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Trade School vs 4-Year Degree: A Real Cost Comparison

By James Rodriguez9 min read

We're not here to bash college or glorify the trades. We just want to look at the numbers honestly, because most of the "trade school vs college" content out there cherry-picks stats to push an agenda. Let's do this right.

The Cost Side

Trade School / Apprenticeship - **Tuition:** $5,000-15,000 for most programs - **Duration:** 6 months to 2 years (classroom), or 4-5 years for a full apprenticeship - **Lost income during training:** Minimal - apprentices earn $15-22/hr while training - **Total investment:** $5,000-15,000 out of pocket - **Typical debt at completion:** $5,000-10,000

4-Year University - **Tuition:** $40,000-100,000 (in-state public) or $150,000-300,000 (private) - **Duration:** 4 years (many take 5-6) - **Lost income during training:** 4 years of full-time earnings ($120,000-160,000 in opportunity cost) - **Total investment:** $160,000-460,000 (including opportunity cost) - **Typical debt at completion:** $30,000-50,000

The Earning Side (First 10 Years)

Skilled Trades Path - **Year 1-2:** $32,000-38,000 (apprentice/helper) - **Year 3-5:** $48,000-58,000 (journeyman) - **Year 6-10:** $60,000-80,000 (experienced/master) - **10-year total earnings:** ~$500,000-600,000

College Graduate Path (average) - **Year 1-4:** $0 (in school, accumulating debt) - **Year 5-6:** $40,000-48,000 (entry level) - **Year 7-10:** $50,000-65,000 (mid-career) - **10-year total earnings:** ~$260,000-380,000

The Catch

The college path catches up eventually - especially for high-earning fields like engineering, computer science, and finance. By year 15-20, many college grads out-earn tradespeople on an annual basis.

But not all degrees are created equal. An English major with $45k in debt earning $38k/yr is in a very different position than a software engineer making $120k. The "average college grad salary" stat hides enormous variation.

What Nobody Talks About

  • Physical toll: Trades are harder on your body. By 50, many tradespeople have chronic pain issues. Office jobs are easier on the joints.
  • Career ceiling: Most trades top out at $80-100k unless you start your own business. Some white-collar paths have higher ceilings.
  • Job security: Skilled trades are very recession-resistant. You can't outsource a broken pipe or a wiring job.
  • Flexibility: A trade can take you anywhere in the country. Your skills transfer across state lines.
  • Business ownership: Starting a plumbing or electrical business requires much less capital than most other businesses.

The Real Answer

It depends on who you are. If you're practical, good with your hands, and don't want to sit at a desk - the trades offer a faster path to solid middle-class income with minimal debt. If you're aiming for a specific professional career that requires a degree, college makes sense - but choose your major carefully.

The worst option? Going to college because "that's what you're supposed to do" and graduating with $50k in debt and no clear career path. That's the scenario where the trades win every time.