I’m not saying that a college degree is valueless. But, you don’t have to go to college to be successful. While your peers are still in college, you can build and run a business. Or spend the money on buying a house.

Your school guidance counselor will tell you that going to college is the key to success. But, a degree does not guarantee a big paycheck or a secure career.

It really depends on what you want to do.

Before you sign up to spend a lot of money and years of your life going to college, do some planning.

What do you want to do?

A lot of things people go to college for don’t actually need a degree.

You don’t need a degree to be a computer coder. Or a chef. Or a lot of other careers.

Air traffic controllers, bankers, mortgage and real estate brokers and writers don’t need degrees.

Do you know how much it is going to cost you to pay off your student loan? The average graduate faces over $350 a month in student loan payment obligation. And it never goes away until it is paid off. You can lose everything in a bankruptcy and still owe your student loans.

There are alternatives.

College Alternatives

Tech or Vocational School

Have you thought about being an automotive mechanic? Or an EMT, an emergency medical technician? These are both good careers with skills taught at Vocational School.

Apprenticeships or On-the-job training

Community health workers typically need 1 month or less of experience on the job and informal training.

Certificate programs

Truck Driving, Cosmetology and Culinary Arts are taught at Vocational Schools.

What about Nursing or Medical Assisting? In less than a year you can earn a nursing assistant certificate.

Look at your options.