Is Dental Career Training Right For You?

Take The Free Quiz
Southern Ontario Dental College

News & Updates

Trade School vs. College: How to Tell Which Is Right for You

Posted in Articles, Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist.

For education, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

While some students go to a traditional college, others may opt for a trade school.

Deciding whether a trade school vs. college is right for you can be a hard decision. From choosing what you want to do after high school to how much college and trade school costs, the decisions can seem never-ending.

This guide will discuss a quick review of getting a trade vs. college education to help you decide which one is right for you.

How a Traditional College Works

A traditional college education can be a great but costly experience.

If you aren’t sure what you’d like to do for a career, a college education can give you some time to consider your options.

College degrees will typically take two to four years to complete. Because of this, you will often pay more in tuition costs. If you chose to go far away for school, you also must add room and board to your tuition costs.

Living at school, however, can be a great learning experience if you can afford to live on campus. You just need to take the time and cost of living into account when you’re budgeting and planning for college.

One downside to a traditional college education is that if you aren’t sure what career path you’d like to go down, you may end up paying for extra courses you don’t need in the long run.

What Is a Trade School and How Much Does a Trade School Cost?

If you have a clear career path in mind, a trade school can be a great option.

Trade schools offer specific education based on the job you’re pursuing.

Trade schools focus on skill-based learning and there is usually less time needed to complete your education. Because you can earn your degree or certification in less time than a traditional college, you’ll usually save more money on tuition.

With a trade school, you can often save on room and board and classes you don’t need. Your curriculum will all be based around the job you’re training for.

Trade School vs. College: Which Is a Better Option?

For knowing whether a trade school or college is best for you, there are a few key considerations to think about.

From your future goals and career plans to the cost of education, look at the whole picture before making your decision.

While there’s no way to know if a trade school vs. college salary will be higher, there’s also no guarantee that spending more on a traditional education will mean you’ll get paid more. Sometimes, you may just end up without a clear career path and more tuition debt.

Deciding if trade school vs. college is better is something best answered if you know your career path first. If you have a good idea of what you’d like to do, a trade school can really help you finish your education in less time and for less money.

If you’re considering a career in dentistry, request more information here for everything you need to know about careers and schooling options.

SODC is NOW accepting Dental Hygiene & Dental Assisting applications for 2025. View Programs