Not so long ago, living the American Dream typically required going to college to land a high-paying job. Today, young people are being priced out of that dream by exploding tuition prices and limited job opportunities for recent graduates.
So is the American Dream officially dead? No — thanks in part to vocational training and other affordable college alternatives.
In fact, recent studies found that the happiest segment of the workforce is employed in jobs that don’t require formal education.
As a result, trade school enrollment is on the rise:
- According to the National Student Clearinghouse, enrollment shot up by 16% at two-year schools specializing in trades in 2023
- Per Business Insider, enrollment in programs teaching construction, culinary arts, and mechanic and repair trades spiked by 19%, 13%, and 12%, respectively in 2021 and 2022 — and enrollment numbers are still increasing
Ed Huang, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Resume Genius, explains the increasing popularity of vocational training:
“As we look to the future, it’s clear that younger generations like Gen Z are gravitating toward vocational training not just for its affordability but because it aligns closely with their realistic assessments of what today’s economy looks like. This generation — what some are calling the ‘toolbelt generation,’ — is acutely aware of the uncertainties that lie ahead, including job security and the ability to afford a home, concerns that weren’t as pronounced for previous generations at the same age.”
We’re not suggesting that youngsters skip university on a whim, but here are six compelling reasons people are picking vocational school training over studying at traditional universities:
1. College costs are rising
Sources: US News, USA Today, educationdata.org, educationdata.org, educationdata.orgGoing to college can be expensive, especially for out-of-state and international students with few or no scholarships. Plus, the costs keep going up every year.
Per CollegeBoard, the average price of public, in-state college in 2023–2024 is 22% higher than it was in 2022–2023.
According to data from US News, the cost of tuition and fees has jumped by a massive 158% in the last 20 years (56% after adjustment for inflation).
Additionally, 22% of college students pay up to 150% of their degree’s value by taking up to six years to complete what’s supposed to be a four-year degree.
The growing costs of college tuition, books, and room and board have produced the following college-related debt statistics:
- US student loan debt totals $1.77 trillion across 44 million borrowers
- Debt-holders owe an average of $28,950 each
- The average amount of time borrowers take to pay off student loans is 20 years
According to Gallup, “71% of U.S. adults who have taken out student loans report having delayed at least one significant life event because of their student loan debt.”
2. College is a big timesink
Bachelor’s degrees are meant to be four-year endeavors, but only 64.6% of students who enrolled in college in 2016 graduated within six years. The other 36.4% of students either took longer than six years to graduate or dropped out.
Even if you finish your degree within four years, you’ll spend half of your time studying general education credits — 101 classes like math, psychology, and English — that are mostly unrelated to your major.
While a well-rounded education is valuable, the average US college class (3 credits) costs $1,431, and many students can only afford to invest in courses that lead directly to employment.
3. A college degree doesn’t guarantee you a good job anymore
While many college graduates quickly land work in fields they’re interested in, a degree doesn’t automatically translate into a fulfilling career.
“I definitely get why vocational schools are gaining popularity recently, as traditional colleges are generally not cheap and no longer promise a cushy job after graduation,” says Geoffrey Scott, Senior Hiring Manager at Resume Genius. “Combine inflation with high interest rates on student loans, and it’s often a rough time for people just out of college. Vocational training is an alluring alternative for many young people due to its lower cost of entry and the direct career pathways it can provide.”
Scott also notes:
“Trade jobs like plumbing and electric work are pretty much recession-proof. Skilled trades are essential to keep the world running, and remain in demand even during times of economic downturn. This general outlook makes pursuing such occupations a more tempting choice for many prospective students who may be unsure of what they want to study after high school.”
Research from Strada Institute for the Future of Work and the Burning Glass Institute shows that 52% of four-year college graduates are “underemployed” in jobs that don’t require a college degree.
Their “Talent Disrupted Report” also found that “A decade after graduation, 45 percent of them still don’t hold a job that requires a four-year degree.”
And according to the Pew Research Center,
4. More employers are dropping 4-year degree requirements
Many companies are rethinking the degree requirements in their hiring processes, opening jobs to applicants who possess relevant skills and demonstrate an ability to learn quickly.
Some of the biggest brands in the world are on board with hiring people who didn’t graduate from college:
- A Business Insider report highlighted 7 companies that no longer require degrees for many of their positions: Google, IBM, Dell, Bank of America, Okta, Delta Airlines, Accenture
- Per the American Opportunity Index, some of the highest-ranking companies in terms of hiring people without degrees include industry leaders such as Coca-Cola, State Farm Insurance, and United Airlines
Moving away from strict degree requirements has led to direct economic results. For instance, the unemployment rate for people 25 years old and up with only a high school diploma dropped from 11% in Mar. 2010 to 4.1% in Mar. 2024.
