Rate your Vocational School: The Top 3 Vocational schools
You’ll find vocational schools scattered throughout every state across the country. Sometimes within your own city you’ll find more options than you can manage. With so many choices, making the right educational decision can become overwhelming. Here are a few specific categories to consider when rating a vocational school.
Cost
For many students, cost is the number one factor in determining where to attend school. It doesn’t make financial sense to go into debt that will take years and years to erase. Tuition rates for vocational schools vary widely. Consider cost per credit hour, tuition, books and housing if applicable.
Accreditation
An appropriately licensed and accredited school means that it has gone through the process to be recognized by the state or national board to determine its validity. You do not want to attend a school that hasn’t been properly accredited because it could mean your degree is worth less to employers.
Instructor/Student Ratio
Smaller classes result in more individual attention while giving students the feeling that they are more than just a number to the instructor. Many vocational schools have a proud reputation built upon the family-like atmosphere that is common in many classes due to small size and caring professors.
Student Services
There’s a lot to learn during your first semester at vocational school, such as the specific computer systems the school uses, student procedures for registering, paying, buying books, etc., and how to use the facilities. A good school offers student support services to guide you whenever you have questions about anything ranging from technology to open library hours. Before enrolling, ensure the school offers plenty of support for students, including career counseling as you near graduation.
Financial Aid
When you attend a state university, you have the option of Federal Student Aid. Vocational schools, however, fall into a different category. Many vocational schools offer different types of grants and loans, so it’s very important to look into exactly what each school can offer in terms of financial support.
Top Three Vocational Schools
Southern Careers Institute
With campuses all over south Texas, SCI aims to please. They pride them selves on creating a curriculum that is job-specific. Students who enroll in SCI can rest assured that they will have a job once they graduate. They offer career counseling services before and after graduation to ensure all students succeed.
Career Training Academy-Pittsburgh
CTA offers training programs for high-demand careers in the healthcare field. They have a campus in Pittsburgh as well as two other cities in Pennsylvania. They provide hands-on training for reasonable tuition rates. One of the biggest benefits for out-of-state students is that they pay the same tuition as Pennsylvania residents.
Northwest Technical Institute
Located in northwest Arkansas, NTI has been producing successful graduates since 1975. They offer diploma programs in Allied Health, Industrial Arts, Computers and Business. NTI offers a variety of opportunity for financial aid, including lifetime eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant. Whether you choose one of the top three schools or not, it’s important to consider a ranking system when making your educational choice. Don’t sell yourself short when it comes to your future.
