Exploring

Alternatives to a
traditional college
education
Issue Guide

Overview
Though going to college can be one of the most valuable and transformative experiences in
ones life, it is evident that the rising costs has made college unaffordable or nonessential for
many. As Senator Bernie Sanders said during his recent presidential election campaign, The
cost of college education is so high that many young people are giving up their dream of going
to college, while many others are graduating deeply in debt. Over a period of several
decades, tuition rates have skyrocketed at a much faster pace than wages. According to
CNBC, tuition at Harvard University has jumped from $2,600 to $45,000 in 43 years. From
1971-2012, college tuition at public universities rose at a staggering rate of 259%, while a rise
in wages lagged far behind (ProCon.org). Millions of teenagers upon graduating from high
school make the transition to college each fall, often paying for a significant portion of their
education themselves. After graduation, many end up in mountains of debt that can be difficult
to recover from, especially in recent times of economic instability. The average college
graduate in 2016 finished school with approximately $37,000 in debt. Debt like this can be
crippling and stay with graduates for decades while incurring interest. College graduates may
run into trouble financing major purchases later in life, such as homes, cars, and it may even
restrict their ability to invest in retirement funds and more. The fear surrounding taking on
significant amounts has caused people around the country to reconsider going to college, and
explore other options.
 With rising college costs and
the fear of debt, many have
turned to alternative forms of
education. These alternative
forms of education can still
supply students with valuable
skills and turn focus to more of
a career based education,
rather than a holistic approach
often seen at typical colleges.
College alternatives have been
on the rise over the past
several years, as more and
more people are rejecting the
idea of going to a traditional
four year school. The
alternatives can allow young
adults to focus on fields they
find interesting and enjoy,
without taking classes in
subjects that do not concern
them, all while saving money.
In addition, areas of study
outside of university like
plumbing or welding tend to
lead to jobs that are in
demand, which can guarantee
job security and financial
stability.
Over the course of the
next hour, we will explore the
issue of rising college, and go
into depth about some of
these college alternatives.
The three alternatives we will
focus on today are technical
and trade schools, going to
college abroad, and pursuing
an education online. Each of
these options has been
thoroughly researched to get
the best information possible.
We intend to lay out the pros
and cons of each alternative,
all while getting input from
attendees at the event. We
thank you for attending this
deliberation on the rising
costs of college and
alternatives to a traditional
college education, and hope
you find the experience
informational.
Approach 1

Technical and Two Year Schools

The first alternative to the traditional four
year college that we would like to propose is
trade, tech, and vocational schools. These
schools are significantly lighter in terms of
time commitment, general education, and full
academic training. Instead, the purpose of
these schools is to save time and money for
those who desire to learn technical skills of a
skilled trade.

Pros
Financial Benefits-A degree from a
technical school can cost up to a
hundred thousand dollars less than a
degree from a traditional four-year
college. The problem with traditional four
year colleges is that they require extra
money and time for extraneous credits
that are not related to ones major.
Cons
Employement-Lower earning potential
and greater risk of unemployment. A
bachelors degree holder earns nearly
$18,000 more per year and they face on
average roughly 4% less unemployment
compared to non degree holders, making
an argument for the value of a traditional
college education.

Career-Focused-Students are more Extra Costs-Many add-on costs, including

focused on their major or areas of interest
in trade and technical schools. Training at
a technical college tends to be more
hands-on than that offered at a university.
Thus, a student has the skills and
experience required to be successful in
the chosen career by graduation.
program and/or equipment costs. A tool
and die student, for instance, is often
required to purchase hundreds or
thousands of dollars in equipment and
tools to use during their program. Other
programs may involve materials and
workshop fees or required participation in
professional industry associations.

