with roughly 67% of them graduating with debt.
- Paid apprenticeships: In some programs, students participate in a paid apprenticeship while attending trade school.
- Start earning money faster: Some trade school programs last a few weeks, while most are completed in two years or less, compared to four years for a bachelor’s degree.
Using the FAFSA for Financial Aid
Even though most trade schools cost less than college, they can still be expensive. However, there are financial aid options available for those who need them.
Students can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to obtain financing for an accredited trade school. They may take out Federal loans for which they qualify on the same terms as college students. They may receive a Pell Grant if they demonstrate need via the FAFSA. States and trade schools use FAFSA data to determine if an applicant is eligible for state or institutional grants and scholarships.
There are private scholarships offered only to trade schools students. Many other scholarships are open to all students seeking a postsecondary education. There are free online scholarship databases that students may use to identify award programs for which they qualify.
Using IRS Section 127 for Trade School
If a student wants to begin or continue a trade school education while employed, they should seek an employer who offers an IRS Section 127 Educational Assistance Program (EAP). 52% of all employers offer an educational assistance plan (EAP) governed by IRS Section 127.
These programs offer long-term rewards for employers, who improve employee recruitment, loyalty, and retention, and employees, who improve their skills and credentials.
An EAP enables an employer to exclude from an employee’s reported income up to $5,250 per year in tax-free educational reimbursements. Employers are not required to provide an EAP, but if they do, assistance must be offered to all employees on a non-discriminatory basis that does not favor highly-compensated personnel. Employees must obtain authorization from the employer prior to beginning a course of study.
An EAP can cover a range of educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment. Certain items that employees keep after a course ends—such as tools—may not be covered. The training at the trade school does not have to be related to the employee’s current job to be reimbursable.
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