In a world where it costs $101,000 in all-in costs (room and board, books and supplies, fees) to attain a bachelor's degree at a public university, getting a four-year diploma is understandably less tantalizing than it used to be. 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. These jobs pay at least $55,000 per year, and all of them are attainable without needing a traditional college degree.
That doesn't mean you'll be able to get them right away — although many of these careers are well within reach. Most of these jobs require on-the-job training, classes or certifications. But they all have one thing in common: The jobs are much cheaper to get than those that require a bachelor's.