Trade School or College: What’s the Better Choice for Women?

Here’s a wild stat: women make up just 4% of plumbers, electricians, and mechanics in the U.S. as of 2024. Yet those same jobs pay well, are always needed, and companies are actively aiming to hire more women. Trade school is suddenly on people’s radar, while college—traditionally seen as the default option—is being questioned for its cost and uncertain payoff.

So what actually makes more sense for women thinking about their career path? Do you stick to the 4-year college playbook, or do you skip the essays and exams and head straight to hands-on training for a job that’s hiring right now? These are real choices people like my kid Rohan will wrestle with, and let’s face it, the world’s changing fast.

If you’re looking for practical info to help decide, you’ll want to know which options lead to quick jobs, what the pay really looks like, and how each path fits your lifestyle (or that of your family). Let’s get specific—not just with examples, but with honest pros and cons you won’t hear from brochures or TV ads.

• The Current Landscape: Why This Decision Matters
• Trade School: Fast Track to In-Demand Skills
• College: The Classic Route and Its Realities
• Cost, Time, and Earning Potential
• Women Breaking Barriers in Trades
• Tips for Making the Best Choice

The Current Landscape: Why This Decision Matters

Everyone talks about college as if it’s a must, but that’s changing. Right now, around 44 million people in the U.S. are stuck with student loans. The average college grad can owe over $37,000 before they even start working. No wonder it’s got people thinking twice, especially with all kinds of jobs begging for trained workers that don’t need a four-year degree.

To give you an idea, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that jobs in skilled trades—think electricians, HVAC techs, dental hygienists, and welders—are growing as fast or faster than some jobs that need a bachelor’s degree. Some trade careers even have a higher starting salary right after graduation than entry-level office gigs for college grads.

When it comes to women, there’s an even bigger gap. Women only make up about 11% of the total skilled trades workforce (BLS, 2023), and lots of companies want to hire more women, not just to mix things up, but because there’s a real shortage and the pay is good. Plus, trades offer a way around the mountain of debt that comes with college.

"The skilled trades are one of America’s best-kept secrets for building wealth with much lower cost and years less time than a traditional four-year degree," says Mike Rowe, TV host and advocate for trades education.

At the same time, college still opens doors in certain fields—medicine, law, engineering. Some people want that ‘classic’ campus experience, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all choice. But with rising costs and jobs changing fast, more women are taking a hard look at both paths, weighing real-life pros and cons instead of just following the old script.

This decision isn't just about today—it's about setting up your future, paying your bills, and maybe making space for a family or side hustle down the road. That’s why figuring out if trade school or college lines up with your goals is honestly more important than ever.

Trade School: Fast Track to In-Demand Skills

Trade schools are all about getting you straight into a job, fast. Most programs last one to two years, and you’re out working—no four years of essays and tests, no random general classes you’ll never use. Electricians, welders, medical assistants, HVAC techs, and mechanics are just a few of the jobs you can train for at a trade school. These aren’t old-school jobs just for men anymore. Hospitals, car shops, and building companies across the country are hiring women, and women in trades are proving they're just as skilled (and sometimes better) than their male coworkers.

Here’s something real: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that demand for some skilled trades—like electricians and HVAC techs—will grow between 6% to 9% from now through 2032. Plumbers and welders aren’t far behind. Meanwhile, there’s a worker shortage because so many folks are retiring, and there aren’t enough young people filling spots.

Let’s break down just how much time and money you’re looking at with trade school versus college:

Notice something? You get to work quicker with much less debt. Some community colleges even run trade programs, especially for healthcare jobs like dental hygiene or sonography, where demand is huge for women right now. Welding, electrical work, and construction are now more open than ever, with companies offering scholarships just for women who want to break into these fields.

• Programs often include paid internships (called apprenticeships), so you earn while you learn.
• Trade school schedules are usually more flexible, a big plus for parents.
• Certifications matter more than degrees in these jobs—employers want proof you can do the work, not just that you took classes.

Organizations like Women Who Weld and the National Association of Women in Construction are constantly looking for female students, offering support, networking, and job leads. If you want a job right after training, trade school could be your ticket there, and it’s not just talk—there’s real money and opportunity waiting.

College: The Classic Route and Its Realities

The word "college" brings up images of dorm rooms, study groups, and maybe even the big graduation ceremony at the end. For years, college has felt like the most obvious next step after high school, especially for women aiming at professional jobs in fields like healthcare, education, and business. There’s a reason for that: many careers still expect a bachelor’s degree as the base requirement.

But a diploma these days comes with a hefty price tag. The average cost of tuition and fees for one year at a four-year public university in the U.S. sits around $11,500, while private colleges average about $43,000 per year. That doesn’t even cover books, housing, or food. Check out how the numbers really stack up:

That’s a lot of cash—and this is before you think about living expenses or taking a year longer to finish (which is pretty common). Most students end up with loans, and the average graduate walks away owing around $37,000, based on data from 2023.

On the flip side, college can open a lot of doors. Many professional roles in law, teaching, engineering, and science won’t even look at your resume if you don’t have that degree. There’s also networking, the chance to try out clubs or internships, and access to support services that can make a difference, especially for women entering male-dominated majors.

