Many years ago the idea of going to college was to get a degree to be able to find a better paying job and be more marketable. Recently there was a show on TV that pointed out the drawbacks of going to college such as getting stuck with massive debt and where a degree didn't guarantee a job much less better pay.

Any opinions?

Depends on the person and the degree

Depends on the trade. Welders, electricians, plumbers, etc. can easily make more than those with a college degree. It also depends on what field of study the degree was earned. Accountants, engineers, and the like, can make more. Benefits also play a role. So many variables. The main things are to be able to support yourself and your family and enjoy your work.

Having said all that, most trades that pay better than those requiring a college degree are very labor intensive.

It will cost a lot less to get a certificate than it will a 4 year degree.

depends on the person. Some folks are not made for college, and a trade school is a better route for them.

I always like the Registered Nurse plan.

2 years at a community college and get an associates degree and sit for you NCLEX exam, pass it and become a RN.

Go anywhere in the USA and work three 12 hour shift per week and your off 4 days per week, and most hospitals let you self schedule

There are trades where you don't need any schooling, just sign up as an apprentice and work and get paid and learn. Kinda like going to college and getting paid while going there.

I discussed this with our administration several years ago because we only focused on sending students to college. Now we have 7 different academies that gear our students towards a profession rather than just college.

Why come out of college already owing 100K without even having a job. Now if you are heading into a field which requires a degree, go fo it.

Get a job that will pay for your college degree

totally this.

These days the trades are lacking bad. you could easily have your own company in 5-7 years if you get with a good company and work hard in your field. The college can be better for some if you are going after a degree like nurse, lawyer or Dr. I will say you can make more in some trade fields if you own your company. I think it all depends on what you want out of life and hard you are willing to work to get it.

Regardless of college or trade cert there is a need to educate Generation Z on what it means to work to earn a living. Work ethic plays a big role in the trades and a poor work ethic cannot out run student loan debt.

I would not say one is better than the other as it depends so much on the individual. A university degree will include many things not directly associated with a career while a technical degree is more about the specialty. It is about more than just the money.

I would be hesitant today to steer my kids into college and I don't even have to say why. Aside from the obvious problem with colleges and universities today, both of my daughters graduated in the 90s with B.S. degrees and one has a Masters. Neither of them are working today in their field of college study. So it is rare when an 18 year old knows what they want to do "when they grow up". For that reason I think military service is a good option. They have some great schools, most that would be in line with successful civilian careers. Medical technology, mechanical or electrical engineering, counciling, automotive, logistics, intelligence, security, etc. Trade schools and active working apprenticeships also an excellent choice. A lot of doctors and veterinarians that I know had prior military service.

What about IT (Information Technology).

Sure seems the USA has a huge need for these guys, they are importing people from India and Pakistan all the time. I see them living in $300K to $500K houses and they tend to be a one worker family and the wife stays home.

I don't think any college is needed for that

I took the trade school route in Machine Shop Technology and Practice. I had a job before graduation and within 6 months had gone to work for a large company. This lead to an apprentice program to become a journeyman mechanic then on to becoming an API Inspector (American Petroleum).

Knew I wasn't going to go to college so this was a great opportunity for me. Start to finish in 14 months and will be retiring this year after 42 plus years.