My wife and I have college degrees. My daughter has a college degree. My son has a university degree and is a university professor. However, I don’t think that a college degree is the only option for a high paying job.
Many believe that getting a high-paying job requires a college degree. That is simply not true and it is certainly not automatic. The reality is that millions of Americans currently owe student loans. The numbers continue to rise, and it typically takes a person many, many years to pay off those loans.
The statistics are staggering!
Here is a quote from an article I recently read:
“You’ve probably heard the statistics: Americans owe more than $ 1.45 trillion in student loan debt, spread across roughly 44 million borrowers. That’s roughly $ 620 billion more than total US credit card debt. In fact, the average graduating class of 2016 has $ 37,172 in student loan debt, up six percent from last year. “
Years ago, while working for CBS radio (where my college degree meant nothing), I spoke with numerous interns who were currently in college. I always asked them what their major was and what they planned to do after graduation. Sadly, from their answers, he was convinced that most of them shouldn’t even have gotten into college.
The mantra, “a college degree means a good, well-paying job,” has caused many people to take on massive debt. And after graduation, too many end up in a job that is not the high-paying job they thought they would have. Then they spend years and years trying to pay off their college loans.
There is another option
A few weeks ago I heard a man on the radio say that he did not have a college degree, but that he was making a very good six-figure income. He wore no suit and tie and sat in a cozy cubicle inside an impressive and elegant office building. He was an elevator repairman.
He explained how some people in those elegant and impressive office buildings often mistook him for the janitor or some other type of non-office worker. He did not care what other people thought. He shared that when he comes home each night, he doesn’t worry about money and he has no college loans to pay off.
There are numerous six-figure jobs that do not require a college degree. Yes, they involve training, but the cost of the training is a fraction of the four-year college tuition. What kind of jobs?
“Network managers and IT managers employed by businesses have stable 9 to 5 jobs with good salaries, benefits, and retirement accounts. Salaries for IT managers range from $ 53,477 to $ 125,101.
Depending on the city of residence, court reporters can earn between $ 29,995 and $ 104,000.
Construction manager salaries range from $ 41,562 to $ 130,845.
Salaries for fire chiefs range from $ 42,096 to $ 119,250.
Air traffic controllers have great salaries, up to $ 158,966 on average.
Plumber salaries can go up to $ 103,731 and up, depending on specialties and training.
Radiation therapists must have a two-year associate’s degree or certificate in radiation therapy, but do not need a four-year college degree. Radiation therapists can earn up to $ 116,000 a year. “
Let High School Students Know!
I am not at all against getting a college degree. It is definitely the absolutely correct and necessary path for some, but not for all. It is truly heartbreaking to see millions with so much student loan debt and still not earning the salary they thought they would get due to their college degree.
God expects us to be wise with our finances. In the United States, student loan debt is $ 1.4 trillion and credit card debt is $ 764 billion. It seems that there is a great lack of understanding regarding money.
Options other than college should be explained in detail to high school students. Also, our young people really need solid, Bible-based information about money. I highly recommend Roger Braker’s book, Poverty Vs Wealth as a good starting point.
And if you’re in debt, I also recommend the many tools Dave Ramsey offers, including Financial Peace University.
I have been in debt before and thankfully, except for my mortgage, I am debt free. Anyone in debt knows that it is not freedom; it is enslaving. Learning about money and finances, and applying sound biblical principles, will pay huge dividends, financially and mentally.
Quote from the article:
A Look at the Shocking Student Loan Debt Statistics for 2021
Six-figure jobs without a college degree: http://www.moneycrashers.com/six-figure-income-jobs-without-having-a-degree/
