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Trade school vs degree calculator

Two routes, thirty years.

Built and reviewed by Dovanic, Founder and editor, FreeByteLast reviewed: 2026-08-18
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Degree ahead

$134,000

Degree lifetime net

$1,688,000

With these inputs, degree ahead comes to $134,000 over 30 years. Degree lifetime net works out to $1,688,000.

Trade lifetime net
$1,554,000
Break-even year
5.5

Over time · by years compared

What moves the number · Degree ahead

Input−10%Now+10%
Degree cost$142,000$134,000$126,000
Degree salary$42,800$134,000$310,800
Trade training cost$132,600$134,000$135,400
Trade salary$290,800$134,000$22,800
Years compared$98,000$134,000$170,000

Solve for an input

Whatmakesequal

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Save this set of inputs, change something, then save again to compare the outcomes side by side.

Two routes, thirty years.

A worked example

Starting figures

Degree cost
$80,000
Degree salary
$68,000
Trade training cost
$14,000
Trade salary
$56,000
Years compared
30

What it returns

Degree ahead
$134,000
Degree lifetime net
$1,688,000
Trade lifetime net
$1,554,000
Break-even year
5.5

How to read the results

With the defaults above, degree ahead works out at $134,000.

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