Modern universities can trace their roots to the Platonic Academy. Also called the University of Athens, it was founded by Plato in 387 B.C. in Athens, Greece. The Romans founded the University of Constantinople in A.D. 425. This school combined research and teaching. Many other cultures established similar learning institutions in about the same time period.
Universities offer both undergraduate and post-graduate programs in a variety of subjects. They are frequently divided into colleges and schools specializing in many disciplines. Trade schools specifically address a skill area such as carpentry, auto mechanics or cosmetology.
Universities are usually much larger than trade schools. Many universities have student populations of 10,000 to 25,000 students. Trade schools often enroll 500 to 1,000 students. Class sizes in universities can be much larger than in trade schools.
The cost of a university education is far greater than a trade school. Many university students pay extra to live on campus in dormitories. Students who attend trade schools often live at home and commute to class.
A university education can be applicable in a many settings and prepare you for a wide variety of careers and jobs. You can learn specifics through on-the-job training. A trade school is a shorter-term commitment that allows you quick access to a good-paying job.