Trade School

Technical, vocational or certification programs are a great option for students who don't want to go to 4-year college, but do want to pursue a career that requires specific skills. Technical colleges (aka Trade Schools) provide hands-on training for specific jobs in the skilled trades. Programs typically last 6 months to 2 years and offer students the credentials needed to qualify for a job. Technical colleges also might offer associate degrees for some areas of study. 

Unlike universities, which educate students in a range of topics unrelated to their major, technical colleges only require students to take the classes they need to prepare themselves for a specific career. This streamlined process makes technical colleges a preferable option for people who want to get into their career faster. 

Factors to consider

• Admission: No minimum GPA requirement; accepts students who don’t have the standard profile of those who academic schools admit

• Cost: Much lower costs than two or four-year colleges; shorter programs; no housing cost

• Lifestyle: Minimal lifestyle changes; students typically live away from campus and commute to school;

• Campus size: Typically smaller than four-year colleges, with smaller campuses and class sizes

• Career guidance: More focus on career advice; instructors have connections in the fields in which they teach

Find Trade School programs

Trade schools (also called technical colleges, community colleges, vocational colleges) in Washington provide residents with affordable programs in a wide range of popular job fields in the Pacific Northwest. Certification and degree courses are available in everything from high technology to healthcare and business, with most schools offering a combination of online courses and campus-based training to accommodate the busy, modern student.