"Only 59% of students who begin at four year

institutions actually graduate" - Value Colleges
 Pros
Smaller Classes-Students receive more
personal attention than students in four
year colleges. More personal attention
and smaller class sizes again allows
further hands-on experience which is
extremely useful for students when
choosing careers such as cosmetology
or computer technology.
Cons
Narrow Scope of Learning-other
educational opportunities can be limited.
Generally speaking, an individual hits the
ground running, learning only what is
necessary to achieve their certificate,
creating a less well-rounded education.
This can also lead to a lack of flexibility if
one decides they do not enjoy the trade.

Career Advice-Technical colleges tend

Less Financial Aid-Tougher to get
to have more focus on career
scholarships/government subsidies to
development advice for students than
attend. Though the cost is often lower
academic schools offer. This usually
overall, it is difficult for students who
means greater number of career
demonstrate need for financial aid to
development workshops take place or
actually get what they need.
more staff members are available to
advise students.

"The fastest growing occupations in the United States such

as dental hygienists and veterinary technologists require
only a community college education" - Value Colleges
 Real Life
Example

Some other countries have already employed and implemented

the idea of trades schools. Germany, for example, allows students to
choose, after middle school, between pursuing a higher education, in
the form of a traditional high school, or to pursue a specific trade,
where they enter a vocational school. In an article from the New York
Times, they note a specific example of master-class chef Claus-Peter
Lumpp, who found himself learning to become a chef at the age of 16.
Lumpp was afforded this apprenticeship through Germanys school
system duale ausbildung, meaning dual training system. This system
of schooling combines apprenticeship in the workplace with lessons
from a state-run school.
With Germanys system, few people find themselves without
work, with the unemployment rate sitting at less than 6% during 2013.
Comparing that to the US with its unemployment of roughly 15%, the
difference is astonishing. The option of vocational schooling is
incredibly appealing to young Germans with as many as 50% of them
choosing to pursue a trade over higher education. This type of system
has a kind of freedom to it, allowing students more choice than in a
cookie-cutter education system, such as the US. If the US wants to
keep students engaged in education, it cannot continue treating
students as if their goals are all the same.
Approach2

College Abroad
As of 2012, the Institute of
International Education reported that
there were more than 46,500 U.S.
students pursuing a degrees abroad.
In recent years, this number has been
on the rise, as the tuition costs at
American institutes are increasing as
well. A majority of U.S. students
seeking international schools go to
English-speaking countries, like the
United Kingdom and Canada, but
many countries such as Germany and
France offer English-language degree
programs as well. This is becoming
an attractive option for Americans as
they are able to obtain their degrees
with a fraction of the price they would
pay at a U.S. school or even with no
tuition costs at all. According to
Viemont, there are at least 40 colleges
in Europe that offer bachelors
degrees taught in English at no tuition
cost. Germany, Iceland, Norway and
Finland are among the countries to
offer free tuition, even to international
students.
 Pros
Cost- Students who go to college
in different countries to pay half the
price down to no tuition at all,
without sacrificing the quality of the
education.
Cultural Awareness- Studying abroad
can increase a job candidates
awareness, social skills and cultural
sensitivity. Many students wish to
travel anyway through study abroad
programs. This is a chance for the
adventurous to become more
independent and be immersed in a
new culture and language.
Unique-Attending college in other
countries can make your graduate
school application stand out.
Applying-The application process
is usually not difficult. Many
international schools accept the
Common App. Also, U.S. federal
financial aid may be available
abroad.
Less Time-Bachelors degree
programs are typically only 3 years
in Canada and Europe, which
results in 25% savings.This is
because the number of credits to
graduate is different as students
jump right into coursework for their
major.
Cons
Cost-High costs associated with
traveling home for break, living
expenses in foreign countries,
transaction costs, and currency
conversion rate are all factors to
consider.
Adjustment-There can be difficulty
adjusting to new culture and
language. Education systems and
academic styles may be different.
Job Challenges-There can be
difficulty getting a job in the U.S.
after graduation. Also there
isn't large alumni network in the
U.S. to use for job contacts and
networking.
Application Differences-The
student must know his or her
intended major when applying due
to a stronger subject focus. This
diverges from the U.S. ideology of
encouraging students to try
different courses and major
flexibility.
Social Drawbacks-Students also
end up missing out on the
traditional college experience:
football games, dorms, greek life,
ect.
 Real Life
Example

