The numbers, in one place
Trade school vs college statistics, 2026
Writing about the trades-vs-college shift? These are the numbers, each with its source. Cite freely with attribution; citation formats are at the bottom.
Compiled by Brad Zemke, third-generation tradesman. Last updated 2026-10-10. Wage data: BLS OEWS May 2025. Each stat has a stable anchor (link the id, e.g. #student-debt). Model methodology documented here.
The headline numbers
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$37,850
Average student loan debt at bachelor's graduation for borrowers. Compiled from 2026 federal student aid reporting.
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6.39%
Federal Direct Loan interest rate for undergraduates, 2025-26 award year. U.S. Department of Education.
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$109,910
Median annual wage for elevator installers and repairers, the highest-paid trade we track. No bachelor's degree required. BLS OEWS May 2025.
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2x
Trade school enrollment roughly doubled from about 4.2 million (2010) to about 8.4 million (2025), while 4-year college enrollment fell from about 21 million toward 19.3 million. Enrollment trend as reported in 2025 workforce-education coverage; compiled July 2026.
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42%
Share of Gen Z respondents saying they are turning toward blue-collar work, citing student debt avoidance and AI-resistance of hands-on jobs. 2025 survey reporting; compiled July 2026.
10-year ROI by trade: our model, national data
Cumulative net earnings after 10 years (earnings minus training costs and loan interest) for each trade's national median path versus the average bachelor's path ($321,441 at 10 years). Full assumptions on the methodology page.
| Trade | Median wage | 10-yr net (trade) | Edge vs college |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator Installer | $109,910 ($52.84/hr) | $1,022,324 | $700,882 |
| Lineworker | $95,320 ($45.83/hr) | $881,720 | $560,279 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $79,870 ($38.40/hr) | $767,285 | $445,844 |
| Wind Turbine Technician | $64,120 ($30.83/hr) | $628,126 | $306,685 |
| Plumber | $63,800 ($30.67/hr) | $599,750 | $278,309 |
| CDL Truck Driver | $58,640 ($28.19/hr) | $596,496 | $275,055 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $61,770 ($29.70/hr) | $596,038 | $274,597 |
| HVAC Technician | $61,010 ($29.33/hr) | $595,594 | $274,153 |
| Electrician | $63,190 ($30.38/hr) | $593,232 | $271,790 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $59,850 ($28.77/hr) | $580,253 | $258,811 |
| Carpenter | $60,580 ($29.13/hr) | $578,778 | $257,337 |
| Welder | $53,750 ($25.84/hr) | $529,208 | $207,766 |
| Auto Mechanic | $50,620 ($24.34/hr) | $503,448 | $182,007 |
Cost to enter, side by side
Trade path
Typical training cost $2,000-$12,000 depending on trade (union apprenticeships often near zero), paid work from year one, no degree required. Per-trade costs on the methodology page.
College path
About $15,000/year tuition and fees (blended average of published prices), four years out of the workforce, $37,850 average debt at graduation for borrowers.
Cite this page
APA
Zemke, B. (2026). Trade school vs college statistics. College vs Trades. Retrieved 2026-10-10, from https://collegevstrades.com/statistics MLA
Zemke, Brad. "Trade School vs College Statistics." College vs Trades, 2026, https://collegevstrades.com/statistics. Get the trade pay report for your state
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