A four-year college or university isn’t for everyone. In fact, students who opt for alternatives may end up a bit richer and a whole lot happier.
Last week, after talking sports with a teenager for about an hour, I asked him if he liked school. His reply was poignant: “Not much.”
This kid could be athletic scholarship material if he had the skill and the interest. Instead, he is headed for “the trades,” following in the footsteps of a family of successful contractors.
Is a university education right for everyone? Absolutely not.
Consider this:
According to the College Board, a “moderate” price for an in-state public college for 2015-2016 is $24,061. If you are able to get your bachelor’s degree in four years, that is almost $100,000.
A report by Complete College America reveals that only 50% of full-time students at a huge majority of public colleges graduate in four years. Many take six years or don’t complete their degree at all.
If you borrowed money to pay for school, the pain is doubly bad if you don’t complete your degree. According to the Federal Reserve Board, 21% of student loan borrowers who don’t have a degree and are no longer enrolled in their original program are behind on their loan payments.
Additionally, imagine the psychological toll that dropping out of college can take on a young person, especially if he or she still has loans to pay back.
College isn’t for everyone. There are other options that allow young people to learn skills that can land them great-paying jobs.
Vocational schools
Vocational schools train students for skilled jobs in two years. These fields, which often don’t require a Bachelor’s degree, include healthcare and technology, as well as the traditional trades such as electrical, mechanical, and plumbing.
According to a report from trade-schools.net citing data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Computer programmers and network systems administrators can make between $77K (median pay) - $124K (top pay) per year.
Electricians and plumbers can make $50K (median pay) - $90K (top pay) per year.
Dental hygienists can bring in $72K (median pay) - $98K (top pay) and cardiovascular technologists can make $55K (median pay) - $87K (top pay.)
Generally a trade or vocational school will be a two-year program rather than four years, which could save students over $50,000 and two additional years out of the workforce! A trade school or vocational program could be a great fit for many high school graduates.
The U.S. armed forces
Growing up as the daughter of a career naval officer, I saw firsthand the benefits of being in the military. I had the opportunity to live in a variety of places on both coasts! Any branch of the military can teach young people valuable skills while paying them to learn.
The military offers educational benefits to complete advanced education, whether it is a four-year degree, graduate program, or technical certifications.
Servicemen and servicewomen can often use the skills they learned in the military at great civilian jobs. Check out this military skills translator.
There are so many opportunities out there for young people today. In fact, as I sit at my desk writing this blog, I am staring at six partially completed townhomes behind my house.
One of the reasons they aren’t finished and inhabited by now is there aren’t enough skilled workers to complete them. I’d hate to see a kid who’d be a terrific carpenter or mason head to a university when his or her heart isn’t in it.
My son was one of those kids. He made a smart decision (with a little guidance from his mom and step-father) to enlist in the U.S. Navy a few years ago.
Due to the excellent leadership and technical training he’s received, he has a very bright future ahead of him, whether he stays in the military or transitions to civilian life.
