Trade School vs College in 2025: Costs, Jobs, ROI, and How to Decide

• DATE: 18 09 25
• BY: Neel Patel

You clicked this because you want a straight answer to a stressful question: is it better to go to trade school or college? You want a solid career, decent money, minimal regret, and you don’t want to waste years-or pile up debt you’ll hate. The honest answer to trade school vs college is: it depends on the job you want, how fast you need to earn, and your tolerance for debt, risk, and working with your hands or behind a screen. I’ll make the trade-offs clear and give you a simple way to decide in under an hour.

• TL;DR: Choose the path that gets you licensed, hired, and earning fastest for the work you’ll still want to do in five years.
• Trades are faster (often 6-24 months school + paid apprenticeship), cheaper up front, and lead to reliable demand. College opens doors to regulated and analytical roles that often need a degree.
• Use three numbers to compare: total cost-to-credential, time-to-first paycheque, and median pay at 1-3 years out.
• Payback rule: if you can recoup education cost in under 3 years with realistic wages, it’s a green light. Over 5 years, think twice.
• Don’t pick either path without checking licensing, local job postings, and real pay data where you live.

What you’re likely trying to do next:

• Get a clear, honest comparison of costs, time, and pay.
• See which types of careers fit each path.
• Run a quick ROI check with your numbers.
• Avoid common traps: debt, dead-end programs, fake job placement claims.
• Walk away with a simple decision framework and a short checklist.

How to decide: costs, time, pay, and risk (with a quick ROI method)

I live in Toronto, and the decision looks different here than in Calgary or New York. That’s why you should use local numbers. Still, the framework travels well. Start with these four factors: what job you want, how fast you need income, how you feel about debt and hands-on work, and what credentials employers demand in your city.

1. Pick the job first, not the school. Search job boards (e.g., Government of Canada Job Bank, Indeed) for your city. Read 20 postings. Note required credentials and pay ranges.
2. Check if the job is regulated or licensed. Examples: electricians (Skilled Trades Ontario 309A), HVAC (TSSA G2/G3 in Ontario), nurses (CNO), engineers (PEO), teachers (OCT), accountants (CPA). Regulated jobs usually require a specific credential-no shortcuts.
3. Estimate the real cost-to-credential. Tuition + fees + books + tools + lost income if you study full-time without pay. Apprenticeships lower this because you earn while training.
4. Estimate time-to-first paycheque. Classroom time + wait for placement/apprenticeship + hiring timeline in your area.
5. Pull median wages from a credible source. Use Job Bank (Canada) or U.S. BLS if you’re comparing across borders. Look at entry-level (0-2 years) and mid-range (3-5 years) pay.
6. Run the Payback test. Payback (years) = Total education cost / (Expected annual net earnings bump vs your current income). Green if < 3 years, yellow 3-5, red if > 5.

Typical 2024-2025 numbers for Ontario (rounded). Sources: Statistics Canada (tuition), Government of Canada Job Bank (wages), Skilled Trades Ontario, Ontario college and university calendars. Local numbers vary. Always verify.

Two notes on the table. First, trade program tuition at public colleges is often $2,500-$4,000 per year for domestic students in Ontario, but tools and safety gear add real cost. Private career colleges can be higher. Second, apprentices earn during most of their training blocks, which often flips the ROI math in their favor even if the top-end salary is similar to some degree paths.

Here’s a quick example using the Payback test. Say you’re choosing between HVAC (trade) and a general business diploma (college). HVAC costs ~$8,000 total + tools and you start earning within 6-12 months, say $24/hr. The business diploma costs ~$12,000-$16,000 and you might start at $20-$24/hr in entry admin roles. If you estimate your total cost and the earnings bump vs your current income, you’ll likely see HVAC pays back faster and gets you earning sooner in Toronto’s market. On the flip side, a BScN for nursing takes longer and costs more, but the license is mandatory and pay is strong and steady-so the risk is lower once you get in.

