Community College vs Trade School: Which One Is Right for You?

In North Carolina, there are a few different paths that students can take to receive higher education: community college, trade school, or 4-year university. While all of these options have their own unique benefits, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast community college and trade school and highlight the pros and cons of each option. We will also provide some advice on how to choose between these two educational paths. Finally, we will discuss the benefits of attending a trade school and provide information on how Guildford or Davidson County students can apply for scholarships through the Lowes Family Foundation.

Community college and trade school key differences:

-Community colleges offer a variety of academic and vocational programs, while trade schools typically only offer vocational programs.

-Community colleges are cheaper than trade schools and universities, while trade schools are typically more expensive than community colleges but cheaper than universities.

-Community colleges typically take two years to complete an associate’s degree, while trade schools typically take one to two years to complete a certificate or diploma.

Trade school vs community college: pros and cons:

Community College:

-Pro: Community colleges offer a variety of academic and vocational programs. This means that you can take classes to explore different fields before deciding on a career path.

-Pro: Community colleges are cheaper than trade schools and universities. In North Carolina, community college tuition is $76 per credit hour for in-state students and $183 per credit hour for out-of-state students.

-Con: Community colleges typically take two years to complete an associate’s degree. This means that you will have to spend two years in school before you can start working in your chosen field.

-Con: Community colleges may not have the same job placement rate as trade schools. This means that you may have to spend more time looking for a job after graduation.

Trade School:

-Pro: Trade schools typically take one to two years to complete a certificate or diploma. This means that you can start working in your chosen field sooner than if you had gone to a community college or university.

-Pro: Trade schools typically have a higher job placement rate than community colleges. This means that you are more likely to find a job after graduation.

-Con: Trade schools are more expensive than community colleges. In North Carolina, trade school tuition ranges from $500 to $20,000 per year.

-Con: Trade schools typically only offer vocational programs. This means that you will not be able to take classes in other fields that may interest you.

Choosing between community college and trade school:

If you are unsure of what you want to study, community college may be a good option for you. This is because community colleges offer a variety of academic and vocational programs. Community college is also a good option if you are on a budget, as it is cheaper than trade school and university. However, if you know what you want to study and you are looking for a quicker path to a career, trade school may be the better option for you.

If you are a Guildford or Davidson County resident, you may be eligible for a scholarship through The Bill and Suzanne Lowe Family Foundation. The Foundation offers scholarships to students who wish to attend trade schools, vocational schools, or community colleges. You can learn more about the program and see if you qualify at https://lowescholarshipfund.org/eligibility/.