Vocational Trade Schools in Kansas

A trade or vocational school is a postsecondary institution designed to prepare students for work in skilled professions. Learners can attend specialized trade schools or colleges that offer associate degrees in a variety of vocational disciplines. In Kansas, most trade and vocational programs are available through community and technical colleges. Common trade fields include auto repair, plumbing, radiology technology, medical sonography, paralegal studies, construction management, dental hygiene, and database administration.

The program length, course requirements, and cost of trade school programs differ from academic options. Most trade or vocational programs require 6-24 months to complete, while bachelor’s programs typically last four years. Trade programs also typically cost less than academic degrees. Trade school curricula prepare students to perform profession-specific tasks and usually include hands-on training. Trade programs may include an apprenticeship, clinical training, or supervised work hours. Trade school graduates often pursue licensure or certification, depending on their profession and state requirements.

Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.

Trade and vocational schools may be licensed and accredited. Accreditation and licensing provide quality assurance for students and parents by certifying that a school meets set standards.

Academic institutions in the U.S. can hold national or regional accreditation. Six accrediting agencies award regional accreditation, which is the most prestigious type of accreditation. Credits and degrees earned from regionally accredited schools typically transfer easily to other institutions.

Trade and vocational programs, however, typically receive national accreditation. National accrediting agencies often specialize in a certain field or profession. Learners can also look for accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, which accredits more than 650 trade and technical schools each year. Online programs may hold national accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission.

Typically, state agencies license trade and vocational schools. However, the specific licensing agency varies by state. Each state’s department of education often licenses vocational programs. Some programs may hold licensure from an field-specific agency, such as a state department of transportation.

Students should research each prospective school’s accreditation and licensing status to ensure its programs meet educational standards.

Program offerings vary by trade school. Some institutions focus on a particular career, while others deliver programming in various fields. Many two-year and four-year colleges offer associate degrees in trades and technical professions. The list below ranks the top trade schools in Kansas.

Many graduates of trade and vocational programs earn salaries that equal or exceed those of academic degree-holders. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), plumbers earned a median annual salary of $55,160 in 2019, while journalists and news correspondents earned a median annual salary of $43,490 in 2018. However, an individual’s salary potential depends on factors including industry, geography, candidate experience, and position.

Location can also impact the earning potential for trade professionals and technicians. Professionals in cities with high costs of living can often charge more for their services. However, operation costs are generally higher in these cities.

Earning potential and employment opportunities also vary by field. According to the BLS, the top-paying states for plumbers include Illinois, Alaska, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. The BLS projects a 14% increase in employment for plumbers between 2018 to 2028, a rate much faster than average for all occupations.

Vocational programs are available for a variety of trades and technical professions. Trade school students often complete apprenticeships or hands-on training to prepare for the workforce.

Trade professionals include electricians, plumbers, welders, cosmetologists, mechanics, paralegals, dental hygienists, and construction managers. In recent years, more trades have developed in the fields of medical technology and computer information systems. This section highlights a few common trade programs.

Prospective trade school students can pursue various types of financial aid to help fund their education. Learners should begin by completing the FAFSA to determine their eligibility for federal financial aid. Additionally, many states and institutions use the information students provide on their FAFSA form to award scholarships and grants.

Trade school students can also apply for direct subsidized and unsubsidized loans from the federal government. Direct subsidized loans, which include deferred interest payments, are reserved for students who demonstrate financial need. The loan amount for subsidized and unsubsidized loans depends on the student’s tuition costs and other sources of financial aid.

Learners may also be eligible for federal work-study programs, which involve part-time employment in exchange for funding. Work-study programs often place students in positions related to their field of study.

Most trade and vocational programs are more affordable than four-year degrees. By pursuing scholarship opportunities, such as those below, trade school students can often reduce or eliminate the need for student loans.

Vocational and trade school students can apply for a variety of scholarships to help offset the cost of professional training. Some scholarships are reserved for learners studying a particular trade, such as plumbing or carpentry, and some organizations award scholarships based on financial need or academic achievement. See below for five scholarships available to students at vocational schools in Kansas.

TRADE AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS