In the past, trade schools have been looked down upon compared to other colleges and universities. Trade and vocational schools were viewed as “less than” because the end result was not a 4-year degree.Today, enrollment numbers for trade schools across the country are booming, as colleges and universities have seen a drop in their enrollment numbers.
So what’s with the sudden change? More and more people are steering away from 4+ year schools or leaving their collegiate jobs to pursue a trade, this is due to the many benefits that trade schools have to offer. From course length to job opportunities, trade schools have an abundance of qualities that make them favorable.
When comparing trade schools to universities, trade schools offer shorter programs, cheaper tuition, more frequent start dates and practical training. According to The Education Data Initiative,“The average in-state student attending a public 4-year institution spends $25,707 for one academic year.” That’s $102,828 for 4 years!
Attending any school can pose a financial burden, which raises the question of whether or not trade schools accept financial aid. The Academy of Hair Design is accredited through the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACAS). Being an accredited school allows us to accept financial aid, just like many other schools. We also accept outside loans, scholarships, and military benefits. Because we want to make your road to success as accessible as possible, we offer institutional scholarships and monthly payment plans as well.
AOHD offers five programs; Barbering, Barber Crossover, Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Manicuring, all of which are under $17,000 and can be completed in less than a year. Our Austin campus, BeVelle Barber School, offers two programs; Barbering and Barber CrossOver. Each of these programs are under $16,000 and can also be completed in under a year. Some of our programs can be completed in as little as 4-5 months, which is the equivalent of one semester at a university or other colleges.
Like a traditional university or college, all of our programs can be attended full time or part time and also have the option for evening classes. Our full time classes begin every six weeks and part time classes every 12 weeks. More frequent start dates give the opportunity to begin classes at a time that is convenient, rather than the typical January or August that most schools offer.
In all of our programs, students will receive hands-on, real world experience training. While in school, our students are able to perform services on real clients with their student license and under the supervision of an instructor. Practical training provides career readiness and allows the potential to begin working in the field right after graduating.
We want our students to feel knowledgeable and confident in their skills, but that isn’t the only aspect of the industry that they will learn. In addition to the practical training, students will also receive education in the theory portion of the industry, as well as the business aspect. Many students attend school with the dream of owning their own business or working for themselves, but few people understand what that entails. We strive to ensure that our students know how to and have the tools to market themselves/their brand, build a social media presence, up-sell services and products, and build a clientele. Through lectures, activities, projects and reading, students are provided the knowledge needed to ace their licensing exam upon graduating and become a successful industry professional.
We want to increase awareness of trade schools worldwide, not only as an alternative to universities but to students who do not see post secondary education as an option. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, only 63% of students who graduated high school in 2022 had enrolled in college. Whether it’s due to financial support/stability, familial situations, or number of hours/years required, there is a large population of high school graduates who do not enroll in college. We want to be a solution for these students. By offering education that is more affordable, more practical and less time consuming, we are providing a path to success that was not traditionally accepted.
The abundance of benefits that come with attending a trade school has helped make non traditional schooling and education more acceptable. Cost, program length, schedules and job training are just a few of the many reasons that trade schools have become so popular. Academy of Hair Design/BeVelle Barber school are committed to helping people achieve their goals and find their passion. If you are looking for a career change, or a new career in general, we can help you get there in less than a year!