There are many reasons why you might not want to go to college.
Maybe you want to start earning money right after high school and become financially independent. It may be that the training programs offered do not match your current interests or what you would like to do. Or maybe you just don’t see the point in spending thousands of dollars you don’t have on an education that may or may not lead to a high-paying job – and that’s 100% okay.
There are many alternative paths you can take that are much more affordable and can help you get the skills you need to make money, and then some more.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular campus study alternatives to help you find the best option for you.
A local college is a much cheaper alternative to four years of study, especially if you keep it local. In fact, in some places, such as Boston, you can earn a certificate or associate’s degree without spending a dime if you are a resident and meet certain requirements.
But if you don’t live in a place that has free community colleges, don’t worry. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of credit for an in-state student at a two-year public college is $141, while in-state students at a four-year public college pay an average of $390 per credit hour.
Plus, you also get access to the same financial aid resources that are available to those in a four-year college. These include federal grants, scholarships, federal student loans, and work-study programs, so you’re in gold.
But the best thing about getting into a community college (besides the lower price, of course) is that you can complete a certificate program or an associate’s degree in two years or less, some of which can lead to high-paying jobs.
Here are some examples:
So, yes, I would say community college is a pretty good option to consider.
Related: How much can I save by going to community college
Professional training programs
Do you want to be a hairdresser? Confectioner? Bartender? Or maybe an electrician? If yes, then a vocational school or trade school is definitely an option you should look into.
Unlike a traditional college where you have to study literature and liberal arts even if you majored in biology, vocational schools focus on teaching you the basic skills needed for a particular job.
Most programs take an average of 18 months to complete, and you’ll receive hands-on training along the way, meaning you’ll be ready to go by the time you earn your certification.
While the average cost to complete a professional program in the US is $33,000, there are some programs that can be completed for as little as a few thousand dollars, especially if you can get them through a local college.
In addition, these professions, as a rule, allow you to make good money.
Is it a point? In a recent video, Cardi B admitted she shelled out $1,200 in one visit to get her hair and nails done.
But even if you don’t have high-end clients like Cardi B, we all need to get a haircut at some point or hire an electrician to help with the wiring around the house, so you’ll never run out of clients.
Technical College
Like vocational schools, technical colleges focus on teaching you the skills you need to do a specific job in a specific industry through hands-on learning. However, the main difference is that technical colleges tend to offer a wider variety of programs.
Some of the careers you could pursue while attending a technical college include:
- Cosmetologist.
- Graphic Designer.
- Auto mechanic (aka mechanic).
- Cyber security specialist.
- Emergency Medical Technician (Paramedic).
- Tax preparation assistant.
- Commercial truck driver.
- Occupational Therapist Assistant.
- Refrigeration technician.
- Billing and billing clerk.
- Carpenter/cabinet maker.
- Website and software developer.
According to my research, all of these programs can be completed in one to two years and cost less than $12,000 on average. In addition, some technical colleges, such as Northwood Technical College, for example, offer programs that qualify for federal financial assistance, allowing you to save even more money on your education.
Programming training courses
If you are a tech wizard, this is for you. Programming courses have grown in popularity over the past few years, and for good reason.
These programs can be completed 100% online in as little as 12 weeks (although some programs can take up to 24 weeks) and graduates are typically employed within 180 days of graduation with an average starting salary of $62,400.
According to Course Report, an average programming course costs $14,400, while a traditional computer science degree from a four-year institution costs $172,000. So, in principle, you can recoup your investment in less than a year.
So, what can you do after completing a coding bootcamp? Here are some ideas:
- Web developer.
- Programmer.
- Front end developer.
- Programmer.
- Support engineer.
On the other hand, these programs are usually not eligible for federal financial assistance, so if you don’t have money up front, you’ll likely need to get a private student loan or enter into some kind of payment agreement with the school. cover expenses.
However, there are places like Coursera, edX, and Ada Developers Academy that offer some of these courses for free.
Discipleship
Apprenticeship combines the best of both worlds: learning and earning.
Let’s unpack this, shall we?
When you are an apprentice, you are basically paid to learn how to do a specific job at the company offering the program. While each apprenticeship program has its own requirements, you generally need to be at least 16 years old and have a high school diploma or GED to apply.
In addition to a good salary for on-the-job skills training, many companies also provide other benefits, including free work gear or equipment, health insurance, access to a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan, and paid time off. .
In other words, you are an employee. You are simply not considered fully capable until you have completed the program, which can last anywhere from six months to a year.
According to Apprenticeship.gov, 92% of students keep a job after completing the program and earn a whopping $72,000 a year on average.
Most of these programs are available to students for free, and in some cases, you can also receive college credit upon completion. The only major hurdle is getting the opportunity itself as it is a very competitive environment.
Some of the industries that offer apprenticeships include:
- Healthcare.
- Hospitality.
- Cybersecurity.
- Construction.
- Energy.
- Engineering.
- Transport.
- Financial services.
If you’re interested in learning more, I’ve written a pretty extensive article on discipleship that you can read here.
Stackable Credentials
Stackable credentials have gained popularity during the pandemic because they can be completed online and are relatively cheap (about $166 per course).
But what exactly are they and what can be done with them?
Well, incremental credentials break larger degree programs like an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree into small, digestible courses that can be completed in a few weeks or a couple of months.
They get their nickname because you can either stop after getting one of them and get certified for that specific skill you learned throughout the program, or you can “stack them” until you get your degree.
These courses are usually offered online on platforms such as edX and there are actually no registration requirements for them. You just need to dedicate yourself to learning.
In addition, there are many disciplines to choose from. You can learn about the basics of marketing, the basics of computer science, and even seemingly random things like the science of dog behavior. All of this can help you gain the skills you need to move up the career ladder that will help you advance in your desired industry.
The only significant downside, as with coding tutorials, is that you will have to pay most of the funds out of your own pocket. So, this is something to keep in mind.
Start your business
Okay, this might require a bit of initial capital (or a lot, depending on what you’re going to do), but it’s another option you might want to explore.
Here are some ideas:
Do you like animals? You can start your own pet sitting service which can be extremely lucrative. The last time we went on vacation, we paid our cat sitter $45 a night and also provided food, toys, beds, and so on. And she had other cats to sit next to ours.
Do you know how to bake? Sell your baked goods.
Do you have talent behind the lens? Become an event photographer.
Are you cunning? Sell your items on Etsy.
The possibilities are endless. You just need to find a niche that you are good at and follow it.
Summary
Going to college has long been thought of as a sort of rite of passage that all high school graduates must go through in order to become successful adults, but that’s not entirely true.
As you can see, there are many options that can lead to a successful career and a well-paying job at a fraction of the cost. The most important thing is to do your research to find the one that best suits your interests and professional goals.
Featured Image: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com