Not a 4-Year Degree? Skilled Trades That Pay Well Without a Bachelor’s

Graduation season comes with a lot of pressure. Pick a school. Pick a major. Pick a plan. Preferably by Tuesday. 

But a bachelor’s degree is not the only smart move after high school. For many recent graduates and adults already in the workforce, a skilled trade offers something practical: focused training, solid pay, and a faster path to work.  

If you are looking for jobs that don’t require a four-year degree, this is a smart place to start. 

Welding, CNC machining, CDL truck driving, and HVAC all lead to careers that keep things moving, built, shipped, repaired, and running. At Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC), you can choose the path that fits: college credit or non-credit Continuing Education training. 

Fast Training Careers at a Glance 

Skilled Trades That Pay Well

Welding

Welders use heat, tools, and precision to join, repair, and cut metal parts. You can find welding work in manufacturing, construction, agriculture, transportation, and repair. 

At EICC, you have options. 

The for-credit Welding Certificate can be completed in less than six months. The Welding Diploma can be completed in one year. Both options build the technical skills employers expect and may qualify for financial aid. 

EICC Continuing Education also offers basic welding training that can be completed in as little as eight weeks when courses are available. This is a good option if you want a shorter, non-credit path and do not want to enroll in college. 

Best fit if you want: 

• Hands-on work with visible results. 
• A credit program with financial aid options. 
• A short-term non-credit option when available. 

Explore Welding at EICC

Continuing Education Welding Training

CNC Machining 

CNC machinists work with computer-controlled equipment to create precision parts. This is where math, blueprints, software, and machines meet. It is a strong fit if you like solving problems and working with exact measurements. 

EICC’s for-credit CNC certificate can be completed in six months or less. The diploma can be completed in one year. 

The Continuing Education CNC Entry-Level Technician program takes 15 weeks and does not require a college application.

Courses include shop math, measurement, hand tools and fasteners, blueprint reading, CAM fundamentals, and CNC basics. 

Best fit if you want: 

• Technical work with machines, software, and measurements. 
• A credit certificate or diploma. 
• A 15-week non-credit training option. 

  Explore CNC at EICC   

Continuing Education CNC Training

 

CDL Truck Driving

Truck drivers keep goods moving across Iowa and across the country. It is direct, practical work with a clear license requirement. 

EICC’s CDL training is a non-credit program through Continuing Education. Students can prepare for licensing in 4–6 weeks, depending on transmission type. No college application needed. 

There are extra costs to plan for, including a DOT physical, permit fee, driving abstract, and drug screening. In Iowa, the permit fee is $12. Driving abstract fees vary by state. 

Best fit if you want: 

• A fast, non-credit route into the workforce. 
• Training focused on earning a commercial driver’s license. 
• Work that keeps you moving. Literally. 

Explore CDL at EICC

View upcoming CDL Classes

HVAC 

HVAC technicians install, maintain, and repair heating and cooling systems. In Eastern Iowa, that work matters in every season. Homes, schools, hospitals, manufacturers, and businesses all rely on trained technicians.

EICC offers a for-credit HVAC Certificate that can be completed in six months and a diploma that can be completed in one year. The diploma prepares you for industry competency exams in Residential and Light Commercial HVAC. Students graduate with EPA Section 608 Technician Certification and an industry-approved 10-hour OSHA certificate. 

EICC’s Continuing Education Residential HVAC Installation course is a nine-week, non-credit option.  train for hands-on work in residential heating and cooling, including how to install and calibrate a gas-fired furnace with air conditioning. The course also prepares students for EPA Section 608 certification. 

This is a strong choice if you want practical training without enrolling in college. 

Best fit if you want: 

• Hands-on work in homes, schools, businesses, and facilities. 
• A credit path with industry credentials. 
• A nine-week non-credit option focused on residential installation. 

Explore HVAC at EICC

Continuing Education HVAC Training

How Long Does It Take?

How Much Does It Cost?

Costs vary by program and training format. Continuing Education courses are paid out of pocket and may vary by class. Credit programs use EICC’s current tuition rate of $209 per credit hour for in-state students.

Welding students should also plan for about $250 in safety equipment and tools, including a welding hood, welding jacket, welding gloves, safety glasses, and steel-toe boots. 

HVAC students should plan for tools and safety gear. CDL students should plan for a DOT physical, permit fee, driving abstract, and drug screening. 

For-credit students may qualify for financial aid or scholarships. While most continuing education students pay out of pocket, various grant programs can help offset or cover the cost.

Credit or Non-Credit: Which Path Fits? 

Choose a credit program if you want a certificate or diploma, may use financial aid, or want a credential that can build toward additional education. 

Choose Continuing Education if you want faster training, do not want to apply to college, and are ready to pay out of pocket. 

There is no one right answer. There is the path that fits your timeline, budget, and goal. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

• What jobs don’t require a degree? 
  
  • Many skilled trades do not require a bachelor’s degree, including welding, CNC machining, CDL truck driving, and HVAC. Some require certificates, licenses, or industry credentials instead. 
• What skilled trades pay well? 
  
  • According to 2024 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, median pay is $51,000 for welders, $56,150 for machinists, $57,440 for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, and $59,810 for HVAC technicians. 
• Can I start a trade career in less than a year? 
  
  • Yes. Depending on the program, training can take as little as 4–15 weeks through Continuing Education. Credit certificates and diplomas can often be completed in six months to one year. 
• Do I have to apply to college? 
  
  • Not always. EICC Continuing Education programs do not require a college application. Credit programs do. 
• Is financial aid available? 
  
  • Financial aid may be available for eligible students in credit programs. Continuing Education programs are typically paid out of pocket. 

Ready to Start? 

A four-year degree can be a great choice. It just is not the only one. 

If you want work you can see, skills employers need, and training that gets to the point, start with the trade that fits you best. 

Explore Welding, CNC, CDL, and HVAC training at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. 

For credit programs, use the program page to apply or request information. For Continuing Education programs, follow the course page instructions to register, request information, or contact the program. 

Choose the path that fits. Then get moving.