What Are the Benefits of College Vs. Technical School?
For students who decide they don't want to dedicate four years to a degree program, a technical or trade school often makes sense as a way to advance a career ambition. However, for students who possess more academic discipline and a desire for increasing income and employment options, a four-year bachelor's program might prove beneficial.
1 Social Experience
For students who want the more traditional college experience, a four-year college or university is a better fit. Trade or technical schools often have fewer on-campus housing options than four-year schools. At a traditional college, you can live in a dorm or on-campus apartment, become more active in social clubs and Greek life, participate in intramural sports and hang out with friends at school and in the college community. This offers a better chance at social involvement and the development of strong friendship bonds. Technical schools are more commonly commuter-based, with students driving in for classes and leaving shortly after.
2 Employment Potential
College degrees generally included a broader range of content that qualifies graduates for entry-level careers in a variety of businesses and industries. Technical schools are much more degree-and industry-specific. While they might offer more immediate employment in the field, they lead to less overall career flexibility. In some cases, students with a four-year college degree can land jobs requiring degrees in areas outside of their college major. This is the benefit of taking classes in math, sciences, language, humanities and communication, along with major-specific classes.
3 Income Potential
Technical school graduates in certain careers can actually find jobs that pay higher than entry-level jobs attained by four-year graduates. However, on the whole, four-year grads make more over the duration of their working lives and have access to more high-paying jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics studied median income across all education levels in 2015. The results showed that bachelor's degree earners made 42 percent more, typically, than workers with an associate's degree in usual weekly earnings.
4 Broader Knowledge Base
Along with the tangible career and income advantages, a primary purpose of a four-year college experience is to develop a broader knowledge base and skill set. The combination of general education courses, program courses, electives and hands-on college experiences typically provide this. Along with greater career flexibility, a more well-rounded education enhances a graduate's ability to converse, interact with community and business leaders and participate more fully in the entire operation of an organization.
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