Can You Be Happy Without A College Degree?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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You don't need a degree to be happy and successful

. I myself have a university degree (a masters in computer science) – but I chose my studies 100% based on my interests at the time.

Do you need a college degree to be happy?

Research suggests that

the more education you have, the happier you tend to be

. … Having a college degree is correlated with other sources of happiness: People who go to college also tend to have better health outcomes, more stable marriages, and longer lives than those who didn't graduate from high school.

How can I live comfortably without a college degree?

  1. Start a service business. A service business is usually the easiest type of business to start. …
  2. Invest in real estate. …
  3. Offer consulting services. …
  4. Create a product. …
  5. Become a subject matter expert. …
  6. Rent your stuff. …
  7. Get adventurous. …
  8. Look at non-degree jobs.

Can you do well in life without a degree?


Yes, it's possible to succeed without a college degree

. … A college environment provides the kind of support most adults need to not only get a degree, but start a life. Success, for many adults, starts the day they get that bachelor's degree.

Are people who don't go to college happy?

People who go to college are slightly likelier to report that

they are happy about their lives

than those who don't go to college. In 2011, researchers found that 89 percent of high-school graduates who did not attend college said they were happy or very happy, compared with 94 percent of bachelor's-degree holders.

What can I do instead of going to college?

  • Community college. Also known as: Junior or two-year college. …
  • Apprenticeship. Also known as: Job-based learning. …
  • Trade school. Also known as: Technical, career or vocational school. …
  • Online college. …
  • Coding bootcamps.

How can I get 6 figures without a college degree?

  1. Air Traffic Controller. Median Salary: $124,540. …
  2. Real Estate Broker. Median Salary: $79,340. …
  3. Construction Manager. Median Salary: $91,370. …
  4. Radiation Therapist. …
  5. Commercial Pilot. …
  6. Funeral Services Manager. …
  7. Detectives and Criminal Investigators. …
  8. Nuclear Power Reactor Operator.

Is it true that college isn't for everyone?

So Should You Go to College?

College isn't for everyone

, but it should be available to anyone who wants to attend. A college education is useful both because of the skills it imparts and because of the signal that a degree can send to employers.

How can I get rich without a degree?

  1. Leverage compound interest. There's no better wealth-building strategy than investing early and leveraging many years of compounded annual returns.
  2. Start a business. …
  3. Watching your wallet. …
  4. Tying it together.

Is college a waste of time and money?


College is wasting time and money

, according to George Mason University economics professor. Recent studies have found that earn more than non-college graduates in every state in the US. But college isn't the best for everyone, argues Bryan Caplan, an economics professor at George Mason University.

Can you survive without college?

Especially when it takes an average of 20 years to pay off. It's no surprise that young people might be questioning the need for college. While degree holders do earn more than non-degree holders, making

a good living without a degree is absolutely possible

.

Does a college degree matter 2020?

Let's face it, a college degree holds a

higher prestige

than a high school diploma, and many people seem to appreciate those who've made the effort and graduated. According to a 2016 study by Georgetown University, the majority of the jobs still go to bachelor's degree graduates.

How can you be successful without college?

  1. Set achievable career goals. …
  2. Find career opportunities that don't require a college degree. …
  3. Consider a professional certification. …
  4. Take online courses. …
  5. Assess your career aptitude. …
  6. Learn and apply new skills. …
  7. Learn from a mentor. …
  8. Get on-the-job training.

Is it harder to get into college after a gap year?

As gap years become more popular, and the benefits more widely understood, colleges become more accepting and supportive of the decision to take a year off. A

gap year won

‘t affect your admissions chances if you treat it as an extended part of your education.

Can you work instead of going to college?

Many colleges, particularly online colleges,

offer flexibility for those working full-time

. But there will still probably come a time when work and school conflict. Maybe you'll want to be able to take a day off to have extra time to study for an exam.

Is it OK to not go to college right after high school?

If you take a job right after high school, you may find yourself putting it off year after year, and it could hurt you in the long run. … If you do not go to college right after high school,

you could miss out on some life-changing experiences that can shape who you are and what you believe in

.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.