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Technical Schools: What are they and should I apply?
August 12, 2024
Dental hygienists, electricians, HVAC technicians, home inspectors, electricians, computer technicians, and a long list of medical assistants are all jobs people can earn simply by attending a technical school (tech school). And get this: these degrees are much more affordable and shorter in duration than traditional four-year colleges! So what are they and should you be considering them?
What are technical schools?
Technical schools are institutions that offer specialized education for specific careers that are for the most part, technology-based and require practical knowledge. Tech schools are often confused with trade schools which are programs for careers that are more hands-on. Once you graduate from either of these schools you’ll be qualified and able to apply for the job immediately.
Below is a table to preview various components:
| Technical School | Four-Year Institution | |
| End Goal | Specialization License or Certificate for immediate entry into the workforce; focus on hands-on, specialized training related to specific career | Bachelor’s Degree for broader education to provide for a diverse range of careers; focus on the concentration and major you select |
| Cost
*Data from Education Data Initiative |
Average $12,000 – $20,000 | Average $27,000 – $108,000 |
| Duration | 2 Months – 2 Years | 3-4 Years |
| Admission Requirements | Generally focused on applicant interest and experience within the field (high school diploma, minimum GPA, application form, pre-requisite courses) | Generally more academic qualifications (standardized testing, GPA, recommendation letters, application essays, extracurriculars) |
*Here is a list of vocatuibal/technical careers.
Things to Consider When Looking Into Technical Schools
Before applying to a technical school we encourage you to consider the following:
Job Retention: Is the job you intend to apply for worth your time and effort or are you simply learning a skill as a pastime? Will your job soon be replaced by artificial intelligence? You want to research your job prior to enrolling in a technical school so that you can secure a stable income in the future.
Accreditation: Is the technical school accredited with the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges? This is important because the job you intend to apply to may not accept non-accredited education.
Financial Return: Is the financial return worth the investment in a technical school? Does earning this degree guarantee a salary or career advancement? If not, is it worth your time?
Should I Consider a Technical School?
There are a lot of things to consider aside from those mentioned above. We highly recommend students think about their own happiness, job retention rate, and whether or not they feel the specialty they are applying for is worth the investment. This remains true for all institutions, but for technical schools especially, you want to be confident in your career decision. A lot of students that choose a technical school do so because they have a family business that they want to keep running or because they prefer to enter the workforce directly instead of participating in traditional schooling. Everyone has different reasons behind their decisions and we encourage you to explore your passions and your why. If you would like to seek more guidance, feel free to reach out to us at SK Education for a personalized educational plan.
Key Takeaways
- Technical schools are alternatives for individuals who would like to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.
- Technical schools are more affordable and often shorter in duration than a traditional 4-year college degree but they are not for everyone.
