College, trade school or work: choosing a path

What to know

1. Look up the jobs first. For more than 300 occupations covering about 4 out of 5 U.S. jobs, the Occupational Outlook Handbook explains what workers do, the work environment, the education and training needed, pay, job outlook and similar occupations.
2. Note the entry-level education each job needs: a degree, a certificate or license, or on-the-job training. You can browse the Handbook by pay range, entry-level education, on-the-job training or projected growth.
3. Check each profile's "State and Area Data" section. Pay and job growth where you'll live can differ from national numbers.
4. Check apprenticeships. A Registered Apprenticeship is a paid job from day one, with a mentor, classroom instruction, wage increases as your skills grow, and a portable, nationally recognized credential. You search the Apprenticeship Job Finder and apply directly to the employer or program sponsor.
5. Compare schools and programs. College Scorecard shows costs, student debt, graduation rates and graduates' earnings, and lets you compare up to 10 colleges at once.
6. File the FAFSA either way. Colleges and career schools both use it to decide your grants, work-study and loans.
7. Fill in one row per path: total cost after grants, months until you're earning, starting pay, debt at the end, the program's graduation rate, and whether you'd enjoy the work. Then talk it over with someone who does that job.