Why do many people go to college?

Many people choose to attend college because the career they wish to pursue requires a college degree. Having a college degree is still associated with greater earnings and wealth over a lifetime. However, there are alternatives available today and many careers do not require a four-year degree. It’s important to be aware of viable alternatives and to consider your options carefully when determining if college is right for you.

10 Min Read | Published: June 19, 2024

10 Alternatives to College

Discover alternatives to college including apprenticeships, vocational training, entrepreneurship, online courses, employment, and more.

At-A-Glance

While college makes sense for many people, it may not be the right path for everyone.

There are a variety of alternatives to college that can still lead to a fulfilling, successful career.

If you’re interested in non-college pathways, you may want to explore trade school, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, coding boot camps, and other options.

College can be a great way to obtain credentials, develop your skills, and enjoy a thriving career, but it isn’t for everyone. In some cases, it may not be the only path to your chosen career. Depending on what career you’re considering, there may be a variety of alternative options available today that can help to set you up for a successful future.

In this article, we’ll explore alternative options to traditional higher education, including apprenticeships, vocational training, entrepreneurship, online learning, and more.

10 Practical Alternatives to College

Here’s a look at some popular alternatives to college today:

1. Community College

Also known as junior college, community college offers two-year associate degrees, certificates, and sometimes continuing education opportunities. If you like the idea of a formal education in a classroom setting, a community college can be a viable alternative to a traditional college or university with undergraduate and graduate degrees. You can always transfer to a traditional college and pursue a four-year degree down the road, just make sure the college that you’d like to transfer to accepts credits from your community college.

Estimated Cost: From $9,845 to $20,091 a year (for in-state students living off campus without family)¹
How Long Does It Take: 2 years or less
May Be Best For: Students interested in an associate’s degree or certificate program

2. Trade Schools and Vocational Education

Trade and vocational schools allow you to take courses that are related to the career you’d like to pursue. Unlike traditional colleges, these institutions are typically more hands-on. You may consider a trade or vocational school if you’d like to become dental assistant, electrician, medical/clinical assistant, or auto technician, for example.

Estimated Cost: $17,600 per year on average²
How Long Does It Take: Typically, 1 to 2 years
May Be Best For: Those with a specific, hands-on career path in mind

3. Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship can give you the opportunity to take relevant courses and gain valuable, on-the-job experience while earning money. It may help you develop the skills you need to become successful in your desired career path. Apprenticeships are usually offered by employers who wish to build a skilled, future workforce. They’re available for a variety of industries, such as healthcare, financial services, construction, cybersecurity, and hospitality.³

Estimated Cost: Paid for by employers
How Long Does It Take: Typically, 1 to 6 years
May Be Best For: Anyone who wants to earn an income and grow professionally in a certain field

4. Online Learning

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are online courses that you can take from anywhere, at your own pace. With MOOCs, you can learn new skills that may help you with your future career. They cover a variety of topics related to business, marketing, computer science, design, nutrition, and more. While some MOOCs charge a fee, there are many free courses available as well.

Estimated Cost: Typically, free to a few hundred dollars per course
How Long Does It Take: Typically, 1 to 16 weeks per course⁴
May Be Best For: Those who want to build new skills without committing to a degree program

5. Employment

More and more employers are looking for hard-working, talented workers and reducing or even eliminating degree requirements for their positions.⁵ If you can prove that you’re a good candidate, you may be able to land an entry-level job without a college degree. An employer may be willing to hire you and train you in certain areas where you may be less skilled.

Estimated Cost: $0 (Your employer will pay you)
How Long Does It Take: The job hunt can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months or longer
May Be Best For: Anyone who prefers to jump into the workforce and gain experience right away

6. Entrepreneurship

If you’re a driven, creative individual who likes the idea of working for yourself, entrepreneurship could be a good option. As an entrepreneur, you can enjoy complete control of your hours, schedule, and responsibilities.⁶ If you’re highly skilled or knowledgeable about a certain topic or have unique talents, starting your own venture may be a good idea.

Estimated Cost: It varies
How Long Does It Take: It varies
May Be Best For: Disciplined, motivated leaders who want to be their own boss

6. Entrepreneurship

If you’re a driven, creative individual who likes the idea of working for yourself, entrepreneurship could be a good option. As an entrepreneur, you can enjoy complete control of your hours, schedule, and responsibilities.⁶ If you’re highly skilled or knowledgeable about a certain topic or have unique talents, starting your own venture may be a good idea.

Estimated Cost: It varies
How Long Does It Take: It varies
May Be Best For: Disciplined, motivated leaders who want to be their own boss

7. Military

By joining the military branch, you can serve your country and gain real-life experience as well. You may even get your college education paid for. You’ll also learn valuable skills like discipline and focus that will benefit you in your personal and professional life.

Estimated Cost: You can join the military for free as long as you’re a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen who meets certain criteria
How Long Does It Take: It varies
May Be Best For: Those who want to serve their country and gain new skills including discipline and teamwork

8. Coding Boot Camps

Coding boot camps can set you up for a technical career without the high cost, and you can typically complete them within a short timeframe. Many coding boot camps are offered in person but there may be some with online courses that allow for a bit of flexibility. They may also support you with mentorship and networking to help you land a job after you complete the program.

Estimated Cost: Typically, between $7,800 to $21,000, but it varies⁷
How Long Does It Take: Typically, 12 to 16 months for a full time boot camp, but this varies
May Be Best For: Anyone who aspires to work as a programmer, software developer, or in a related career

9. Volunteering

There are various non-profit organizations that depend on volunteers. If you’re particularly passionate or interested in a certain cause or organization, volunteering may make sense. You may also open the doors to valuable networking and/or travel opportunities. While some volunteer opportunities are short-term, others are long-term and may last up to a year or longer.

Estimated Cost: Depends on the volunteer opportunity but many are free
How Long Does It Take: It varies
May Be Best For: Those who are passionate about a cause or organization

10. Travel

If you’re looking for a way to immerse yourself in different cultures while seeing the world, traveling can be a good fit. You may want to secure a remote job so that you can work while you travel to help offset your expenses.

Estimated Cost: Depends on the type of travel and duration
How Long Does It Take: It’s up to you
May Be Best For: Anyone who wants to embark on a journey of self-discovery and independence

Benefits of a Non-College Education

Pursuing non-college pathways can lead to a variety of benefits. Not only can you save money, but you may be able to complete the education you desire in a shorter time frame. Depending on the option you choose, you might also enjoy specialized training tailored to the industry you hope to break into. A non-college pathway can also help you figure out what type of career you’re interested in while connecting you to mentors and professionals that may steer you in the right direction.

Should You Go to College?

Whether or not you should go to college depends on your situation and big-picture career goals. If you have a specific career aspiration that requires a four-year degree, then college could be an important part of your future.

On the other hand, there are a number of occupations that don’t require college degrees, so if you have your sights set on one of those, then college may be less beneficial.

Over the long term, a college degree is still associated with greater earnings and wealth over a lifetime.⁸However, the upfront costs and student loans mean that it’s not worth it for some students.

At the end of the day, you’ll want to carefully consider your options when determining whether college is the right choice for you. You’ll also want to consider whether higher wages and more career options over the long run are worth the years of student loan payments.

On the other hand, if you would like to attend college but are concerned about the costs, know that financial aid is available to help. Options, including work-study programs, grants, scholarships, and student loans can all help you to manage the costs.

You can also plan ahead and save for college to reduce your debt burden. And if you’re looking for ways to save money while in college, there’s a lot that you can do to help keep costs low. This includes buying used textbooks instead of purchasing them new, looking into shared housing or student housing, and using public transportation instead of a car. Keep in mind that you can also save each month by using a credit card that offers cash back on eligible purchases.

Did you know?

There are a number of jobs that pay over $50,000 per year but may not necessarily require a college degree. These include chefs, mechanics, sales representatives, electricians, postal service workers, and flight attendants.⁹

Frequently Asked Questions

A college degree can be worth it for some people, but it may not be the right choice for everyone. If you don’t have a specific career in mind or prefer a more affordable way to gain education and work experience, you may want to consider alternative pathways like employment, entrepreneurship, trade schools, and boot camps.

While formal education through college can be a great pathway to success, it's not the only option. There are many successful professionals who did not go to college. If you are smart, driven, and willing to work hard, you may be able to land a great job and enjoy a successful career, even without a degree.

Many people choose to attend college because the career they wish to pursue requires a college degree. Having a college degree is still associated with greater earnings and wealth over a lifetime.¹⁰ However, there are alternatives available today and many careers do not require a four-year degree. It’s important to be aware of viable alternatives and to consider your options carefully when determining if college is right for you.

The Takeaway

College is a popular option for those who have career aspirations that require a four-year degree. However, there are a variety of alternatives to college available today. Some of the most common non-college pathways include community college, trade school, apprenticeships, online learning, and boot camps.

¹ “How Much Does Community College Cost?,” BestColleges

² “How Much Does Trade School Cost?,” BestColleges

³ “Apprentiship Industries,” Apprenticeship.gov

⁴“Beginners Guide to Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs),” Class Central

⁵ “Educational Requirements Are Gradually Disappearing From Job Postings,” Hiring Lab

^6,7 “23 Practical Alternatives to College (Plus Helpful Tips),” Indeed

^8,10 “Is College Worth It? Consider These Factors Before Enrolling,” Forbes

⁹“80 Highest Paying Jobs without a Degree (Over $50k),” U.S. Career Institute

Anna Baluch is a personal finance writer from Cleveland, OH. She enjoys helping people from all walks of life make smart financial decisions. Her work can be seen on Credit Karma, Forbes, LendingTree, Insurify, and many other publications. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.

All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.