![Japan Hotel School [Official] | Hotel, Bridal and Wedding School](https://www.jhs.ac.jp/wordpress/wp-content/themes/jhs/dist/img/common/logo.png){kind=logo}
A thorough comparison of vocational schools vs universities
Select a vocational school
Advantages and disadvantages
After graduating from high school, many people are wondering whether to go to a university, junior college, or a vocational school. For those of you who are struggling to choose your career path, we will explain in an easy-to-understand manner the differences between the Japan Hotel School of Japan and a university.
Differences between vocational schools and universities
Some people may think that university is a better choice. Let's consider the difference between a vocational school and a university.
At universities, students acquire a wide range of knowledge and culture, while at vocational schools, they focus on learning specialized knowledge and skills.
| Japan Hotel School | university | |
|---|---|---|
| the purpose | Focus on your field of expertise | Learn general knowledge and specialized knowledge |
| curriculum | school led | Choose Yourself |
| Internship location | school led | Search for yourself |
| Qualifications | Obtained in class | Get it yourself |
| job hunting | school led | Do it yourself |
| Period of study | 2~3 years | 4 years or more |
| cost | Approximately 3 million (daytime) | Approximately 4.5 million yen (private liberal arts universities) |
Vocational schools allow you to acquire specialized knowledge in a short period of time, so they are a shortcut for those who already have a career in mind for the future. On the other hand, universities are basically for people who can decide their own direction and have a clear idea of the field they want to pursue.
Japan Hotel School is recommended for these people
- I have decided that I want to work in the hotel or bridal industry in the future.
- Those who want to acquire specialized knowledge in a short period of time and play an active role in the industry
- My dream is to work in a hotel overseas in the future.
- Those who wish to have a full-fledged corporate collaboration curriculum, such as an internship at a company
University is recommended for these people
- I want to acquire a broad range of general knowledge.
- I want to think carefully about my future career at university
- I still don't have a clear image of my future career
- The employment qualification for the company you want to work for is "university/junior college graduation or higher"
Which is better: wages or employment?
Wage comparison
Generally, the more educated you are, the higher your wages.
However, not everything is determined by educational background, and there are large differences depending on the company.
If you acquire specialized knowledge at a vocational school, you will be able to play an active role immediately after getting a job, and you will have many opportunities to advance your career. Therefore, having a vocational school degree is not a disadvantage.
Comparison of recruitment numbers
Source: Ota Publications, Inc. "Hotel Industry Job Guide 2025"
Example: Imperial Hotel Co., Ltd. (Imperial Hotel Tokyo, Imperial Hotel Osaka, Kamikochi Imperial Hotel)
| Vocational school/Junior college | 58 people |
|---|---|
| university | 35 people |
The Okura Tokyo Co., Ltd.
| Vocational school/Junior college | 46 people |
|---|---|
| university | 15 people |
Nippon Hotel Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Station Hotel, Metropolitan Hotels, Hotel Dream Gate Maihama, etc.)
| Vocational school/Junior college | 56 people |
|---|---|
| university | 26 people |
If you wish to work in the hotel or bridal industry, a vocational school is an advantage.
In the case of vocational schools, the close ties with the industry give them an overwhelming advantage statistically.
In recent years, an increasing number of companies, especially foreign-owned hotels, are placing emphasis on personality and ability and not discriminating based on educational background or gender.
If you want to succeed in the hotel and bridal industry, come to Japan Hotel School
Many companies come to our school in search of talented people.
Generally, job hunting involves visiting companies in person to attend information sessions and selection processes. However, at our school, which has built trust in the hotel and bridal industry for many years, company recruiters come to the school to hold company information sessions on campus. (2017-2023: 365 companies)
The employment rate for those who wish to study is 100%, and 96% of them are employed in hotel and bridal-related companies, which is proof of the strong employment prospects in the industry. (Results for graduates in March 2024)
Start your career in an overseas hotel
In addition to the usual two years of student life, students can take advantage of the overseas study abroad program during their time at the university and an overseas hotel internship program for one year after graduation to realize the "four-year model plan."
You will be able to acquire language skills and succeed in a foreign-owned hotel or other workplace where you can use your English.
By the time college students finish their four years at university and graduate, they will have experience studying abroad and working.
Support continues even after graduation as long as you are in the hotel and bridal industry
Graduates of Japan Hotel School can receive career support even after graduation. As long as you are working in the hotel or bridal industry, you can continue to exchange information and interact with others. We can also provide advice on returning to work, returning to your hometown, or changing jobs to a hotel overseas.