Why Young People Are Choosing Trade Schools Over College Degrees

College enrollment declining as young people recognize trades offer better ROI. Average trade school cost: $33K vs $127K for 4-year degree. Electricians earn $60-80K with zero student debt. Plumbers: $55-95K. Welders: $45-75K, often with employer-paid training. The skilled labor shortage means tradespeople are in unprecedented demand. Many Gen Z workers prefer the certainty of a trade skill over student loans and uncertain graduate job prospects. The narrative shift: trades are no longer 'fallback' careers but strategic choices.