Trade school vs. college. The debate isn’t going anywhere.
Ask 10 people if young adults should go to college or pick up a trade, and you’ll get 10 different answers—and probably an argument.
This topic recently blew up in an HVAC Facebook group with over 340 honest comments. People in the trades didn’t hold back, and neither did those defending the college route.
🤔 Here’s why the question hits so hard:
- The price of college is higher than ever, and so is student debt
- The trades are short on workers, but full of opportunity (for the right person)
- Some people in HVAC are clearing $100K+ in a few years—without a degree
- Others argue college still opens more doors in the long run, especially in tech and healthcare
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but understanding both paths, and hearing from real people who’ve lived them, is a good place to start.
The Money Talk: Who’s Really Winning?
Let’s start with the one thing everyone brings up first—money.
A lot of people in the trades will tell you straight up: if you’re not making six figures, you’re doing it wrong. The mindset is aggressive, but it reflects how much earning potential there really is, especially in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and similar trades.
Plenty of others chimed in with similar stories, clearing $100K with no degree, some with side work, and some by simply moving to higher-paying markets. For those willing to grind, the path is there.
Meanwhile, college grads are often facing a very different financial picture. After spending 4–6 years in school and racking up $100K–$200K in debt, they’re landing jobs that don’t always pay what they expected.
That’s not to say college is worthless, far from it. Fields like cybersecurity, nursing, engineering, and data science can absolutely lead to high-paying careers. But the payoff often comes later, and the path can be slower and riskier, especially for those who graduate with general degrees or no clear job plan.
Bottom line? Trades can pay off fast, but you’ll work for it. College can pay off too, but it takes longer and depends heavily on the field you choose.
The Debt Trap
This is one of the biggest arguments in favor of the trades, the cost of entry is dramatically lower.
Trade school might run you $5K–$20K total. In some cases, companies will even pay to train you. Meanwhile, a traditional four-year college can leave students with $100K–$200K in loans before they even land their first job.
The numbers speak for themselves. And that’s not even counting interest over time. For many people in the trades, the ability to start earning money almost immediately is a huge win.
💰 Here’s how the costs typically stack up:
- Trade School: $5K–$20K (sometimes covered by employers)
- Community College: $10K–$25K (2 years, lower debt)
- Public University: $25K–$100K+ (depending on in-state or out-of-state)
- Private University: $100K–$250K+ (including living expenses)
But not everyone sees college as a trap. Plenty of defenders say it’s still a smart investment, if you know what you’re doing:
- Choose a high-demand major (STEM, healthcare, trades-related management)
- Avoid expensive private schools without financial aid
- Apply for scholarships and grants aggressively
- Have a clear post-graduation plan
Still, even those in favor of college tend to agree on one thing:
If you don’t have a clear plan, that debt can bury you.
Whether it’s college or trade school, the message is simple: be strategic. Know what you’re getting into, what the payoff looks like, and how long it’ll take to get there.
Union Power and Pay Ceilings
If avoiding debt is a major win for trade school, the next big advantage is this: you can start earning solid money quickly, especially if you join a union.
For many in the trades, joining a union is the fastest path to higher wages, better benefits, and job security.
Union work often includes:
- Guaranteed pay rates and scheduled raises
- Stronger benefits packages (health, retirement, etc.)
- Legal protection and clear job classifications
- Access to large-scale commercial projects
But here’s the catch: not everyone can get in. Entry can be competitive, based on availability, experience, or connections. And once you’re in, moving up the pay scale can still take years.
In some regions, non-union work can actually pay more, especially for those who hustle, take side work, or move into sales or ownership. But non-union routes often come with:
- Less stability and fewer benefits
- Inconsistent pay rates
- A heavier reliance on personal drive and negotiation
So while union jobs can offer a smoother, more secure path, they’re not a guaranteed golden ticket. And for those outside the union system, the trade-off is usually freedom vs. structure, risk vs. reliability.
