Trade schools provide specific training for skilled crafts. Students may enroll in trade school — sometimes called vocational school — immediately following high school. Trade schools can be stand-alone institutions or housed within a community college. Programs at trade schools provide hands-on experience through labs and workplaces. Students can pursue many specialties. For example, trade school programs in welding can prepare students for jobs in automotive fabrication or construction. Many programs prepare students for trade school jobs in 6-24 months.

• Carpentry: Carpentry trade schools teach students theory and practical woodworking skills in 9-24 months. As an example, a certificate at a community college may require 16 credits and takes less than one year to earn, whereas an associate degree at a vocational school may require 116 credits and takes about two years. Shop classes often provide hands-on training in construction. Lectures cover how to read blueprints and understand safety principles.

• CDL: Commercial driver’s license (CDL) programs teach students how to drive commercial trucks, such as a truck with a trailer. Students can earn a CDL in about 6-24 weeks. Coursework covers safety protocols and practical driving skills, such as parallel parking, turning, and coupling and uncoupling.

• Computer Information Systems/IT: Training in computer information systems or information technology (IT) offers students the chance to study topics like cybersecurity, networking, and even game design. Diplomas, certificates, and associate degree programs can prepare students for entry-level careers in IT in 6-24 months. 

• Cosmetology: Cosmetology trade schools teach students the art of doing makeup, nails, hair, and skincare in about 1-2 years. Students work in stimulated salons with paying customers. Cosmetology programs help prepare graduates for licensing exams in their states.

• Culinary Arts: Through cooking labs, online tutorials, and on-the-job experiences, students can learn the fundamentals of culinary arts. Participants typically study subjects like cooking, baking, purchasing, financial accounting, and sanitation and safety. Certificate and associate degree programs in culinary arts usually take 1-2 years to complete.

• Electrical: Trade schools usually offer specialized two-year associate degree programs or one-year basic electricity technician certificate programs that teach students about direct and alternating current circuits. As an example, students can gain hands-on training related to topics like industrial motor controls, basic wiring practices, and conduit bending. 

• HVAC: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians can train for the job through certificate and associate degree programs, which generally take 1-2 years to finish. Class topics include mechanical refrigeration, heating and cooling theory, and electrical components. Many HVAC programs offer students the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the field.

• Mechanic/Auto Mechanic: Students enrolled in auto mechanic trade school programs often learn how to service and repair domestic and foreign cars using multimeters, scanners, and other tools. Courses may cover topics such as transmissions, brake systems, and climate control systems. 

• Medical Assisting: Earning a degree or certificate in medical assisting can teach aspiring medical assistants about office protocol, pharmacology, and medical insurance management. Many programs take 1-2 years.

• Welding: Earning a welding certificate often takes 9-18 months. Lessons focus on different welding processes, including gas metal arc welding, plate and pipe welding, sanitary welding, and shielded metal arc welding.

• Wellness/Massage: A wellness and massage certificate program usually covers medical terminology, musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology, and ethics for massage therapists. Programs usually take less than one year to complete.

Yes, many public colleges including CUNY and SUNY offer trade programs at a much more affordable cost!

Trade school is typically much less expensive than a traditional four-year degree. In 2022-2023, the average annual cost of trade school was $15,070, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. In contrast, the average tuition and fees for a four-year degree was $20,727, totaling over $82,000 for a four-year program.

The cost of trade programs can vary based on your chosen field of study and where the program is being offered. Public trade schools and community colleges typically offer the most affordable programs, while for-profit schools are usually more expensive.

The federally-funded Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) can be used for trade schools as long as the school is accredited and has a Federal School Code. Your FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal student loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.

Attending an accredited trade school is important beyond ensuring that you will be eligible for federal aid. Accreditation means that your school meets teaching and assessment standards, and some certification or licensure agencies require that you graduate from an accredited school and program. Also, accreditation means that future employers will recognize your qualifications. Be sure to do your research before applying.

Note: Not all trade schools that qualify for federal aid qualify for NY state aid (TAP). Ex. APEX Technical School qualifies for FAFSA but not TAP.