no degree required: the 5 best jobs you can get without a college degree.

College is expensive. That alone isn’t going to stop any presses, but when you consider how rapidly tuition has increased, it can’t be left unsaid. 

Consider the numbers (are you sitting down?) College tuition has risen by as much as 2,700 percent over the past 50 years — that’s 4.6 times the rate of inflation. 

Given that financial reality, it’s no surprise that admissions rates are down across the board. In fact, undergraduate enrollment has decreased 7.8 percent since the start of the pandemic. For many careers, college remains a necessity, but if you’re not sold on one out of the gate, that’s a lot of debt to take on for a not-so-sure thing. 

The good news is that there are plenty of lucrative and rewarding jobs that can be had without a college degree. Read on to see which roles might be right for you, along with the certifications and training you may need in order to land one. 

1. medical assistant 

Years of schooling are the first things to come to mind when contemplating work in the medical field. So it may come as a surprise that there are plenty of fulfilling jobs in healthcare that don’t require a four-year degree. Take medical assistants, for example. A hybrid role that’s one part assistant, one part nurse, medical assistants are responsible for a variety of clinical and administrative tasks in healthcare settings. 

Given that you could be employed at a small private practice, a large hospital system or anywhere in between, day-to-day duties will vary, but you can generally expect to be responsible for tasks like:

• taking patient vital signs
• administering medications and injections
• assisting physicians with examinations
• recording patient data and managing records
• scheduling appointments 

Even better, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for medical assistants to grow by a whopping 18 percent over the next decade — much faster than the average for all other occupations. 

2. licensed practical nurse

Remaining within the realm of healthcare, licensed practical nurses (or licensed vocational nurses as they’re sometimes called) provide limited yet essential nursing duties, certification for which can be achieved without a college degree. 

As a licensed practical nurse (LPN) you can expect to function, in many ways, as a traditional nurse: monitoring patients, checking vital signs and providing direct patient care. Different states have different regulations about the kinds of duties that LPNs can administer on their own, and, like medical assistants, your exact role will be determined by the unique demands of your setting. No matter where you land, however, you can expect to often be the first point of contact for patient family members, so an exceptional bedside manner and communications skills are also required for this role.

The U.S. has been experiencing a severe shortage of nurses for nearly a decade now — well before the COVID-19 pandemic placed an additional burden on the system. All told, over one million nurses will be needed by 2030 just to keep pace. While much of these figures are focused on registered nurses, LPNs will also find their services in need, with some estimates expecting employment for the role to grow 25 percent over the next few years. 

You won’t need a college degree, but becoming an LPN does require some schooling. Typically certification can be met after a one-to-two year program, followed by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). 

3. computer support specialist 

A certain romance has always surrounded the world of tech, with tales of self-taught savants bypassing college and coding their way to greatness. When it comes to computers, if you’ve got the chops, few will care where or how you honed them. Becoming a computer support specialist is no different. 

As critical first points of contact, computer support specialists help clients and customers resolve computer-related issues. Everything from troubleshooting login problems and OS snags to physical repair can fall under their purview. As such, you’ll need a strong level of technical acumen. While a college degree isn’t required, some certification is recommended. In addition to being able to demonstrate proficiency to potential employers in areas like common operating systems and hardware basics, pursuing a CompTIA A+ certification that can officially attest to your skills is recommended. 

Job opportunities are projected to grow nine percent over the next decade, with an average of 70,000-plus new jobs being added each year. If you’re looking for an entry-level job to get your feet wet in tech, this could be the role for you.

4. forklift operator 

With warehouses booming and the construction industry rebounding, forklift operators are sitting pretty. That’s what makes it not only one of the best non college-degree jobs to get, but one of the best all-around jobs — period. 

Forklift drivers operate industrial trucks to transport materials across storage facilities, warehouses or construction sites. You won’t need a college degree to land a role, but given that the position involves heavy machinery, you will need to undergo both driver certification and safety training.

The first step to becoming a forklift operator is to get certified. This initial round of certification involves learning how to operate the machinery itself through both classroom instruction and hands-on operation. Make sure that your certification program covers OSHA safety training as well. While some employers will provide this to new hires, having obtained safety certification in advance can boost your chances of employment. 

With over 84,000 opportunities on track to be created each year over the next decade, obtaining your forklift certification and becoming a professional operator should put you in good standing for stable employment.

5. truck driver

Ah, the open road. The nation is grappling with a severe shortage of truck drivers right now, so much so that a recent pilot program was launched to train teenagers to help fill positions. If you’re a driver at heart looking to earn a living that also affords you time to put a serious dent in your podcast backlog, a career as a truck driver could be for you. 

Beyond your basic driver’s license, you may need to obtain a commercial driver’s licences or a HAZMAT endorsement if you plan on transporting hazardous materials. However, those are typically the only credentials you’ll need. If you’d like to go the extra mile, there are additional certifications you could pursue, specifically surrounding safe driving practices. The National Safety Council, for instance, provides certified courses on defensive driving to help drivers learn how to recognize and respond to potentially dangerous driving conditions and scenarios.

It’s estimated that 72.5 percent of America’s freight transport moves by truck, yet the country is currently 80,000 truck drivers short. Needless to say, if you’re looking to start a career as a truck driver, you couldn’t have picked a more opportune time.

key takeaways 

Along with rising tuition costs, degree inflation, or the amount of jobs that now require a bachelor’s degree, has skyrocketed as well, making college a necessity for a greater number of positions than ever before.

Despite this, there are still plenty of roles that can be had without a college degree, like:

• medical assistant
• licensed practical nurse
• computer support specialist 
• forklift operator
• truck driver 

These jobs span industries, offering a little something for everyone, increasing the likelihood you’ll be able to find a role that well fits your talents and interests. Remember, job seekers are in the driver’s seat right now, which means with a little training or a couple certifications, you’ll be in a prime position to land that next great job.