Trade School vs. 4-Year College

Are you ready to start a new career? Do you wonder if you have the time to complete a 4-year college degree program? If so, The Refrigeration School (RSI) offers trade programs that can be completed in months rather than years.

What is a Trade School?

A trade school, also known as a technical or vocational school, offers short-term programs that teach specialized skills in a particular field. Whether you want to become an electrician, HVAC technician, welder, or another in-demand trade professional¹, RSI can help you start your new career.

Trade School vs. 4-Year College

There are many differences between a trade school and a 4-year college. Both want to teach you a new discipline and educate you with the knowledge and skills to succeed. However, some crucial differences should be considered. They include:

Program Length

Most trade programs can be completed in under a year. At RSI, you can become an HVAC technician in as little as six months or an electrician or welding specialist in 7 months. On the other hand, as the name states, a 4-year college can take four or more years to complete. Do you have this amount of time to complete an education?

General Education

A 4-year college degree program requires two years of electives and general education classes. They say it is to make you a well-rounded student, but who has the time to complete a class in 13th Century Literature? If you want to learn a trade and only take the necessary courses to teach you how to become a trade professional, then attending a trade school may be the best option.

Hands-on Training

Most of the time spent at a 4-year college is in the classroom. You will sit in big lecture halls and listen to the teacher (or teacher’s assistant) review the curriculum of a general field like business, computer technology, criminal justice, or accounting. While some of the time spent at a college includes laboratory time working with business software, completing research in the field, or working on projects with team members, there is little hands-on training.

On the other hand, at a trade school, a large portion of your time will be spent working on real-world scenarios and getting instructor guidance on proper technique. You will maintain and repair heating systems, wire a commercial building, or complete hundreds of hours of welding to prepare you for what you will find when you start your new career. Instructors even offer direct feedback and allow you to make mistakes so you can learn from them while building confidence to start working in your new job.

Career Services

Although you may network with instructors and classmates during a 4-year college degree program, we pride ourselves on helping you find a job after graduation. Our career services include resume building, interview preparation, and introductions to local Phoenix employers looking to hire trade professionals. We have strong ties with Phoenix employers, who know that RSI graduates are work ready.

Want To Learn More?

If you want to learn more about our trade programs, we can equip you with the necessary skills and expertise to start your new trade career in months rather than years. Call us today at (602) 607-0024 to learn more about our trade programs.

1. Employment is expected to grow for Welders, Cutters, Solderers & Brazers (514121) in the U.S. from 431,800 to 438,000 jobs through 2032, and Arizona from 5,980 to 7,560 jobs through 2030. Employment is expected to grow for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (499021) in the U.S. from 415,800 to 438,000 jobs through 2032, and Arizona from 10,450 to 13,650 jobs through 2030. Employment is expected to grow for Electricians (472111) in the U.S. from 762,600 to 811,800 jobs through 2032, and Arizona from 14,560  to 19,700 jobs through 2030. Employment is expected to grow for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (472152) in the U.S. from 482,700 to 493,600 jobs through 2032, and Arizona from 10,410  to 13,540 jobs through 2030. Employment is expected to grow for Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (499051) in the U.S. from 122,400 to 125,800 jobs through 2032, and Arizona from 1,270  to 1,420 jobs through 2030. https://www.careeronestop.org – sponsored by the Department of Labor, www.bls.gov, reported as of May 2023. Data pulled April 2024. Visit www.tws.edu/oes for specific details and data backups.

Additional Sources