Whats the difference between a trade school and college?

You dont get a degree at trade school

Today they usually refer to "trade" school as "vocational" training! A trade/skills based program is referring to a "fast-track" type program to enter into the "hands-on" type professions. Today, almost every profession has these type of programs. In addition to "hand-on" training, they prepared students for "certification and/or licensing". Also, depending on the type of program, for example Computer IT, you may find college graduates attending to rapidly acquire "equivalent experience". It's the quickest way for gaining employment in the shortest amount of time. The focus of college curriculum is not "skills based". I'll try to simplify what college is. Look at it as "finishing school" that takes much longer and you're required to take a broader range of subjects and courses. The vocational school is very focused on just the "skills/technical" aspects of a "trade". Having said that, there are also folks that have been in trade for several years that go back to college to earn their degrees. They are generally looking to either change professions or move into another aspect of their trade/business. Another example, would be the Military, they send their people to training schools based on their specialties. They have the equivalent (if not better vocational schools) than anything you'll find on the outside.

trade schools teach you a "trade", electricians, HVAC, auto mechanics, hair stylists stuff like that. Colleges focus more on academics(english math, science) for a career in professional type jobs like teaching, medicine, law, etc.

At a trade school you learn a specific skill that becomes your profession. In college, half of your education is in topics outside of your major field of study. In some cases, your major field of study do not train or prepare you for a specific job.

Trade schools are generally short term educational facilities such as ITT Tech or cosmetology school where you recieve training in some sort of trade/profession and recieve a certificate or associates degree. There are community colleges where most people go for a more affordable way to get an associate's or bachelor's degree in fine arts or science (A.A. or A.S. or B.A. or B.S.) there are many choices out there for getting a higher education and you can explore the ASSIST.org website for more info on careers and majors. There are other sites out there as well.