Average trade school cost research summary: Trade schools can be an excellent option for anyone who wants to advance their skills, without the hassle of college classes. For some positions, like plumbers and automotive technicians, trade school is essential.
So, if you’re a job seeker looking into the cost of trade school, stay tuned. We’ve investigated trade school costs in the US, and according to our research:
Key Takeaways:
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Trade school costs an average of $17,600.
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Trade school costs over 50% less per year than college, on average.
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Trade school can be completed in a few months to 2 years on average, compared to college’s 2-4 years.
Average cost of trade school by career path
The average cost of trade school often varies by career path, as some careers require more training or equipment than others. To find out more about the cost of different career paths, here is a comprehensive chart:
Average trade school cost by career path
| Career path | Average trade school cost | Average annual salary |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Technician | $5,100 | $36,300 |
| Veterinary Technician | $10,500 | $38,800 |
| Truck and Bus Driver | $13,400 | $42,700 |
| Nursing Assistant and Patient Care Aide | $14,400 | $32,900 |
| Dental Assistant | $16,300 | $46,000 |
| HVAC Technician | $16,400 | $48,400 |
| Electrician | $17,200 | $55,200 |
| Plumber | $17,800 | $43,000 |
| Medical and Clinical Assistants | $19,700 | $39,400 |
| Auto Technician | $22,300 | $57,800 |
Of the career paths listed, the Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Technician role has the lowest average trade school cost of $5,100. On the opposite end, the Auto Technician job has the highest average cost of $22,300.
However, it’s also important to note that the extra cost could be worth the higher salary. Auto Technicians have an average salary that’s roughly 60% higher than Motorcycle Technicians, at $57,800 to $36,300.
Trade School Cost by School Type
There are a few different types of trade schools with different average costs. For example, a for-profit trade school is typically more expensive than a public trade school, but might offer more specialized courses.
Here are the different types of trade schools listed in order from least expensive to most expensive:
Average trade school cost by trade school type
| Trade school type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Public Trade Schools and Community Colleges | $12,200 |
| Nonprofit Trade Schools | $16,500 |
| For-Profit Trade Schools | $20,030 |
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Public trade schools. These trade schools provide the most affordable options for trade certificate programs, as well as Associate degree programs that can be used to advance your career.
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Nonprofit trade schools. Nonprofit schools tend to offer more affordable trade certificate programs when compared to for-profit trade schools.
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For-profit trade schools. These trade schools offer a wide variety of high-quality programs and specialties but are usually more expensive than the other two options.
Ultimately, where you decide to go to school will largely depend on your desired career path, as you may find certain institutions offering the programs you need, while others do not.
Average trade school cost FAQ
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Can you use federal student loans for trade school?
You can use federal student loans for some trade schools, but not all. For example, if your school is accredited, a public trade school, or a community college, you should have no issue acquiring federal aid.
Here are some other ways you can be eligible for federal student loans:
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The courses you need to take will be used to enter a degree program.
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The courses will be used to become certified (or recertified) as a teacher.
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Your certificate program will be training you for a specific career.
When in doubt, reach out to your institution and the federal student loan office to ask questions about your desired education and career path.
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How long do most trade schools take?
Most trade schools take between a few months to 2 years on average. This is roughly half that of a typical college education, which takes between 2-4 years to complete.
This means that trade school costs even less than you might think, if a college were to cost $35,000 per year, the total cost after 4 years would be $140,000. Conversely, if a trade school were to cost $20,000, the total cost after 2 years would only be $40,000.
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What are additional trade school costs?
There are a few additional trade school costs you should be aware of, besides tuition. Here are some important additional costs you should be sure to factor into your budget:
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Books and Supplies: $1,500
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Housing: $8,000-$18,000
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Apprenticeship: $4,800-$8,700
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Opportunity Cost: 9-18 Months of Lost Salary
Keep in mind that none of these costs are guaranteed. For instance, many programs don’t require an apprenticeship, and you may already have housing. However, it’s always important to be prepared for any unforeseen costs you may encounter.
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How does trade school ROI compare to a bachelor’s degree?
Trade school typically has a higher ROI than a bachelor’s degree, with graduates earning an average of 22 times more than what they spent on their education. Those who earn a bachelor’s degree, on the other hand, only earn around 15 times more than what they spend on their education.
This is because a Bachelor’s Degree is more expensive, due to the higher average cost of tuition and longer commitment time.
Of course, those with a Bachelor’s degree do have higher salaries on average; however, this isn’t the same as a high ROI.
Conclusion
The average trade school cost is $17,600 in 2023. This is over 50% less expensive than the average college tuition cost of $36,400.
Of course, these numbers also vary by career path and trade school type, with private trade schools being 64% more expensive on average than public trade schools, and Auto Technicians spending 3x more on trade school than Motorcycle Technicians.
Overall, you’ll need to take the time to factor in all potential costs when applying for trade school. Consider your desired career path and school, as well as whether or not you’ll need housing and time off work. All of these considerations will factor into the final cost of trade school.
References
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Midwest Technical Institute – Trade school vs College: a guide to weighing cost, timelines and more
Author
Jack Flynn is a writer for Zippia. In his professional career he’s written over 100 research papers, articles and blog posts. Some of his most popular published works include his writing about economic terms and research into job classifications. Jack received his BS from Hampshire College.