Physical Labor vs. Desk Life
One of the biggest differences between trade work and degree-based careers is how the work feels, literally.
Trades offer the freedom to move, build, and work with your hands. For many people, that’s a huge draw. They don’t want to sit at a desk all day or spend their lives staring at spreadsheets.
But the toll on your body is real. Long days on your feet, lifting heavy equipment, and working in extreme heat or cold can wear you down, especially after years on the job.
Compare that to college-educated office jobs, which often come with:
- Climate-controlled comfort
- Lower physical stress
- More predictable schedules (in theory)
- Greater long-term scalability in leadership or corporate roles
Still, not everyone thrives in a desk job. For some, the physical nature of the trades makes the work more satisfying and engaging. For others, it’s a path to burnout if the pay or pace doesn’t match the effort.
It comes down to what you value more: movement or comfort, variety or structure.
What About AI and the Future?
As automation and artificial intelligence continue to advance, this question is becoming harder to ignore: which careers are future-proof?
Supporters of the college route often point to fields like cybersecurity, data analytics, and programming, industries that are building and managing the AI, not being replaced by it.
The idea is that with the right degree, you can ride the wave of technology instead of getting swept under it.
But many in the trades push back hard on that. They argue that hands-on jobs, like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work, can’t be automated so easily. Fixing a furnace, running ductwork, or rewiring a house requires physical presence, adaptability, and real-time decision-making.
While some parts of trade work may get more automated or tech-assisted, the core labor is still human for the foreseeable future. That makes it a safer bet for those worried about being replaced by machines.
So the question isn’t just about what pays more now—it’s also about what will still exist 10, 20, or 30 years from now.
Mindset > Path
Whether you choose college or a trade, your mindset matters more than the path itself. That was one of the few things people seem to agree on.
Plenty of commenters pointed out that success isn’t about the degree or the toolbelt. It’s about showing up, learning constantly, and pushing through the hard parts.
You can:
- Go to college and still struggle if you don’t apply yourself
- Skip college and thrive in the trades—if you work hard and stay consistent
- Burn out in either path if you chase the money but hate the work
- Win in either path if you stay focused, self-motivated, and open to growth
The reality is, there’s no guaranteed outcome on either side. One person might make six figures in their second year; another might quit after a few months because it’s too demanding or they had unrealistic expectations.
Before choosing a direction, ask yourself:
- Do I like solving problems with my hands or on a screen?
- Am I okay starting small and building over time?
- Can I commit to a path and put in the work, regardless of the trend?
Because in the end, grit beats credentials.
The Real Question: What’s Right for You?
At the end of the day, this isn’t about which side wins—it’s about what works for you.
Too many people treat trade school like a fallback plan. It’s not. For the right person, it’s a smart, strategic move with high earning potential and long-term stability.
Trade school is NOT a fallback, it’s a legit first choice.
On the flip side, calling college a scam across the board isn’t accurate either. Degrees in nursing, engineering, IT, and finance still open doors that the trades can’t.
College isn’t a scam, it’s just not for everyone.
If you’re trying to decide, focus less on what’s trending and more on what fits you best:
- What kind of work do you actually enjoy doing?
- Do you want to build things—or build systems?
- Are you willing to take on debt for longer-term opportunities?
- Or would you rather start earning sooner and learn as you go?
This isn’t about pride, pressure, or proving someone wrong. It’s about setting yourself up for a future you’ll actually want to live.
The Truth Is in the Grind
Whether you choose college or the trades, one thing stays the same: success takes work.
There’s no shortcut. No guaranteed outcome. And definitely no “easy” path. Both routes demand effort, sacrifice, and a clear plan.
🧰 Trade school offers speed, hands-on experience, and a direct path to real income.
📚 College can offer broader career options, but often comes with debt and delay.
The real problem? Too many people push one-size-fits-all advice. What worked for them may not work for you.
So block out the noise. Look at the facts. And choose the path that lines up with your strengths, goals, and values.
