In the last decade, many high schools have begun to push 4-year colleges much more. The reasoning behind this is that many of our college counselors think that, with higher education, you will have a more successful future. Simply put, this may not be entirely true. While a higher college education can be beneficial in your future, there are other paths available. Some other education pathways you could take include Trade School, Community College, learning on the job, and Industry-Specific Education Programs. 

In addition to options outside of a 4-year college, there are also some disadvantages to pushing 4-year colleges. Some of these include more stress throughout high school, high college expenses, dropouts, and underemployed college graduates. 

While all of this is true, we must also consider the benefits of pushing a 4-year college education. Some of these benefits include more job opportunities, higher earning potential, lower poverty and unemployment rates, higher chances of having health insurance, and higher chances of saving for retirement. 

Based on this information, pushing 4-year colleges in high school is something that could benefit students, but there should also be other options pushed. In addition to providing college information, schools should provide information and counseling about trade schools, community colleges, and other options. 

Students feel so much pressure to go to these 4-year colleges, but there are many more options now than there were when people’s parents were in high school. Many students may be leaning away from 4-year colleges as these options are created. A story by Nicole Beauvais stated that “It is difficult to take an idea firmly rooted in people’s minds, such as college being the key to success, and transform it to be more inclusive. That makes it understandable as to why students feel pressure towards college. People are going to continue to believe what they have always believed, even if it is not beneficial to others.” Due to this pressure from admin and guardians, students could have the mindset that 4-year colleges are their only options. This is clearly not the case, and this needs to be clarified to high school students.

A Global Citizen Year article claims, “Unfortunately, there are people who will tell you that there’s only one way to do things (this “only way” often involves a four-year degree and working at the same company for thirty years). In reality, there are many options other than college and a single career track. University immediately after high school — while a great choice for many — is not the best choice for everyone. There’s alternative schooling with a lower tuition price tag.” Some of these options include Trade School, Community College, Learning On The Job, Volunteer Service, Gap Semester/Year, Travel, Entrepreneurial Pursuits, Online College, Work Colleges, Technical, College, Apprenticeship, Coding, Bootcamps, Entry-Level Positions, Realtor License, Coaching, Military, and Industry-Specific Education Programs. It’s clear that there are so many more possibilities aside from 4-year colleges. And some of these options may be beneficial to different people. Not everyone is cut out for a 4-year college education, and that’s why there have been so many more options in recent years.