Credible sources to use before you decide: Statistics Canada (tuition, student debt), Government of Canada Job Bank (wages and outlook by region), Skilled Trades Ontario and Red Seal (licenses), your province’s apprenticeship office, and your college/university program employment reports. If a school won’t show transparent graduate outcomes, consider that a red flag.

When trade school wins vs when college wins (checklists, rules, pitfalls)

Both paths can lead to six-figure years, but the shape of the journey is different. Trades lean practical, steady demand, paid training, and physical work. Degrees lean analytical, regulated professions, and wider role variety, but more upfront time and cost.

Trade school wins when:

• You want a licensed, hands-on career: electrician, plumber, HVAC tech, welder, millwright, automotive service tech.
• You value earning while you learn. Apprenticeships let you build income and experience together.
• You prefer clear skill standards and visible progression (apprentice → journeyperson → contractor/business owner).
• You’re okay with physical work, variable hours, and job sites.

College/university wins when:

• The job is regulated and requires a degree: nursing, teaching, engineering, many healthcare and finance roles.
• You want roles with deep specialization, research, or leadership tracks that usually expect a degree.
• You want the option to pivot across industries (common in business, data, policy).
• You prefer classroom/analytical work and long-term salary growth over immediate pay.

Rules of thumb I use in Toronto:

• If you can’t name three employers hiring your target role in your city right now, pause. The market decides.
• If a program can’t show transparent grad employment within six months, skip it.
• Try-before-you-buy: do a paid co-op, a two-week job shadow, or a pre-apprenticeship. Fit matters more than brochures.
• Debt guardrail: aim for total student loan payments under 8% of your gross monthly pay in your first job.

Trade school checklist (before you apply):

• Confirm your trade is in demand in your region (Job Bank outlook, union halls, local contractors).
• Licensing path mapped: exact tickets/exams (e.g., 309A, 306A, G2) and timelines.
• Apprenticeship sponsor plan: who can hire you? Ask 10 employers if they sponsor.
• Tools and safety budget priced (don’t forget boots, meters, PPE).
• Grants and supports: provincial apprenticeship grants, Canada Apprentice Loan, tax credits, union training funds.
• School credibility: public college or a private career college with strong placement and employer partners.

College/university checklist:

• Degree needed? Verify with the regulator or job postings (e.g., CNO, PEO, CPA, OCT).
• Program outcomes: placement rates, median starting pay, co-op/internship options.
• Admission plan: prerequisites, GPA, deadlines, and realistic backup programs.
• Funding plan: OSAP or your province’s aid, scholarships, part-time work, family support.
• Career runway: what are the first two jobs you can land with this degree, and what do they pay?

Common pitfalls to avoid:

• Picking a program first and the job second. Reverse it.
• Ignoring licensing. If a license is required, there’s no workaround.
• Underestimating tool costs and unpaid time (for trades) or living costs during long study (for degrees).
• Believing “average salary” without region and experience level. Early-career pay is what pays your rent.
• Skipping co-op/internships. They often double your odds of getting hired fast after graduation.

Real talk from my side of town: my neighbor in Scarborough apprenticed as an electrician and was billing at $40/hr within a few years, then went union and leveled up. A friend’s daughter finished a BScN and had two job offers from GTA hospitals before graduation. Another buddy did a generic diploma, graduated into a slow market, and had to reskill into data analysis. The pattern is consistent-when the credential is tightly tied to a job and the market is hot, outcomes are strong.

Pro tips to boost ROI no matter which path you choose:

• Stack credentials with intent. For trades: add energy efficiency, EV charger, or building automation. For degrees: add co-op, a portfolio, and industry certifications (e.g., AWS, CFA Level I, PMP) that match job postings.
• Network quietly but consistently: 5 informational messages a week to people doing the job you want. Ask two questions: How did you get in? What would you do differently?
• Document your work: a photo log for trades, a GitHub/portfolio for tech/design, a case repo for business.

