Explore your education and career pathways

Alternatives
to College

Many high school graduates treat traditional four-year college as the default next step, whether or not they have a career in mind. But plenty of good jobs don’t require a bachelor’s degree — or any degree — so it’s worth exploring all your options before you commit.

Here are five alternatives to a four-year college.

What it is: Community colleges are local, typically public schools with two main paths for students: transfer preparation and career training.

Also known as: Junior or two-year college.

Typical length: One or two years.

Credentials: Associate degree or certificate.

Transfer route: For students who eventually want to earn a bachelor’s degree or higher at another college or university. Classes in this track are academic.

Career training route: For students who want to enter the workforce immediately after graduation, these classes typically teach specific skills you can apply on the job.

Planning: Whichever route you choose, have a goal and plan in mind. If you’re planning to transfer, communicate with your advisor regularly to ensure that you're earning credits that will transfer correctly. If you’re preparing for a specific career, ensure you can attain the credential needed for that field.

What it is: Apprenticeships are paid career-training programs where students learn on the job in addition to some classroom instruction.

Also known as: Job-based learning.

Typical length: One to six years.

Credentials: Nationally recognized industry certification.

How it works: Apprentices work full-time jobs with wages starting around $15 an hour and increasing as their skills grow. Fields offering apprenticeships include construction trades, manufacturing, health care, finance, telecommunications and transportation.

Accessibility: There are currently more than 600,000 apprentices in the United States, according to the U.S. Labor Department — a small number compared with the 16.6 million students enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities in fall 2019, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. There’s bipartisan and private-sector support for expanding apprenticeships, but since the number of apprenticeships is limited, they can be competitive to get and there may be a waitlist.

What it is: Trade schools are typically private schools — many are for-profit — that prepare students to enter a particular career directly after completing training.

Also known as: Technical, career or vocational school.

Typical length: One to two years or less.

Credentials: Certificate.

What's offered: Trade schools are available in fields including welding, auto mechanics and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). In addition, many community colleges have similar, and likely more affordable, programs.

How to compare programs: Take extra care to research trade schools before enrolling. For-profit schools tend to be more expensive, requiring students to take on more debt, and lead to poorer outcomes compared with public or not-for-profit schools. Instead, look for a school accredited for federal financial aid programs. Use the Department of Education’s College Scorecard to compare schools’ typical costs, graduation rates and the median salary of former students.

What it is: Online short-term and degree programs offered by online-only schools and brick-and-mortar colleges with online programs.

Also known as: Distance learning, massive open online courses (MOOCs).

Typical length: Varies (it depends on the credential that you're pursuing).

Credentials: Certificate, associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Who is it best for: Online college can allow you the flexibility to learn on your own schedule and pace, as long as you’re self-motivated enough to keep up with the work. It can be a good option for parents, full-time workers and students with disabilities.

Where you'll take classes: Depending on your school’s offerings and your location and preference, you can take all your courses online or take some online and some in-person.

How to choose a program: Research the school carefully before enrolling to ensure it’s affordable, properly accredited and has a track record of preparing students for success.

What it is: They're in person or online short-term, intensive training programs in web and mobile development, design or security.

Also known as: Coding school.

Typical length: Short-term, usually less than four months.

Credentials: Certificate.

What you need to know: If you're looking to launch a career in design and building websites and apps, a coding bootcamp could fit your needs. Programs are offered by for-profit, private companies, not accredited colleges or trade schools. That means you can't get federal student aid to help pay for the programs. They'll vary in cost by location and whether you attend in person or online.

How to find a worthwhile program: Bootcamps are private companies that aren't subject to government oversight. So you'll need to do your research to find a reputable program. Start with the Council on Integrity in Results Reporting, a nonprofit that tracks graduation and job outcomes among coding bootcamps. You can also read online reviews and news stories and contact alums via LinkedIn for feedback.

These are by no means the only college alternatives. You can also enlist in the military, start a business or, to gain experience and earn money while learning what you enjoy and are good at, get an entry-level job. If you decide you need any schooling:

Submit the FAFSA first. The first step is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, to see what federal grants, work-study and student loans you qualify for.

Consider federal loans before private ones. If you must take out student loans, exhaust your federal options before borrowing private student loans, because federal loans have more borrower protections.

Be cautious about financing programs. If you attend a private technical school, you may find the school offers its own loan programs or the equivalent of a “buy now, pay later” financing option. Use these with caution since rates may be much higher than federal student loans.

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Want a more traditional college experience?

A bachelor's degree is usually worth the cost — if you graduate and are able to pay back your debt.

Learn more

Alternatives to College

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PATHWAYS

JOB TRAINING OPTIONS

Alternatives
to College