Why Choose Trade School Over College?

A four-year degree has long been considered the traditional path from high school into a career.
However, rising costs, economic uncertainty, and a desire for flexible learning have pushed many young people to explore other options. Trade school offers an attractive alternative. Vocational programs, like the beauty programs offered by Bellus Academy in California and Kansas, can be completed in less time and with less debt while still opening the door to exciting careers. Here, we discuss trade school vs. college and the benefits students enjoy when choosing trade school.

Trade School vs. College – What’s the Difference?

College degree programs are typically designed to provide a broad academic foundation. Students participate in a set of general education courses to widen their knowledge and hone their reasoning ability. Most coursework takes place in a classroom environment focused on theoretical discussion.

In contrast, trade school programs deliver career-focused training. They eliminate the general education and liberal arts courses associated with a four-year degree program. Instead, all coursework is targeted toward preparing students for a specific career path or vocation. While some instruction takes place in a classroom, a large percentage of trade school training is hands-on. This design helps students develop a technical skillset to impress potential employers.

College graduates earn a degree that is recognized in a variety of workplaces and industries. Trade school graduates, meanwhile, typically sit for a licensure exam to earn a licensure. This licensure is targeted toward a particular career field and is often required to work within that industry.

The Benefits of Trade School

The career-focused design of vocational schools offers unique advantages over colleges and universities. The following factors are among the many reasons people choose trade school over college:

Duration

Because trade school programs do not include general education requirements, they take far less time to complete. A bachelor’s degree takes three to four years from start to graduation. In contrast, many trade school programs – including those offered at Bellus Academy – can be completed in less than a year. This allows students to enter the workforce and start earning sooner.

Affordability

Because trade school is shorter, it’s also more affordable. Students often pay for a single year of training rather than multiple years. They may learn from home rather than staying in expensive campus housing. In addition, if you choose an accredited school, financial aid opportunities for students who qualify are as widely available for trade programs as for colleges.

Flexibility

Completing a vocational program and earning certification takes far less time than earning a college degree. This makes major career changes easier and more accessible to working adults.

Dispelling Trade School Misconceptions

Despite the advantages, is trade school really the career path for you? Many people assume vocational schools are for manual jobs such as plumbing, construction, or vehicle engine repair. While often lucrative, these careers aren’t for everyone.

Today, however, trade careers are far more diverse. Attending a vocational school isn’t only for future welders and electricians; it’s also a path into the vibrant and ever-expanding beauty industry. This field offers career opportunities far beyond the salon chair, including roles in brand ambassadorship, beauty education, content creation, launching your own product line, and more.

Choosing a Beauty School

Attending a cosmetology school is the first step on the journey toward working in the beauty industry. As with any career, the right education matters. Located in the San Diego, CA, region and Manhattan, KS, Bellus Academy is a beauty institution offering several programs, including:

• Barbering
• Barbering Cosmetology
• Cosmetology
• Esthetics
• Esthetics Nail Technology
• Nail Technology
• Spa Nails

Along with these programs, students at Bellus Academy get access to a variety of other benefits, including:

• Accreditation: Bellus Academy is accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences. Accreditation enables financial aid opportunities to those who qualify, including federal loans and grants, and assistance from experienced financial aid representatives.
• Experience: Our licensed instructors have experience in the industry. Many have won awards and recognitions for their educational and creative work.
• Equipment: Bellus Academy students receive a kit full of salon tools and products, helping them build familiarity with future workplace equipment.
• Convenience: Many of our programs are available in a hybrid model, allowing students to learn theory online while training hands-on skills in our Student Salons and Spas under the supervision of licensed instructors.

Enroll in Trade School at Bellus Academy

Open the door to rewarding new opportunities when you enroll at Bellus Academy. We are a beauty school offering programs for passionate students. We have three campuses throughout the San Diego region, in Poway, Chula Vista, and El Cajon, CA, and one in Manhattan, KS. To learn more about the advantages of trade school vs. college, contact us today at 888-990-7094. To get started, apply now.