• Colleges often run mentoring groups or women's centers to help with career planning.
• Internships and campus jobs sometimes turn into full-time offers after graduation.
• The lifetime median earnings for a person with a bachelor’s degree are about $1.2 million higher than for someone with only a high school diploma, according to Georgetown University’s 2022 study.

Still, the payoff isn’t always guaranteed. Some degrees don’t have a clear job waiting at the end, and certain fields just aren’t hiring as fast as they used to. If you pick a major because someone says “it’ll be useful later,” double-check if that’s actually true right now and if it lines up with what you want. It’s easy to get caught up in what you’re “supposed” to do, but it’s smarter to focus on what’s going to move you forward.

So while college has its perks, it’s not automatically the safest or best bet anymore. It pays to compare your options and get real about what the next four (or more) years will really cost and deliver.

Cost, Time, and Earning Potential

Here’s where things get real fast: the price tag to become a licensed electrician or HVAC technician runs about $5,000 to $15,000 for a trade school program in most states. Compare that to college, where the average bachelor’s degree in the U.S. costs over $30,000 a year at a four-year public university if you add up tuition, fees, and living costs—multiply that by four and well, it adds up quick. It’s not just about the sticker price, though. Time matters too. Trade school usually takes one to two years, while college steals away four (or sometimes more) of your life.

It’s easy to lose track of how those numbers play out in the real world, so check this out:

Even if you land that fresh-out-of-college office job, it’s wild how close college and trade school salaries really are at the starting line. What trips up a lot of folks is student loan debt—a huge chunk of college grads start working life with $30,000 or more to pay off, while most trade school grads either have very little debt or none at all. That opens up choices: maybe rent your own place faster, save for travel, or just stress less.

The other big thing? Trade school grads start earning money sooner, sometimes two or three years before their college counterparts even collect a diploma. More years working equals more years stacking up cash—something that really matters if you’re thinking about supporting a family or building your own business.

One thing to look at is the difference in unemployment rates. As of 2024, trade jobs like plumbing and welding have more openings than workers, with a shortage in nearly every state. For women looking at trade school, the doors are pretty wide open right now if you’re ready to grab the opportunity.

Women Breaking Barriers in Trades

There’s an obvious gap in the skilled trades, but it’s finally starting to close as more women show that these careers aren’t just for men. Big companies and local unions are actively recruiting women, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because they need workers desperately. In fact, the Associated General Contractors of America reported in 2024 that job openings in construction and electrical work outnumbered available workers by about 20%.

Women are now electricians, plumbers, welders, and even auto mechanics. The American Welding Society noted female membership rose by 30% in the last three years. Tech and energy companies are offering special mentorships and training programs just for women to make starting out less intimidating. It’s not just blue-collar work, either—solar energy, wind technology, HVAC, and medical tech all need skilled people, and pay isn’t capped by gender.

Here’s a quick snapshot showing how women are moving into skilled trades jobs in the U.S. (2022-2024):

Moving into these jobs isn’t just about breaking stereotypes—it might also make more financial sense. For example, the median pay for a female electrician was over $60,000 in 2024, and welding jobs can hit $55,000 or more after just a short training program. The thing is, companies want to close the gender gap, so women often qualify for extra scholarships, grants, and even paid apprenticeships that give a leg up at the start.

• Check out programs made for women: Nonprofits like Women Who Weld and NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) offer free or discounted classes, networking, and support.
• Use mentorships: A ton of unions and companies have mentors ready to show the ropes and make the transition into trades smoother.
• Lean into high-demand industries: Solar panel installation, HVAC, and medical tech are all short on trained workers and don’t require a four-year degree.

Going to trade school or into an apprenticeship can open doors. It’s not a fallback—it’s a real, solid way to score a job where women can grow, earn, and change the game.

Tips for Making the Best Choice

Ready to really zero in on what works for you? Here’s some straightforward advice to help you choose between trade school and college, especially if you’re looking for something that’s practical, reliable, and fits your actual life.

• Think about your end-game. Do you want a job that’s in demand right after training? Or are you aiming for something that needs a college degree—like teaching, social work, or becoming a doctor? Looking up job boards (like Indeed or the Bureau of Labor Statistics website) can give you a no-nonsense idea of what employers need right now.
• Compare the time and money invested. Trade schools usually take 6 months to 2 years. Colleges? You’re looking at 4 years, sometimes more. In 2023, the average cost of a 4-year public college hit $28,000 per year (including room and board). Most trade programs cost a fraction of that—often $5,000 to $15,000 total.
• Consider flexibility and life outside of school. Got kids, like me? Trade schools often have evening or weekend programs. Colleges have gotten better with online options, but on-campus schedules can still be tough, especially for parents.
• Check out support for women. Many trades now offer free mentorships, scholarships, and ‘women-only’ intro courses. Some unions and employers are actively recruiting women, with special sign-on bonuses or tools provided.
• Try before you decide. Look for summer programs, open houses, and free workshops. Community colleges offer short intro courses that let you get your hands dirty before signing up for a full program.

*Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and NACE 2024 reports.

No path is perfect for everyone, but your decision should feel right for your budget, your goals, and your life outside class. Do your homework, take a good look at what’s out there, and don’t get boxed in by old stereotypes. If something feels off about one path, you’re never stuck—there’s always a way to switch or build on what you’ve learned already.