When 22-year-old Nush Ahmed decided to attend a career technical program 800 miles from her home in Buffalo, New York, she went against her South Asian immigrant parents’ expectations. They had hoped she’d stay close to home and pursue a traditional four-year degree—ideally in medicine or engineering. Instead, she enrolled in a technical school to pursue a hands-on career in manufacturing.
“I really wanted to do this, even though it was hard for my parents to accept at first,” Ahmed said. “But I’m glad I did.”
Ahmed is part of a growing group of students choosing trade and technical schools over traditional colleges, especially amid concerns about student debt and a shifting job market.
A Shift in Student Priorities
A new survey from American Student Assistance found that nearly 45% of high school students aren’t interested in attending college. Instead, many are looking into trade schools, apprenticeships, or technical boot camps, with 38% seriously considering these options.
Parents, however, are still hesitant. While 82% support college, only 66% back non-degree pathways. And 70% said they were more comfortable with their kids skipping school entirely than enrolling in vocational programs.
For many young people, finances are a major factor. Andrew Townsend, 19, from Golden, Colorado, said college didn’t make sense for him.
“I wanted to start working right away,” he said. “I can’t sit still in a classroom. I want to be hands-on.”
During high school, Townsend landed an apprenticeship with Lexmark through his school’s career and technical education program. That turned into an 18-month internship, setting him on a path he finds both fulfilling and financially smart.
“I may go to college later,” he said, “but for now I’m focusing on building a better life for myself.”
Comparing Costs
The rising cost of college is part of the reason students are rethinking their options. According to the Education Data Initiative, in-state tuition at public colleges now averages $9,750 a year, while out-of-state tuition can reach $28,386. Private schools average more than $38,000 annually.
By comparison, a full trade school program costs an average of $15,070, based on recent federal data.
The Trump Administration’s Push for Vocational Education
Former President Donald Trump has championed trade schools as an alternative to traditional college. In 2018, he signed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, giving more funding to state and local programs. More recently, his administration rolled back Biden-era reporting requirements for these programs, aiming to make access and funding easier.
“We’re training young people with real skills for real careers,” Trump said in a recent statement. “This is what the 21st-century economy needs.”
Trade School Success Stories
Ahmed, now a graduate of the Universal Technical Institute in North Carolina (formerly NASCAR Tech), works at a precision manufacturing company that specializes in 3D printing. She earns about $60,000 a year and hosts a podcast to spotlight other young people exploring trades.
While she once felt frustrated by her parents’ insistence on college, she now looks back with understanding.
Her father, Shuhel Ahmed, agrees.
“At first, I thought college was the only way,” he said. “But after seeing how well she’s done, I’d tell other parents: let your kids try what they’re passionate about. If it doesn’t work, they can always adjust—but let them follow their dreams.”
Bottom line: As tuition climbs and alternative career paths expand, schools, parents, and policymakers may need to rethink how they talk to students about life after high school. College is one path—but it’s no longer the only one.
