Vocational Trade Schools in Vermont

Vocational schools offer associate degrees and certifications to learners studying a trade. Students confident in their future career choice who want to enter the workforce quickly typically benefit from trade schools.

Anyone who wants to make a career switch can apply to trade school at any age. After earning their degrees, graduates become professionals like electricians, welders, medical assistants, physical therapists, and dental hygienists.

Trade schools differ from traditional four-year colleges. Trade programs focus on one subject, while a bachelor’s degree covers multiple subjects and requires general education courses.

Associate degrees from trade schools take about two years to complete, while certificates from these institutions often take one year. Students who want to graduate as soon as possible can pursue accelerated or self-paced options.

The number of students attending trade school is on the rise. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor reveals that trade school enrollment increased by 56% between 2013 and 2018. Additionally, the National Center for Education Statistics found that 74% of students who earn an occupational credential find a job directly related to their major.

Read on to learn more about types of trade degrees, career and salary information, the importance of accreditation, and the top vocational schools in Vermont.

Prospective students should research a school’s accreditation status before applying. If a school earns accreditation, it means it receives quality evaluations from a third-party organization that the U.S. Department of Higher Education (ED) oversees. To check a school or program’s accreditation status, prospective students can use the ED’s database.

The accreditation process ensures that schools uphold academic integrity and provide learners with quality education. Trade schools can earn programmatic, regional, and national accreditation. Many vocational schools earn national accreditation through the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission also provides online vocational programs with national accreditation.

Some regionally accredited schools offer trade degrees. The New England Commission of Higher Education grants accreditation to vocational schools in Vermont. Some employers prioritize job candidates with degrees from regionally accredited schools, and certain scholarships reserve funds exclusively for students attending a regionally accredited school.

Programs can also earn accreditation. For example, respiratory therapy programs can earn accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care.

In addition to accreditation, vocational schools must have a license from a state agency or the ED. For more information about accreditation and licensure, applicants should contact their prospective school’s admissions department.

With so many tech schools in Vermont, finding the right one takes time. To help in the research process, we create and regularly update this list of top vocational schools in the state. We consider data like tuition cost and graduate success rates.

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

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for technical and trade school occupations is $55,270. Individual salaries vary based on industry, location, and experience.

For example, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earned a median annual wage of $55,160 in 2019, and the BLS projects the field to grow 14% between 2018 and 2028. Meanwhile, physical therapists earned a median annual salary of $89,440 in 2019 and benefit from a projected career growth rate of 22% between 2018 and 2028.

In Vermont, employers in large cities like Burlington may pay more than employers in smaller cities like Rutland. However, professionals who work in high-need locations, like rural towns, may qualify for federal loan forgiveness.

Seasoned professionals often earn more than entry-level professionals. For example, welders with less than one year of experience earn an average hourly rate of $15.32, according to PayScale. Welders with more than 20 years of experience earn $21.69 per hour on average.

Most trade schools provide programs in healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and maintenance. Most trade programs take two years for associate degrees and one year for certificates.

See below for four common programs at vocational schools in Vermont.

Trade school costs less than most four-year colleges. Students can lower the cost even further by finding financial aid. Learners can apply for financial aid through one form by completing the FAFSA.

The FAFSA provides students with federal grants and loans. Students do not need to repay grants. The federal government provides subsidized loans to applicants who demonstrate financial need. Subsidized loans require payment following a six-month grace period after graduation.

Students can also accept unsubsidized loans through the FAFSA. These loans are not need-based, but they begin accruing interest as soon as the recipient accepts the funds. Interest rates vary by loan and typically follow a 10-year repayment schedule.

Unfortunately, not all trade schools in Vermont may accept FAFSA. Prospective students can find out which schools accept the FAFSA.

The FAFSA takes first-time applicants around 55 minutes to complete. Students must reapply each year, which takes about 45 minutes. Applicants who file their taxes as dependents must submit their guardian’s tax information.

Although trade school presents an affordable education option, students can lower their future student loan payments even further by applying for scholarships. Read below for five scholarships reserved exclusively for learners studying a trade in Vermont.

Trade and Vocational Schools