Better Trades Schools: Alternatives to Universities

Vocational or career schools offer a variety of specialized courses geared toward particular trades. Many of these courses have a technical or scientific element involved. Many of the students who attend are adults who are working, but seek additional job training or skills for a new job search.

Many alternatives to universities conduct their classes on the Internet. This distance learning option makes it convenient for students who don't live near a school or who can't attend an actual classroom setting. The online setting

Some of the most well-known alternatives to universities and colleges are:

• Kaplan University: More than 100 degrees are offered through this online university.
• University of Phoenix: A highly ranked online university that offers associates, bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees through its innovative curriculum.
• DeVry University: The long-standing company specializes in degrees in high-growth industries.
• American InterContinental University: Convenient classes are offered in a variety of degrees and specialty fields, leading to a degree.
• Westwood College: High-quality course offerings lead to degrees geared toward career advancement.

There are additional options available, too. Some students opt for career training, which can mean attending a vocational or technical school. Other students choose to enlist in the military, which can offer technically specialized training and pay for education after being discharged.

A more common option these days is the decision to take a "gap" year, which can be used for many purposes: to travel and study abroad, to work and make money to pay for an education, or to better decide what to study at school. All are alternatives to universities and traditional education.