Trade school vs college debate: I picked wrong and it cost me $30k

I spent 4 years and $30,000 on a communications degree I never used. Meanwhile my buddy finished welding school in 18 months for $8k and landed a job making $55k right out. I'm not saying college is worthless, but why do we push everyone toward 4-year degrees when trades pay better right now? Has anyone else done the math on what they actually got back from their education choice?

3 comments

3 Comments

davis.noah25d ago

Has anybody else noticed how weird it is that we act like trades are a backup plan instead of a real career? I see so many people in my neighborhood who went to college and got degrees they don't use, but the electrician and plumber guys are always busy and making good money. It's like we forgot that not everyone needs a four year degree to be successful, and that's totally fine. We push kids so hard toward college without even mentioning trades as an option, and then they end up with debt and no clear path forward. The real lesson here is that we should treat both paths as equally valid from the start.

karen36124d ago

Oh man, I've watched so many people sink 50 grand into a degree they hate while I'm turning down work because I'm booked out three weeks. If you're handy at all, look into an apprenticeship program in your area - they pay you while you learn, no debt required.

diana61724d agoTop Commenter

Figured that out after dropping a grand on a useless certification I barely use... could've bought a nice set of tools and actually learned something that pays the bills instead.