These alternative education options provide quality education without the hefty price tag of traditional big colleges. By exploring these options, students can achieve their academic and career goals without accumulating massive student debt. This knowledge empowers individuals to make informed decisions, prioritize financial stability, and still receive a valuable education, all while avoiding the financial burden that often comes with traditional college degrees.
1. Trade School
A trade school is another type of education that usually lasts one or two years and earns you a certificate in something specialized. These kinds of schools are private, and usually prepare a student to enter a specific career after training. The benefit of attending a trade school is that the training is a lot more specific and geared toward a specific career. This means you are almost guaranteed a job once you graduate.
2. Apprenticeship
An apprenticeship is a type of training that is sponsored by a company; you are paid to work a job while you are also educating yourself at the same time. Apprenticeships are usually in the construction, manufacturing and healthcare field. Examples of companies offering apprenticeships are Walmart, CVS Health, and Hertz. The advantage of apprenticeships is that you are literally being paid to learn!
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3. Online School
Online school is pretty much self-explanatory: instead of learning in-person, you’re taking classes online. Some online schools offer certificates, bachelor’s and master’s, and many mix in-person classes with online classes.
The main benefits of online school is that you can study at your own pace and on your own schedule. It’s also a lot more affordable and you have many more options in terms of classes and schedule.
4. Community College
Community colleges are cheaper alternatives to the regular four year universities. They are local public schools that offer training programs as well as associate degrees to those who want to transition to a four year college later on. Every state has their own community colleges – simply search for community colleges online and you’ll find a list of the closest ones.
5. Online Certifications
Online certifications are online courses that train you in a specific skill and then offer you a certificate of completion. These could be coding schools, online colleges and other types of specialty courses. If you want to build programming skills, for example, an online certification is a great way to get started.
6. Start A Business
Instead of studying business in college, starting a business yourself can be a great way to learn the ins and outs of business management and entrepreneurship. Thanks to the internet and the large amount of books, online courses and resources, the barrier to building a business has never been lower. With just $100, you can easily set up a website and start selling products, services, or other people’s products.
7. Military
Another popular alternative to college is joining the military. For one, you do not need a college degree to attend and the military can even cover your costs to get an education through various government programs.
However, when you join the military you’ll be trained for different career fields so you can easily find a job after your service is complete. But you have quite a bit of options to consider if you decide to serve your country.
50 Super Simple Side Hustle Ideas
Choosing a side hustle can be fun compared to getting a part-time job because they allow you to pursue what you’re actually interested in, like perhaps fitness or writing, while providing you flexibility!
Read more: 50 Super Simple Side Hustle Ideas (& How to Make Them Work)
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