How Much Does Trade School Cost?

A postsecondary educational institution that is meant to provide training to its students related to any job in skill trading careers is known as a trade school. This means that the trade schools provide hands-on training related to particular skills in any field chosen by the students.  Let us see how much does Trade school cost.

How Much Does Trade School Cost?

The trade schools, in shorter durations, provide job training as opposed to colleges which offer 2 to 4 years of theoretical educational courses. Are trade schools more beneficial than regular college programs, and what they cost more or less in comparison will be discussed in this article.

How Much Does Trade School Cost?

The cost of trade school can be different depending on which institution you have opted to attend for grooming your skill practically with hands-on experience. The tuition fee ranges between $3,600 and $14,500 on an average yearly basis. The cost also varies depending on whether the vocational institute or trade school is public or private. The programs offered by them may also vary in duration ranging from a few months to 2 years, and the cost will automatically increase based on the longer duration. Some may cost as low as $1000, and others exceed $30,000.

Professions covered by trade schools

Trade schools cover many professions requiring grooming skills with practice and then using them to earn a living. These skills are mechanically, technically, and manually important. Trade schools arrange internship opportunities for students in practical life scenarios. The professions such as electrician, mechanic, plumber, practical nurse, hairstylist, etc., are covered by the trade or vocational schools. 

What factors control the cost of Trade Schools?

The cost of a trade school depends on factors such as the school campus environment, the location of the trade school, and the sort of skill training program you select for yourself. The location plays a very important role because if it is in bigger states, the cost will be higher than those of smaller states. Apart from this, if only a few schools exist in a state, then people who reside far from the location of trade schools will have to bear more cost than those who have access to more than one trade school in a nearby or same city.

How Much Does Trade School Cost?

The cost of trade school can be categorized into the following aspects:

  1. Tuition 
  2. Books and supplies
  3. Public or private institute net cost

Tuition 

The tuition fees for specific trade schools can be easily found on their website. The U.S. Department of Education has also generated a list of tuition costs of various trade schools. This list can be seen to know authentic costs associated with vocational schools working under different parameters. The parameters can be public or private schools, and some private schools can work as profit or non-profit organizations. The duration of programs in such schools usually lasts for less than two years.

Details of some of the average tuition costs are given below:

Less than two years of programs

Public schools with less than two years program cost nearly $7,701; private non-profit schools cost nearly $15,923, and private-profit schools cost nearly $14,519. 

Two-year programs

Private for-profit schools with two years program cost nearly $15,290, private non-profit schools with two-year program costs $14,887, whereas public schools with two years program cost nearly $3,674.

Reducing costs through grants

The costs associated with the trade schools can also be reduced with scholarships, grants, or any financial aid offered by the school. Public institutions gave average federal grants of $5,100 with two years programs to their students in 2019. Students in non-profit two years programs were granted an aid of $5,900, whereas students in profit-based two years programs were granted an aid of $4,600 in 2019. The increased figures for later years are not available.

Books and supplies

The trade schools teach you practical examples and work, but you still need accessories like books and tools to continue your studies. Two-year public students had to bear $1,460 for books and supplies. But some schools make these expenses part of their tuition fee.

The costs associated with the books and supplies also depend on the school campus you choose, whether private or public, its location, and the program you are willing to pursue.

Classification of costs

The government-based educational statistics have revealed the average total costs of undergraduate students in trade schools. These costs consist of total tuition fees, room costs, books cost, supplies cost, board costs, and other expenses like traveling, accessories, etc.

On Campus Cost

A 2-year on-campus program for private profit-oriented schools costs $30,000. A 2-year on-campus program for private non-profit-oriented schools costs $33,200. The cost of the 2-year on-campus program for public schools is $15,400

Off-Campus Cost

A 2-year off-campus program for private profit-oriented schools costs $20,700 while living with family. A 2-year off-campus program for private profit-oriented schools costs $30,100 while living without family. 

A 2-year off-campus program for private non-profit-oriented schools costs $24,000 while living with family. A 2-year off-campus program for private non-profit-oriented schools costs $32,900 while living without family. 

A 2-year off-campus public school program costs $9,400 while living with family. The cost of a 2-year off-campus program for public schools is $18,400 while living without family. 

Public or private institute net cost

When students choose a trade school, they see the school’s average net price based on both private and public nature. The net cost consists of all expenses plus the tuition fees, book and supplies cost after the inclusion of financial aid offered.

The average calculations after considering the above factors in 2017 were $7,505 for a two-year program in a public school, $18,711 for a two-year program in a Private profit school, and $20,402 for a two-year program in a Private non-profit school.

Best Trade Schools

Some of the best trade schools and their costs are mentioned below:

Trade SchoolsCost
Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center$8,922
Baptist Health College Little Rock$12,598
B.M. Spurr School of Practical Nursing$5,620
Butte County Regional Occupational Program$7,000
Concorde Career College-Garden Grove$32,469
Conclusion

The cost of school trade includes the tuition fee, books and supplies, and the nature of trade schools such as private or public schools. This cost can be covered either with personal savings or through financial aid, grants, merit-based or need-based scholarships. The cost may vary between $1000 and $30,000 depending on if the institution you selected is private or public. Usually, the cost of public trade schools is lesser than that of private trade schools. Student loans can also be availed to cover the trade cost completely without any of your expenses.

FAQ’s
  • Are books and supplies cost charged separately?

The cost of books and supplies is included in the tuition fee of some of the trade or vocational schools, whereas others prefer charging them separately apart from the tuition fee.

  • How to know the value of a trade school program?

The value of a trade school program can be known from the fact that it offers accredited programs. This also helps in applying for financial aid during studies if required.

  • Do trade schools help in an internship after studies?

The trade schools help their students find internship opportunities during and after their studies completion because they have good links with employers in the industry.