Trade School vs College: A Complete Cost and Earnings Comparison

The college-for-everyone narrative is shifting as trade school graduates enter high-demand careers with zero debt and earn comparable salaries to many bachelor's degree holders. Here's an honest comparison.

Trade school costs: $5,000-$15,000 total for most programs (electrician, plumber, HVAC, welding, CDL). Duration: 6 months to 2 years. Community college trades programs are even cheaper at $3,000-$8,000.

College costs: public university $40,000-$100,000 for 4 years, private university $100,000-$280,000. Average student loan debt at graduation: $37,000. Duration: 4-6 years (many students take 5-6 years).

Earning potential comparison: trade school graduates start at $35,000-$55,000 and can earn $60,000-$100,000+ with experience and specialization. College graduates start at $35,000-$60,000 with significant variation by major.

The time value of money matters enormously. A trade school graduate earning $45,000 at age 20 earns $180,000 by age 24 (when a college student is just graduating with $37,000 in debt). That's a $217,000 head start.

Trades with the highest earning potential: electrician ($60,000-$100,000), plumber ($55,000-$95,000), HVAC technician ($50,000-$80,000), welder ($45,000-$90,000), commercial driver ($50,000-$85,000), elevator mechanic ($80,000-$120,000).

College degrees with strongest ROI: computer science ($70,000-$120,000 starting), engineering ($65,000-$100,000), nursing ($55,000-$80,000), accounting ($50,000-$70,000). Degrees in humanities and social sciences have lower starting salaries.

The skilled trades shortage is creating opportunity. The average age of a skilled tradesperson is 55, and millions are retiring. This shortage drives wages up and creates abundant job opportunities for new entrants.

Trades are not immune to downsides: physical demands increase injury risk, work can be seasonal in some trades, self-employment requires business skills, and career advancement may plateau without business ownership.

The best path depends on the individual. Trades are ideal for people who prefer hands-on work, want to earn quickly, and don't want debt. College is ideal for careers that specifically require degrees (medicine, law, engineering, teaching).

A middle path: start in trades, earn while you learn, and pursue a college degree later if needed — often with employer tuition assistance and zero debt. Many successful professionals took this path.