Lori Gill is very satisfied with her decision to go abroad

and obtain her undergraduate and graduate degrees from
McGill University in Montreal, Canada, which is ranked among
the worlds best schools. Lori gained a world-class education
at an estimated of the price she would have paid in the
U.S., truly getting the bang for your buck. She says, I am
also proud to say that I graduated without any debt for myself
or my parents. Beyond just the monetary factor, she
expresses, I loved the idea of studying in another country,
especially in a city with another language and culture, while
not really being very far from home. Now, she lives and has
a career in Los Angeles.

Canada, the No. 2 destination for U.S. college students

enrolling abroad, had more than 7,000 U.S. students in 2011-
12, according to the Institute of International Education, and
this number has risen in recent years. The average tuition for
international undergraduates in Canada was $20,447
Canadian dollars (about $15,380 in the U.S.). Thats a very
modest price in comparison to top-tier universities in the
United States.
Approach 3

Online College

A traditional college education isnt for everyone. Sometimes a

traditional college education at a university campus can prove to
be too expensive or isnt the right fit for a person. However, this
doesnt mean a person seeking a college education is out of luck,
because there are other options in getting a college education in a
nontraditional way. For example, receiving a college education
online has become a route many people have taken recently. In
the last thirteen years online college there has been a growing
trend as it grew to 5.8 million nationally. Although there are many
benefits to getting a college education online, there are some
drawbacks as well. Obtaining a college education online allows
flexibility for people to take all sorts of different online courses that
allows them to still get a degree they could have obtained if they
attended a traditional college.
 Pros
Flexibility- Students are not on a
set schedule, they may often
proceed with coursework
whenever they want within a
deadline requirement. Many online
schools offer many programs.
Penn States World Campus offers
120 different programs
Independence/Responsibility-
Students learn to be independent
and take responsibility for their
own education with little to none
outside motivation.
Cost- Online education is generally
cheaper than traditional college.
World Campus is about half the
cost per credit. In addition, online
students do not pay for room and
board.
Speed- Online courses tend to
require less course-related time to
complete. Material tends to be
simplified.
Cons
Lacking Hands On Experiences-
When students take classes at a
campus they can get more hands
on experiences, especially if they
are working in a lab or if they are an
art major. Although there are online
simulations that can help with
getting hands on experience, it
might not be as well as the campus
experience.
Independence/Responsibility- For
students who are not highly
motivated, online courses can
prove to be difficult. If students
arent already responsible then
they will need to develop an
increased responsibility.
Networking-There is less of a
connection with students. It is more
difficult to find students who are
also taking the same courses,
making it harder to form study
groups.
Frequent Changes- It is easier to
have changes in degree
requirements online compared to
at a campus. Changes in
requirements are more frequent
online and can prove to be difficult
to keep up with
 Real Life
Example

Venancio Ybarra Jr. had been teaching electronics

engineering technology at a community college in Houston,
Texas for twelve years before receiving his degree from
Penn State World Campus. As enrollment began to increase
at the community college, he wanted a more effective way of
teaching technology in the classroom, so he obtained a
degree that allowed him to do so. Ybarra was able to further
his education without ever leaving his wife or son. While
pursuing his degree, his son had to undergo surgery, and
Ybarra mentions how his Penn State World Campus
professors were very flexible with the assignments and
understanding of his situation.
Although Ybarra took classes online, he was able to
enjoy some of the campus life as he was invited to All
University Day at the University Park campus where he
represented Penn State World Campus during halftime at a
Penn State football game. Ybarra previously obtained his
degrees from The University of Houston and Alvin
Community College, but this was his first ever online degree.
He felt that the relationships he developed from Penn State
World Campus was similar to a tight knit family as he
mentioned, I dont think Ive ever felt more connected to
a University than Penn State.
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