Indiana Colleges

Trade Schools & Proprietary Colleges

An increasing number of trade and proprietary schools are offering post-high school training in fields like medical technology, massage therapy, computer technology, cosmetology and more. These schools often focus on more technical areas, usually with the intent of preparing a student for a particular trade, industry or profession. These programs can offer helpful alternatives to longer academic programs for students who have a specific focus and who want to complete a program in their area of interest as quickly as possible.

But keep in mind because these institutions are typically for profit, they are not regulated the same way as other colleges. Also, many do not participate in federal and state financial aid programs. If you plan to explore schools of this kind, be sure to ask the following questions:

• Is the school accredited by any regional or national organizations?



• How long has the school been in business?



• How long is the program you are interested in and how much does it cost?



• What kind of financial aid, if any, do they offer?



• How many students are enrolled and how many finish the program (and do so on time)?



• How many of their graduates are employed within a few months of finishing the program?



• What do they do to help their graduates find jobs?

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