5. You can get a high-paying job without the college investment
There are plenty of fulfilling, well-paying careers available to people without a degree or who want to switch careers without returning to school.
However, if people decide to skip college or make a career change, they should be cautious about which profession they choose. For example, a job as a power plant operator seems like a good choice because of its nearly $100,890 median annual salary. But look closer and you’ll see this field is projected to decline 10% by 2032 thanks to the rise of alternative energy sources like wind and solar.
To pick a career that offers long-term success, prospective students should consider both the salary and the projected industry growth. Here are three of the best trades to learn in terms of pay and stability:
Commercial pilot
Learners can pass relevant certifications and complete 1,500 flight hours to become a commercial pilot in two years or less.
Once they’ve got their wings, they’ll enjoy a $171,210 median annual salary and 4% projected industry growth by 2032.
Elevator installer & repairer
Aspiring elevator installers and repairers will likely complete an apprenticeship before obtaining state licensing. All they need to get started is a high school diploma or GED.
As an elevator installer and repairer, they can expect to receive an annual median salary of $102,420.
Dental hygienist
Dental hygienists assist dentists with everything from cleaning teeth to taking X-rays. They make a median salary of $87,530, and the occupation is projected to grow 7% by 2032.
Those interested can become a dental hygienist by completing a two-year associate degree and passing their state’s licensing requirements.
Here are more top jobs that don’t require four-year college degrees but pay well and offer growth potential:
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary (USD) | Projected Growth (2022–2032) |
|---|---|---|
| Radiation therapists | $98,300 | 2% |
| Medical sonographers and cardiovascular technicians | $80,850 | 10% |
| Aircraft mechanics and technicians | $75,400 | 4% |
| Court reporters and simultaneous captioners | $63,940 | 3% |
6. Different vocational options are growing in popularity
Those who decide not to take the traditional college route to a career have many options to choose from, including the following:
Trade school
Trade schools offer students specialized, hands-on training for specific occupations. Graduates receive certificates, diplomas, or associate degrees that can lead to high-paying jobs.
Community colleges are often confused with trade schools, but they’re very different.
Curriculums at community colleges are typically designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year university. Students can get a technical certification at a community college, but they’ll have to take general education courses meant for students seeking to transfer.
Trade schools hold several advantages over traditional universities and community colleges:
- Trade schools are 75% cheaper than college on average
- Trade schools focus on teaching the skills needed for specific jobs without general education requirements
- Credentials only take two months to two years to earn
Technical school
A technical school is similar to a trade school, offering associate degrees, certifications, and diplomas that students can earn in half the time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree. However, technical school classes are more theoretical compared to the more hands-on, practical training taught at trade schools.
For example, an associate degree in criminal justice may be available at a technical school, while a certificate in construction practices is more likely to be found at a trade school.
Many vocational institutions remove the line between trade school and technical school by offering both theoretical and hands-on programs.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships emphasize learning industry-specific skills on the job. These programs are popular in Europe, and they’re rapidly growing in the US.
The US national apprenticeship system accepted 241,000 new apprentices in 2021, marking a 64% increase over 10 years.
Doing an apprenticeship can be a better option than going to a traditional college because apprentices:
- learn their craft while collecting a paycheck
- don’t need to take out student loans
- could be ready to start their own business or get a promotion earlier than if they went to college
Apprenticeships aren’t only for blue-collar workers like electricians or carpenters. Industries ranging from health care to information technology — including giants like Google and IBM — offer in-house training programs.
Samuel Johns, Recruiting Manager at CV Genius points out the value of these types of training for developing practical, provable skills:
“Soft skills complement your technical abilities and are necessary for long-term success. Developing skills like effective communication, teamwork, and problem solving through real-world applications and team-based projects during your training can significantly enhance your workplace readiness.”
“Practical experience is invaluable in vocational fields. Engaging in internships, apprenticeships, or part-time roles within your industry provides you with firsthand experience and insight into daily operations. Additionally, these experiences often lead to professional networking opportunities and can open doors to job offers. I advise students and trainees to actively seek out and participate in these experiences so they can apply what they’ve learned in actual work settings.”
How to get hired without a 4-year degree
Jobseekers who choose an alternative to traditional college will need to write a standout resume (or a CV), compose a thorough cover letter, and promote their top job skills in interviews to compete with degree-holding job seekers:
Create a skills-forward resume
Because they don’t have a college degree, trade school graduates’ main selling points are their skillset and work experience.