FAQ, scenarios, and your next steps

Quick answers to what people ask me most in 2025:

• Can you make six figures in the trades? Yes. In the GTA, licensed electricians, plumbers, and HVAC techs can cross $100k with overtime, union rates, or self-employment. It’s earned with experience, reliability, and tickets.
• Is a degree still worth it? For regulated roles (nursing, engineering, teaching, CPA), absolutely necessary. For unregulated roles (marketing, some tech), it helps but isn’t the only route-portfolio and co-op can substitute.
• What about AI? AI is pressuring routine desk tasks faster than physical field work. Hands-on trades are relatively insulated; data/tech roles shift but also grow new opportunities. Don’t chase hype-look at local hiring.
• Can I switch later? Yes. Many people do a trade first, then run a business or get a degree part-time. Or they do a degree, then pick up a trade for stability. Just keep an eye on transferable skills and licenses.
• Is trade work too hard on the body? It’s physical. Good habits (lifting, hydration, sleep), the right PPE, and learning to pace yourself matter. Many move into estimating, supervision, or running a crew later.
• How do I compare offers from schools? Ask for: total program cost, schedule, placement rate within 6 months, employer partners, and median starting pay by city. If they can’t show it, that’s your answer.

30-minute decision exercise (works for both paths):

1. Pick 1-2 target jobs and print 10 postings per job.
2. Highlight required credentials, licenses, and skills that repeat.
3. Call or email 3 people doing that job. Ask how they’d start today.
4. Write your Payback math with real numbers from your city.
5. Circle the option with faster time-to-first paycheque and payback < 3 years. That’s your default unless you have a strong reason otherwise.

Next steps if you’re a high school student in Canada:

• Trades: apply for a pre-apprenticeship at a public college, visit a union training centre, and talk to 5 local employers about sponsorship.
• College/university: shortlist 3 programs with co-op, check admission cutoffs, and line up prerequisites now. Apply early for provincial aid (e.g., OSAP in Ontario).
• Either way: spend one day job shadowing. It’s the quickest clarity you’ll get.

Next steps if you’re a career changer (25-45):

• Trades: book a discovery chat with a recruiter at a reputable contractor or union. Ask about realistic timelines to apprentice and the current wage ladder.
• Degree: look at compressed/accelerated programs or part-time with co-op. Confirm your existing credits transfer.
• Budget: cap loans so that first-year payments stay under 8% of expected gross pay. Consider employer tuition help.

Next steps if you’re an international student in Canada:

• Confirm the school and program are eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). Some private programs are not.
• Check licensing for your field-some regulators have extra steps for internationally educated applicants.
• Balance cost with employability: public colleges with strong co-op and employer partners usually place better.

Troubleshooting common roadblocks:

• “I can’t find an apprenticeship sponsor.” Start with a pre-apprenticeship, join trade association events, and knock on doors with a simple one-page resume showing safety certs (WHMIS, Working at Heights). Apply to 30 places; it’s a numbers game.
• “I can’t afford tuition right now.” Look for provincial grants, apprenticeships (earn while you learn), and co-op programs. Consider starting with a shorter certificate to get working, then ladder up.
• “My grades are borderline.” Many colleges offer academic upgrading. For trades, aptitude and attitude matter-show up, show work ethic, and bring references from any hands-on job.
• “My parents want a degree; I want a trade.” Agree on proof: visit employers, get a written apprenticeship offer, and show the wage ladder. Reality beats argument.
• “I’m afraid of picking wrong.” Run a 90-day test: take a short course, do weekend ride-alongs, or build a small project/portfolio. If you hate the daily tasks, that’s data worth having now.

If you’re still split down the middle, use this tie-breaker: choose the option with the shorter time-to-first paycheque and equal or better payback. You can always add school later, but you can’t get back time you burned not earning.

Last note from someone who’s watched friends and neighbors across Toronto go both ways: confidence comes from doing the work a little before you commit a lot. Whether that’s shadowing a journeyperson for a day or interning with a small firm, a week on the ground beats a stack of brochures every time.