Is it still worth the time and money to go to a four year institution or is attending a vocational or technical school better where skill is emphasized over liberal arts? On the other hand, even if a vocational or technical school will equip your specific skill set, is it more beneficial to have a bachelor’s degree under your belt?

According to the 2008-2009 Occupational Outlook Handbook, eight out of the twenty fastest growing professions require less than a four year degree including professions in healthcare and technology. Education experts differ in opinion on the way education should be set up in order for students to be able to compete in the future economy. However, whichever side you agree with, most believe that some type of change must occur to cut wasted time and money in college courses that are either repetitive or not sharpening a student’s marketable skill set.

New Workforce Training…. Online colleges like Kaplan University offer vocational and technical training as well as bachelor’s degree programs. The university has an 82% workforce placement rate and the other 18% of students continue on with school. They have reported that very few students have trouble finding employment in their field.

Marc Sheer, author of No Sucker Left Behind: Avoiding the Great College Rip-Off, is an advocate for the community college and vocational and technical colleges and believes that these educational models are beneficial because they offer focused coursework where students learn solid skill set. He states, “Some of the best instruction is occurring at community colleges and vocational and technical colleges. If you’re going to spend money and not work [while in school], you should focus on skills you need to learn.”

The Future of the Four Year Institution… Many education experts like Robert Zemsky, chair of The Learning Alliance at the University of Pennsylvania, believe that the standing of the four year institution will not change. When asked if he felt that trade schools were becoming more respected, Zemsky stated, “Change doesn’t happen very rapidly in higher education.”  Zemsky presents an unconventional and progressive new model of education in his book, Transforming American Higher Education. The book outlines a plan to change many of the inefficiencies of traditional universities that students usually avoid when choosing the trade school option. Zemsky presents a plan for universities to convert to a three year baccalaureate degrees that are more group based and offer courses in a prescribed sequence. Theoretically, his model ensures that students build on their prior knowledge while reducing time spent in foundational courses that aren’t as challenging or relevant to the student’s future career. This would then strengthen the major while continuing to ensure the student the well-roundness that is valued of a university education.

So how do you choose…? Sheer points out that the critical point to choose between a university and a trade school is going to be your marketability in the workforce and discovering that requires research on your part. Sheer states, “Very carefully consider cost and benefits – time, cost, debt and what your employment prospects are going to be like when you finish. You want to find out what employers think. Call some companies, search job listings to see what degree is required. And sometimes experience might be better than education.”

Take a look below at the comparison of the average annual salaries for two year degrees versus four year degrees in certain careers…

Job: Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Pay Difference
Graphic Designer: $45,136,  $47,709,  $2,573
Computer Technician: $44,237, $44,462, $2,573
Accountant: $43,443, $49,708, $225
Auto Service Technician: $41,491, $41,491, $0
Account Executive: $55,077, $61,462, $6,385