Rethinking the College ROI

Why Career Education Deserves a Fresh Look

Remember when graduating high school and learning a trade was a perfectly respectable, often celebrated, life path?  Wanting to become a mechanic, an electrician, a dental tech, or a machinist were suggested paths to building a stable, prosperous future. These roles were seen as skilled, essential, and worthy.

But somewhere along the way, that narrative changed.

Suddenly, “success” was redefined. A four-year college degree wasn’t just one option—it became the option. Trade paths were quietly downgraded, perceived as fallback choices for those who didn’t “measure up.” Students were told: Get into college, or risk falling behind for life.

How did we get here?

The Rise of College as the Golden Ticket

After World War II, the GI Bill helped make college accessible to millions. During the 1980s and 1990s, as the U.S. shifted toward a knowledge-based economy, policymakers and education leaders doubled down on the idea that a college degree was the optimal path to prosperity.  More employers began requiring them.  At the same time, industries requiring hands-on skills were framed as lower-status, and less future-proof.  Machines would automate you out.

By the early 2000s, a four-year degree had become a cultural milestone—part of the American Dream. High school counselors, teachers, and parents echoed the message: college is the goal. High schools became obsessed with college placement statistics.

I believe that message came with unintended consequences—and growing cracks in its foundation.

The College ROI Isn’t What It Used to Be

The cost of a four-year degree has skyrocketed—quadrupling over the past 40 years, even after adjusting for inflation.  Undergraduate enrollment has more than doubled during the same period.  Meanwhile, wage growth for new graduates has been largely flat. Combine that with student debt now topping $1.7 trillion, and it’s no wonder people are asking tough questions about value.

For many graduates, the equation looks like this:

• Degree in hand
• Tens, maybe even hundreds of thousands in debt
• Uncertain job prospects

The ROI of that path is no longer guaranteed. In fact, for some, it’s deeply negative.

Career Education Offers a Different Kind of Return

Career education—whether through trade schools, certificate programs, or specialized career colleges—flips the equation. These programs are:

• Faster (often completed in 12–24 months)
• More affordable
• Skills-focused
• Designed around job placement

Graduates of high-quality career programs often step directly into stable, high-demand roles in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, IT, construction, and logistics. Many begin earning sooner than their four-year peers—without a mountain of debt.

ROI Isn’t Just Financial

The return on education shouldn’t be measured in dollars alone. It’s also about:

• Time-to-career: How quickly can you start earning?
• Certainty of path: Is there a direct connection between your education and a job?
• Sustainability: Can you build a long-term career, not just land a first job?
• Well-being: Does your work support a healthy, stable life?

Career education often wins on these metrics. And yet, it’s still treated as a “second-best” option.

Is It Time to Flip the Narrative?

Career education isn’t a fallback—it’s a forward move. It’s strategic. It’s accessible. And for many, it’s the fastest way to a better life.

As we continue this series, we’ll explore why trades and career-focused programs lost the marketing war to traditional colleges—and how we can reclaim the dignity and appeal of skilled, purpose-driven work.

Because the goal isn’t just education. It’s education that works.

At Dealing With Debt, we believe in helping people make smart, sustainable choices for their future—whether that’s managing finances or choosing the right path to a career. We’re here to reduce stress, build confidence, and create lasting stability—one budget, and one opportunity, at a time.

Next Up: “Changing Perceptions of Career Schools: From Back-Up Plan to First Choice”