Why These Gen Zers Are Ditching College Degrees For Blue-Collar Careers

The landscape of higher education in the United States is undergoing a seismic shift. A historic drop in college enrollment rates, particularly among first-year students, has sparked discussions and debates around the value of a four-year degree in today’s complex job market. With many schools reporting significant enrollment drops, the questions surrounding the viability and financial sustainability of traditional higher education are becoming increasingly pertinent.

For decades, a college degree was heralded as the golden ticket to a secure and prosperous future. The cultural messaging surrounding education has been clear: finish high school, apply to colleges, and earn that degree. Back in the day, parents and educators consistently urged students to prioritize college as the path to success. The narrative emphasized hard work in elementary and middle school leading directly to the ultimate reward of higher education. However, over the past two decades, achieving that milestone has become a daunting challenge for many.

The escalating costs of college tuition have made higher education less attainable. According to recent statistics, the average tuition for a four-year public college has surged by over 140% since the late 1990s, while private universities have seen a dramatic increase of about 110%. This inflation in costs has forced many families to reconsider their college plans, especially when the average total cost of attending a four-year public institution now exceeds $110,000, jumping to around $225,000 for private schools. The prospect of graduating with crippling student debt has left many young people feeling disillusioned about the traditional college experience.

Moreover, the job market itself appears to be shifting beneath the feet of recent graduates. Companies like Google and Amazon have made headlines for large-scale layoffs, raising questions about the reliability of jobs that once demanded a degree. As a result, Gen Z—the youngest generation in the workforce—is thoughtfully reassessing their career trajectories. Many are opting for blue-collar jobs and skilled trades, areas that often do not necessitate a college degree. This new trend signifies not just a change in philosophy, but also reflects a pragmatic approach to securing employment and financial stability.

This change is epitomized by inspiring stories like that of Morgan Bradbury. Raised with the expectation of pursuing a traditional college path in fields like engineering or physical therapy, Morgan found her true calling in welding. While earning an Eagle Scout merit badge, Morgan’s fascination with welding ignited a passion for a hands-on career. Rather than adhere to conventional wisdom, she enrolled in a nine-month welding certification program at Universal Technical Institute. Although the $22,000 tuition was not trivial, it represented a fraction of the cost associated with a four-year degree, while still providing her with a pathway to immediate employment.

Upon completing her program, Morgan secured a job as a third-class welder with BAE Systems before her graduation, earning a salary of approximately $57,000 annually. Now, at just 21 years old, she has advanced to a second-class welder, working on U.S. Navy ships in Norfolk, Virginia. Her experiences demonstrate that a promising and lucrative career can be realized outside the confines of traditional academia.

This wave of blue-collar enthusiasm is not isolated; data reveals that about 2 million fewer students are enrolling in traditional four-year universities compared to earlier years, with vocational school enrollment showing a remarkable increase of 18%. The labor market’s growing need for skilled workers is both a cause and effect of this trend. For the last two decades, there has been a gradual decline in interest in trades, partly due to economic downturns like the Great Recession. However, recent federal investments in infrastructure, particularly through initiatives like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, have ignited renewed interest in these essential fields.

As skilled labor positions become increasingly in demand due to an aging workforce, Gen Z workers are navigating this landscape with agility. For instance, take the story of Chase Gallagher, who started his own landscaping business at just 18 years old. Instead of pursuing higher education, Chase utilized his entrepreneurial spirit to grow a successful enterprise over the years. By the time he graduated high school, he had made a significant sum—$120,000 in savings—allowing him to reinvest in his own business rather than accrue student debt. In 2024, his landscaping venture, CMG Landscaping, surpassed $1 million in sales, demonstrating the potential of self-driven career paths.

The trend towards blue-collar careers underscores a significant cultural shift. Many young people are defining success on their own terms, opting for viable options that both fulfill their passions and allow for financial independence. As Chase explains, he has ambitions that extend far beyond landscaping; he envisions merging businesses into a private equity firm, thus broadening his impact in the industry. Similarly, Morgan is interested in extending her skills by encouraging more women to enter welding and other trades, recognizing the importance of inclusivity in these fields. Their journeys emphasize that skilled trades can lead to satisfying careers while also providing pathways to entrepreneurship.

While factors like tariffs and market fluctuations may pose challenges to skilled labor sectors in the near future, the imperative remains clear: as older generations retire and new investments in infrastructure continue, the opportunities for skilled tradespeople are poised for growth. Gen Z’s reimagining of success—inclusive of vocational training and a strong entrepreneurial spirit—may very well define a new economic landscape, one where academic credentials are just one of many paths to fulfillment and financial success.

In summary, the shifting trends in education and career paths reflect a broader reevaluation of values among younger generations. As the traditional college route faces criticism for its financial burden and uncertain job outcomes, the call for skilled trades and vocational training is growing louder. This transformation invites us to rethink how we define success, training, and entrepreneurship in a rapidly changing economy, ultimately paving the way for a diverse array of career opportunities that cater to the talents and interests of the next generation.