"Nothing in the history of western civilization has gotten more expensive more quickly than a four-year degree. It's not to say it's not valuable, but I mean nothing-not real estate, not healthcare, not energy. Between 1983 and 2025, the cost of college tuition has significantly outpaced every other household expense, according to analysis by J.P. Morgan Asset Management."
"That shift ultimately scared parents to death, even with the financial burden of following the college path exploding. Gen Z are now paying the price, facing a perfect storm: soaring student loan debt, degrees that don't translate into stable careers, and an AI-obsessed job market that's only growing more uncertain. Millions of Gen Z are ending up as NEET and stuck in limbo that college was supposed to prevent."
"Learning a trade was downgraded as the fallback option, a vocational consolation prize. The removal of shop classes once designed to introduce students to trades like carpentry, welding, and electrical work created a labor imbalance: too many young people chasing degrees, and not enough trained workers to fill critical, in-demand positions."
The removal of shop classes from schools in the 1970s and 80s established a cultural bias against trade work, positioning it as a fallback option rather than a viable career path. This shift frightened parents and steered generations toward college despite exponential tuition increases that have outpaced all other household expenses since 1983. Today, Gen Z faces mounting student loan debt, degrees misaligned with job market demands, and rising unemployment rates, with many classified as NEET. Meanwhile, skilled trades face critical labor shortages, with positions like data center electricians offering salaries exceeding $280,000 annually. The overemphasis on traditional four-year degrees has created a significant mismatch between educational pursuits and actual workforce needs.
#trade-skills-vs-college-education #student-debt-crisis #labor-market-shortage #gen-z-employment #vocational-training
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