Remember when everyone said going to college was your best chance at success?
That’s all changing.
More students are finding trade school’s job security and career stability a better career option than traditional college.
The Washington Post article “For the first time in 50 years, college grads are losing their edge,” outlines how trade schools are becoming a better bet for starting a career than college.
One reason? Unemployment among college graduates with bachelor’s degrees for the first time in 50 years dropped below levels for people who have completed trade school.
In addition, demand for tradespeople working in roles like welding, construction, diesel repair, and HVAC continues to rise, while workers in office environment find jobs disappearing due to the rise of AI.
Skilled Tradespeople are in Demand
Skilled tradespeople like electricians, welders, and diesel technicians grow at a rate 20 times faster than other jobs between 2022 and 2032, according to a report from McKinsey & Company. The report called the demand “record high,” and noted it’s projected to stay high because of infrastructure needs.
Trade School is More Affordable than College
Another reason is trade schools cost less than a college education. A report from the Education Data Initiative found that:
- Trade school programs average around $20,000 total.
- Student loan debt has reached $1.83 trillion.
- Trade school job growth is happening faster than average 3.5% expected for 2025.
- Skilled trades have seen a 17% increase in applications from 18-24-year-olds.
For trade school graduates, that means less debt coming out of school, which raises earning potential.
Trade Schools Get You Working Faster
Another factor that makes trade schools more attractive to young workers is that many trade school programs can be completed in about 9 months.
Trade school students can start applying for full-time work less than a year after beginning training, while most college students in a 4-year program don’t usually start low- or no-pay internships until after the second year.
Plus, entry-level salaries for trade workers are around $54,000 per year (according to the job site ZipRecruiter), meaning not only do tradespeople get started up to three years earlier, their salaries are more competitive than their counterparts.
Higher Job Security, More Growth
Hands-on jobs are still needed even when the economy isn’t great, making job security higher in trade roles.
While trade jobs rely on technology like other roles, the need for human skills makes them harder to automate or replace workers with AI or other technology.
ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu said young people realize the world is changing, and they are rolling with those changes. In an era where college graduates fear AI will make their jobs obsolete, hands-on workers are finding work more easily.
“They’re seeing more and more college grads working as baristas,” Basu said. “AI doesn’t threaten the blue-collar workforce the way it threatens the livelihoods of the white-collar workforce.”
By contrast:
- A 2025 Associated General Contractors of America survey showed 90% of construction firms were unable to fill all of their positions
- Electrical Contractor Magazine says an estimated 30% of union electricians are expected to reach retirement age in the next decade
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics says there are more than 584,000 job openings for welders, cutters, solderers, and braziers in the US in 2024.
These kinds of statistics and projections are the rule, not the exception, for many trades.
Traditional College Isn’t as Attractive
College students continue to face higher tuition costs and weaker job security, reducing the return on investment for the college path. As more people question the real value of a college degree, trade workers continue to become more valuable.
Student Loans Are Out of Control
In the US, the total student loan debt has more than doubled since 2007, according to College Board. In 2007, students carried about $780 billion in debt. Today that that number stands at $1.8.4 trillion, sending college graduates out in the world with potentially crippling debt that for most will take years to pay off.
College Grads Struggle to Find Jobs
Entry-level hiring for college graduates has slowed in recent years and continues to rise. Forbes reports 33% of 2025 college graduates were unemployed and actively seeking work, up from 24% in 2024.
Since 76% of companies have not increased entry-level hiring, jobs for college graduates continue to be tougher to find.
Is Trade School Better Than Traditional College?
Trade schools give students a solid career base in industries where demand is high and continuing to rise. Trades are more affordable than college programs and take less time to complete, making vocational education more appealing than ever.
FAQs
What are skilled trades?
Skilled trades are specialized hands-on occupations that require specific technical skills, knowledge, and training. Most skilled trades require vocational schooling instead of a college education. Examples of skilled trades include:
Is trade school expensive?
Compared to a four-year college degree, trade school is very affordable.
- The average vocational school program costs $20,000 total (source: Education Data Initiative)
- State college programs charge $11,610 per year on average. That’s more than 46,000 for a full degree (Source: College Board)
- Private colleges average $43,350 per year, $173,400 for a 4-year degree. (Source: College Board)
How long does trade school take to complete?
The length of time it takes to complete trade school varies depending on the program. At North American Trade Schools, most programs can be completed in under a year.