Tradespeople should highlight their top qualifications with a resume format that emphasizes relevant skills and work history — they can use a resume builder to do this if they’re not confident formatting a resume.
Their resume’s work experience section and skills section should include hard numbers and examples that show they’re qualified and overshadow any lack of education on their resume.
Here’s an example from an applicant who used the functional resume format and data to highlight their skills and experience:
Looking at how other professionals in an industry present their experience on their resumes — or checking job-specific resume samples — will help jobseekers understand how best to advertise their skill sets to employers.
The best resume templates for 2024
One of the best ways to make your resume is by filling out one of our free resume templates. All our templates are designed by experts and free to download for Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
Write a standout cover letter
Vocational school graduates should explain why their skills and experience are more valuable than a college degree in a well-written your cover letter.
Here’s an example of how to start a cover letter by convincing the hiring manager that relevant experience is equivalent to a college degree:
I’m a highly skilled, award-winning makeup artist interested in your open Theater Makeup position. Although I don’t possess the preferred education requirements listed in your job ad, I believe my 8+ years of experience applying makeup artistry in local theater and television settings proves I’m qualified to take your productions to a new level of quality.
Explain relevant training in interviews
When a resume and cover letter land a job interview, jobseekers should prepare to answer questions about their technical training and experience. Answers should:
- show that they’ve researched the company
- highlight the ways their skills will help them thrive in the position
- include specific examples of their role-related experience and accomplishments
- indicate they take initiative by keeping their skills and industry knowledge current
An outstanding interview performance could be what lands someone a job over a candidate who has better qualifications. Job hunters can get ready to ace their interviews with these resources:
- Interview tips
- Common interview questions and answers
- The best questions to ask interviewers
- How to answer “Walk me through your resume”
- How to follow up after an interview
Sources
[/rg_anchor_columns_list]- American Opportunity Index, “The 2023 American Opportunity Index”
- Apprenticeship.gov, “Apprenticeship Industries”
- BestColleges, “College Cost Per Credit Hour”
- BestColleges, “What Is General Education (Gen Ed)?”
- Business Insider, “More Students Are Learning to Be Mechanics, Chefs, and Construction Workers as College Enrollment Shrinks”
- Business Insider, “You No Longer Need a College Degree to Work at These 7 Companies”
- CNBC, “1 in 3 Companies Are Ditching College Degree Requirements for Salaried Jobs”
- CollegeBoard, “Trends in College Pricing: Highlights”
- Course Report, “The 39 Best Coding Bootcamps”
- Education Data Initiative, “Average Time to Repay Student Loans”
- Education Data Initiative, “College Graduation Statistics”
- FinancesOnline, “98 Trade School vs College Statistics in 2024: Education Cost & Job Outlook Analysis”
- Forbes, “2024 Student Loan Debt Statistics: Average Student Loan Debt”
- Gallup, “Cost of College: The Price Tag of Higher Education and Its Effect on Enrollment”
- GoRemotely, “22 Interesting Job Satisfaction Statistics You Should Know”
- Inside Higher Ed, “More Than Half of Recent 4-Year College Grads Underemployed”
- Kiplinger, “15 CEOs Who Started on the Ground Floor”
- National Center for Education Statistics, “Undergraduate graduation rates”
- National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, “Current Term Enrollment Estimates Report Spring 2023” (PDF)
- National Student Clearinghouse, “Undergraduate Enrollment Grew in the Fall of 2023”
- NPR, “Many in Gen Z Ditch Colleges for Trade Schools. Meet the ‘Toolbelt Generation’”
- Pew Research Center, “10 Facts About Today’s College Graduates”
- Resume Genius, “10 Highest-Paying Jobs With an Associate Degree in 2024”
- TradeCollege.org, “2023 Best Trade Schools”
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Outlook Handbook”
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Unemployment Rates for Persons 25 Years and Older by Educational Attainment”
- US Department of Labor, “FY 2021 Data and Statistics”
- US News, “A Look at 20 Years of Tuition Costs at National Universities”
- USA Today, “Student loan debt: Averages and other statistics in 2024”
About Resume Genius
Since 2009, Resume Genius has combined innovative technology with leading industry expertise to simplify the job hunt for people of all backgrounds and levels of experience.
Resume Genius’s easy-to-use resume builder and wide range of free career resources, including resume templates, cover letter samples, and resume writing guides, help job seekers find fulfilling work and reach their career goals. Resume Genius is led by a team of dedicated career advisors and HR experts and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, CNBC, and Business Insider.
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