The new American Dream has parents easing up on college expectations for their kids: 35% are now open to trade school instead

Fortune

Sydney Lake

December 19, 2025

Many parents and kids alike are wondering whether college has the same return on investment it once did. Going to college was once seen as a one-way ticket to a successful and lucrative career. Still, there are a growing number of six-figure jobs that don’t require a degree, while entry-level job opportunities for recent graduates remain sparse.

Some parents are so anxious about today’s job market that they’re exploring alternatives to the four-year degree, with one in three open to the idea of their kids attending a trade school instead, according to new survey results from American Student Assistance (ASA), which surveyed more than 2,200 parents of middle and high school students about their attitudes, perceptions, and decision-making regarding their kids’ post-high-school plans.

The fact that 35% of parents believe career and technical education is best suited for their children represents a major jump—from just 13% in 2019, according to ASA. While parents still prefer traditional college for their kids, it’s much less so than in the past. The percentage of parents preferring it dropped to 58%—a 16 percentage point drop from 2019.

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