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Sarah Dugas
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3 Reasons to Choose a Non-Traditional School

Just look at the numbers and you’ll see that enrollment in non-traditional, or vocational, schools has increased exponentially in the last 15 to 20 years. The most recent data, reported by the U.S. Department of Education, showed 9.66 million students attending trade schools in 1999, compared to the 16 million that were enrolled in 2014– an increase of nearly 67%. These numbers are much more significant than the 28% increase of students enrolled in four-year college over the same amount of time.

More numbers can explain the resurgence of popularity with non-traditional education. Between 1988 and 2018, the cost of a four-year college increased by 213% at public schools and 129% at private schools. The astronomical leap in tuition and fees doesn’t necessarily result in a better outcome for graduates, either. Unemployment rates among young college graduates have grown from 4.3% in 2000 to 5.6% in 2017, and according to Pew Research Center, 4 in 10 adults under the age of 30 have student loan debt. 

Obviously, cost effectiveness is one of the leading reasons to attend a non-traditional school, like Compass Career College. However, there are a multitude of reasons why Millennials (and now, Gen-Z) are turning to non-traditional education, other than increasing cost. We’ll break those down for you below:

Easier Admission Requirements

Not everyone is cut out for the more traditional aspects of student life. Maybe lectures, note-taking, and studying isn’t your thing. Or, perhaps your ACT/SAT scores didn’t make the cut for the college of your choice. You could even be a working professional with a family, who is looking for a career change and a flexible schedule to go along with it. 

The good thing about vocational schools, like CCC, is the admission process isn’t as taxing as four-year universities. No rigorous requirements, such as letters of recommendation or personal essays, are needed— just a photo ID, social security card, copy of your High School Diploma or G.E.D, academic transcript, and vaccination records.

Hands-On Training 

Non-traditional schools emphasize career-focused, hands-on training in a certain trade or technical skill. In contrast, the focal point of four-year colleges tend to be more theoretical as opposed to practical. Because of these differences, students of traditional universities are typically less prepared to enter the workforce than students with specialized training. 

At many vocational schools, you’ll find an on-site experiential component, such as Compass Career College’s salon, for example. Sure, students can expect lectures and other elements of traditional education, but there’s also ample opportunity to get your hands dirty when learning new techniques, practices, and methods.

Higher Employment Rates

The courses at CCC revolve around economic sectors, such as welding and allied healthcare, that are in high demand within various job markets across the United States. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the healthcare field will expand by 18% between 2016 and 2026. Of course, this is only one example of how our offerings are preferable to prospective students.

Students of non-traditional schools are normally trained for positions that are more difficult to outsource or automate, such as cosmetology and practical nursing, giving them greater job security in the national market as well. Ultimately, it will make you a more valuable candidate for the jobs that need to be filled in today’s modern economy.

There are a lot of factors that can make attending a traditional four-year college seem like an impossible feat. A full-time job, children, money...but at the end of the day, if you’re determined to make it work, you will. One of the ways you can attain a fulfilling career on a certain time-frame and budget is through a non-traditional education. Check out our 2019-2020 course offerings at http://compasscareercollege.net/. 

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