Skilled trades are growing in demand across today’s job market. But with a recent report from American Enterprise Institute finding that only 12% of trade credentials lead to significant pay increases over time, how do you choose a career path that keeps you ahead of the curve?
Learn how to evaluate trade programs, compare your needs and options, and choose a pathway that leads to long-term career and financial success without getting ripped off.
What is a Trade School? Where Can You Learn a Trade?
Choosing where to get experience or education in a trade can be a tough decision. When investing money in your future, you want to pay for the training that pays you back.
Trade schools, also known as vocational or technical schools, offer short, hands-on programs to prepare students for specific technical careers. They’re often considered to be a quick, direct route into the workforce, taking anywhere from two months to two years to complete. Students earn a certificate they may need to renew regularly depending on the field.
Students can also enroll in trade programs at a college or university. This route combines similar, hands-on courses with the opportunity to earn college credits or pursue a degree in a traditional college atmosphere.
The State University of New York has trades. There are nearly 600 programs designed to train students across SUNY’s community colleges and technology colleges. Programs range from short-term, microcredential courses, to associate degree programs. Visit suny.edu/trades to find programs of interest across the state.
Learning a trade through college
- Provides broader career pathways.
- Lets you stack your credentials.
- Allows you to easily build on your education in the future if you want to earn a bachelor’s or master’s.
- Offers a variety of coursework taught by multiple professionals.
- Allows you to earn a degree that does not need to be renewed.
“You get a degree and that’s for life,” Kristen Pepper-Cole, a student in the Diesel Tech program at SUNY Cobleskill, explained part of the reason why she chose to learn through SUNY. “You don’t have to renew it, and you can expand it. Colleges are willing to help.”
Helen Clancy, a SUNY Cobleskill student in the K9 Training and Management program explained that learning in a traditional college atmosphere gave her access to more perspectives and experiences.
“You can’t get this hands-on experience and wide breadth of classes anywhere else,” she said. “Here we have so many different professors from so many different backgrounds.”
Katie Baronowski, another student in the K9 program, appreciated learning the trade through SUNY for the opportunity to earn a psychology degree alongside it.
“With the SUNY Cobleskill tie to UAlbany, I was able to have a pathway for graduate school,” she explained.
Weighing the Cost of Your Trades Program
When deciding whether to go to trade school or college, the daunting idea of student debt can sway your decision.
SUNY grads have less student debt on average than their peers across the country. SUNY strives to make college affordable.
“My first year (at SUNY Cobleskill) was fully covered by financial aid and scholarships,” Pepper-Cole explained. “Trade schools have financial aid, but they don’t have as many grants or funds.”
Did you know, tuition for a 2-year degree at SUNY usually falls around $5,560? That’s about $10,000 less than the national average trade school cost according to BestColleges using data from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Most SUNY students do not end up paying the full amount for tuition. Financial aid can cover a chunk of the costs to attend SUNY through scholarships and grants.
Another way to cut down on college costs is to find a program close to home. SUNY offers trade programs in every region of New York State.
Return on Investment
Cost alone doesn’t tell the whole story. It’s important to consider the return on your investment when choosing your program. What is the cost of your education compared to how much you can make over your lifetime once you’re finished?
Consider:
- Job placement rates
- Starting salary and long-term earning potential
- Whether the credential needs to be renewed (added cost)
- If the program provides career support, networking, or pathways to more education.
Learn While You Earn with a Registered Apprenticeship
Balancing work and school is another common concern for students when choosing where to learn a trade.
SUNY offers credit toward degree programs for students who learn skills through real-world experiences such as military training, certifications, and apprenticeships. During an apprenticeship, students earn money while learning to do a specific job in an applied technology field.
An apprenticeship can give students on-the-job training and prepare them to enter the workforce right away. SUNY works with employers in New York State to offer Registered Apprenticeships.
What is a Microcredential vs. a Certificate vs. a Degree?
Each option offers direct access to relevant classes and skills in the trade field that interests you. Each can be completed in a short amount of time, allowing you to enter the workforce right away.
A microcredential is designed to be completed in a matter of months. These courses offer skills, knowledge, and practical experience in high-demand trade fields.
Certificate programs are designed to allow students a pathway to employment after one year of study.
While a 2-year degree or associate degree typically takes two years to complete and offers an in-depth education in a particular trade field.
Learn more about the different types of majors at SUNY.
How to Find the Right Trade Program for You
Important considerations include:
- Your own career goals
- Program flexibility
- Length of time
- Overall cost/return on investment
Ultimately, choosing the right program depends on your interests, career goals, and how you want to learn. SUNY offers a wide variety of hands-on trade programs across the state at an affordable cost. This makes it easier for students to explore options and find a pathway that fits their goals without overpaying for training.
Growing Trade Careers Based on Data from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics
Trade | Growth (2023–33) | | Median Pay |
+11% | $62,350 | |
+6% | $54,000+ | |
+6% | $60,000+ | |
+2% | $51,000 | |
+8% | $47,000 | |
+48% | $50,000–$60,000 | |
+60% | $60,000–$65,000 | |
+5–14% | $35,000–$65,000 | |
+5–6% | $48,000–$55,000 | |
+8% | $60,000+ |
SUNY Allows You to Learn a Trade For Less
SUNY offers nearly 600 programs designed to train students. Programs include hands-on microcredentials, certificates, and 2-year degrees covering the fastest-growing trades. Whether you earn a Solar Electric Technician certificate or a 2-year degree in HVAC Technology, SUNY provides affordable, practical pathways to in-demand careers. In every region of New York State, SUNY offers these at a fraction of the cost compared to other options.
Where Can I Learn More About SUNY’s Trade Programs?
Visit suny.edu/trades to find programs of interest across the state.
