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, âsuccessâ was redefined. A four-year college degree wasnât just one optionâit became the option. Trade paths were quietly downgraded, perceived as fallback choices for those who didnât âmeasure up.â 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 milestoneâpart 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 consequencesâand growing cracks in its foundation.
The College ROI Isnât What It Used to Be
The cost of a four-year degree has skyrocketedâquadrupling 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, itâs deeply negative.
Career Education Offers a Different Kind of Return
Career educationâwhether through trade schools, certificate programs, or specialized career collegesâflips the equation. These programs are:
- Faster (often completed in 12â24 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 peersâwithout a mountain of debt.
ROI Isnât Just Financial
The return on education shouldnât be measured in dollars alone. Itâs 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, itâs still treated as a âsecond-bestâ option.
Is It Time to Flip the Narrative?
Career education isnât a fallbackâitâs a forward move. Itâs strategic. Itâs accessible. And for many, itâs the fastest way to a better life.
As we continue this series, weâll explore why trades and career-focused programs lost the marketing war to traditional collegesâand how we can reclaim the dignity and appeal of skilled, purpose-driven work.
Because the goal isnât just education. Itâs education that works.
At Dealing With Debt, we believe in helping people make smart, sustainable choices for their futureâwhether thatâs managing finances or choosing the right path to a career. We’re here to reduce stress, build confidence, and create lasting stabilityâone budget, and one opportunity, at a time.
Next Up: âChanging Perceptions of Career Schools: From Back-Up Plan to First Choiceâ
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