Types of Schools

Vocational Training Colleges
Vocational training colleges are privately owned and operated schools that offer a wide variety of training options in areas such as cosmetology, mechanical repair, court reporting, paralegal services, travel services, secretarial, and medical assistance. Typical Academic Preparation vocational courses are short, lasting from five to 12 months. However, some training programs (such as court reporting) can take up to two to three years to complete. The main appeal of these schools are their concentrated curriculum, job-training focus, and short course length.

Technical Colleges
Technical colleges offer several different types of programs including Associate degrees, Technical Diplomas, Apprenticeships and Certificates. Associate degree programs are typically designed to prepare people for a technical occupation and include occupational, general education and elective courses. Examples include: accounting, dental hygienist, computer programmer/analyst. Technical diploma programs are often offered to meet the needs of businesses and industry to assist employees in meeting certification requirements for their job. Examples include: automotive maintenance, accounting assistant, pharmacy technician. Apprenticeship are offered for those people interested in working in an industrial or service trade. The applicant enters into an agreement with an employer in which the employer assumes the responsibility of teaching the trade to the apprentice. Examples include: carpentry, machinist, millwright. Certificate programs show that a particular person has completed coursework in a focused area of study. Examples include: advanced organizational leadership, customer service, landscape specialist.

Colleges and Universities
Two-year community/junior colleges provide the opportunity to get your feet wet before jumping in to the four-year college arena. Community colleges generally offer two-year studies with an associates degree conferred upon completion. The courses are designed to transfer to four-year colleges, should you decide to pursue your higher education. Also, like vocational schools, community colleges often offer specialized job training in certain areas. These studies are designed to prepare you for the work force as soon as you complete your training.

Four-year colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees and a much wider variety of studies and curriculum to choose from. Many also offer graduate studies (studies after a bachelor's degree is completed) with opportunities to earn a master's degree, doctorate, or professional degree (such as a medical doctor). The curriculum is much broader than a two-year school and is designed to accommodate a variety of interests (unless you are going to a college that specializes in a certain area of study, such as music).

Public colleges and universities are subsidized by the states they are located in and are generally less expensive than private colleges. However, the cheapest rates go to residents of the state in which the college is located. Out-of-staters usually pay much higher fees.

Private colleges, on the other hand, are funded through endowments, tuition, and donations. They usually cost a lot more, but don't rule them out! Private colleges can often offer enough financial aid to make them financially feasible for your budget.