The Hard Truth: College isn't for Everyone

Growing up, a 4+ year college degree was never a question. It was the plan.

Some of that came from my parents genuinely wanting a better future for me and my sister — a better chance at success than they had.

The other part was cultural. “Go to college or you’ll fall behind.” That message echoed from counselors, teachers, family, neighbors, and just about everyone else.

To be fair, the people drilling that into our heads had experienced firsthand the success a college degree could bring. At the time, that degree really was the key to upward mobility — and no one was presenting real alternatives that could compete.

However, even then, college didn’t have to be the only solution. Somewhere along the line it became the default — which isn’t always the best fit.

The System That Made College the Only Option

Above it was mentioned that “college was the solution,” especially for success. High schools pushed it, our peers ingrained it into us, and our parents, for the most part, only knew that as the path to stability.

Trades and alternative paths were viewed as “backup plans” — routes you took only if you weren’t taking your future seriously or couldn’t make it into college (a different topic for a different day).

After all, success was defined as a cushy job with an office overlooking the city skyline. How did you make that happen? By earning a degree.

Here’s the problem — that’s not necessarily the case anymore, and younger generations are aware of it. College enrollment peaked in 2010 and has declined roughly 8.5% as of 2024, even with a slight uptick in 2025. According to a March 2025 update from the Education Data Initiative, enrollment is still significantly below its peak.

The Shift

Students are increasingly skeptical about the actual value of a degree. College costs have skyrocketed while wages haven’t kept pace. That reality has caused many to step back and reevaluate their next move.

Student loan debt is a generational concern and continues to grow. The 2025 average federal student loan debt per borrower is just under $40,000. Nationally, total student loan debt sits at approximately $1.8 trillion, impacting roughly 43 million Americans, according to a report from Best Colleges.

It’s not just about debt. Students are weighing long-term outcomes — including the fact that nearly 50% of college graduates work outside their field of study or pursue careers that don’t require a degree at all.

This isn’t a hot take.

It’s a measurable shift.

Skilled trades, certification programs, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, and direct-to-work pathways are no longer fringe options. In many industries, they offer strong earning potential without long-term debt.

The Real Problem

One path doesn't fit everyone. People have different styles of learning, they have different goals, One path doesn’t fit everyone.

People have different learning styles. Different goals. Different financial situations that may call for different paths. There’s a real risk of putting someone in the wrong environment because we believe that’s how they become “successful.”

That misalignment can lead to burnout, unwanted debt, or hitting a stall point in a career.

College itself isn’t bad — pushing someone down the wrong path for your definition of success is.

What We Should Be Saying Instead

It comes down to options and the future someone envisions for themselves.

Do they 100% know what they want to do? Absolutely not. But they often have a better sense of what works for them than any parent, guardian, or counselor can dictate.

Start with this:

• Ask, “What do you want your life to look like?”

• Encourage exploration before commitment

• Normalize non-college success stories

• Give equal weight to all viable paths

Most importantly, find what they enjoy and where they show natural strengths — then explore how that translates into a career.

College isn’t the enemy. In fact, of the things I regret, college is not one of them. If I could do it again, I might choose a different program — but I’d still go.

What is the enemy then?

Blindly treating college as the only option.

People can find success regardless of their path. They might need guidance. They might need exposure to possibilities. Some might already know what they want to do.

The most important factor isn’t the path — it’s having a support system that helps them succeed on whichever path they choose.