Most public colleges offer associate's degree programs, which serve as a good gateway for students pursuing a four-year bachelor's degree. Associate's degrees allow students continuing their education to finish at a university with usually two additional years of schooling. Public colleges also offer four-year degree programs, providing students with a wide variety of courses to choose from. Programs offered include courses in humanities, social sciences, science, as well as management and accounting.
Generally, private vocational schools do not offer associate degree courses since their fields of study concentrate on teaching specific technical skills. Courses usually last for two years, but some programs can be completed within nine months. An example of a nine-month program is the Licensed Vocational Nurse, which grants a certificate so that students who complete this course may be able to work in hospitals as a nurse's assistant. Vocational colleges offer courses related to information technology, accounting and clerical jobs, health care, as well as technical courses, such as welding, automotive and basic electricity.
Some public schools -- such as community colleges -- and many vocational schools offer two-year degree programs. These shorter programs work well with students in a hurry to join the workforce. Vocational schools are one step ahead of public schools in this domain as some programs can even completed in as little time as nine months.
The advantage of a public or a vocational school depends on the student's main reason for enrolling. If a person intends to finish a four-year college degree, it may be better for the student to enroll in a public school that offers a bachelor's degree or take an associate's degree that gives them the option to continue further studies to earn a bachelor's degree. On the other hand, if a person intends to work right away, or has a very specific interest in fields that pertain to vocational schools, then a vocational college can be a more efficient way to gain a strong footing in the preferred field.
The costs associated with each type of program vary wildly. Vocational schools range from as low as $8,000 to as high as $15,000 for most programs; public universities have a tuition close to $10,000 per year; and community colleges have the lowest "per year" cost at roughly $2,000 to $2,500. The road most suitable usually depends on your preferred field. However, if your field is more broad, such as IT, then weighing several options is necessary. These include your budget, desired schooling-time, and estimated competition in the job market.