20 Common Reasons Why Young American Men Don’t Go to College

College isn’t and will never be a one-size-fits-all answer for anyone. Sadly, in recent years, more and more young American males have been opting out of college for various reasons, such as having uncertain career paths, a lack of support, or the want to earn money instantly. If you want a better understanding of today’s educational climate, read on and find the top 20 things that push young men to skip out on higher education!

They Prefer a Shorter Career Path

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Many young men opt for shorter career paths that offer quicker entry into the workforce and immediate earning potential; they either hop into opportunities like vocational training, apprenticeships, or trading that bypass the traditional four-year degrees. Additionally, men are more confident in making these kinds of decisions compared to women because society, more often than not, works in favor of men. An article from LinkedIn explains, “When looking at the workforce and various industries, men have a greater range of opportunities for work than women do. Typically, men are viewed as more viable in society: if a job entails a considerable amount of physical labor and doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree, more times than not, a man would be given the job over a woman.”

Their Career Paths Are Still Uncertain

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Many young men choose to forgo college because their career paths are still uncertain. With the sea of options facing them, the pressure to pick a major and dedicate years to a specific field may be overwhelming. When caught up in these confusing thoughts, it’s easy for them to seek alternative choices and paths, which could either steer them back to school at some point in their lives or lead them to satisfying and fulfilling careers that would offer them success even without a college education. Whatever it is, people’s timings and paths in life mustn’t be linear; what works for you might not work well for others.

They Emerge Into Business

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People who go to college sometimes get stuck in four or more years of studying, while those who go straight to business start earning as soon as possible. Sometimes, this pushes young men to forgo college and start lucrative businesses. However, this strategy does have dangers and drawbacks, including employment instability and a lack of long-term professional stability, which could be a significant setback after overlooking the possible advantages of a college education. Nevertheless, it can also lead to quick success and high incomes.

They Think That College Is Redundant

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A four-year college degree, once seen as a golden ticket for a bright future, could seem outdated in today’s rapidly evolving world. Given this, the advantages of technological advancements like coding boot camps and ready-made courses are definitely enticing, especially for young men. For them, the hefty price of tuition fees and commitment to a traditional college journey can feel redundant compared to the freedom and flexibility of self-directed learning and other learning options. An article from Medium says, “This may not be news, but university degrees are beginning to struggle to keep up with the pace of modern society.”

They Want to Avoid Cultural Expectations

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Some students believe that defying cultural expectations that tell them to undergo a four-year degree is also a key to success. The traditional college path can feel like a pressure cooker for some young men, and understandably, some ask, “Is going to college the only route to social approval and success?” Some realize that it isn’t or that gaining approval from society isn’t what matters, so they venture on a different path that doesn’t entail getting a college degree.

They Question the Value of Universities

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Attending college for the sake of attending it sadly doesn’t allow students or graduates to get equal opportunities after the fact. According to an article from The Conversation, “On average, the student experience is fairly similar between universities, but employers believe, rightly or wrongly, that graduates from some universities are better and pay a higher salary accordingly. In other words, employers may take degrees from certain types of universities as a signal of ability and talent.” Because of this, young men constantly question the value and benefit of a traditional college experience, leading them to be drawn to alternative paths that offer a more direct route to success and earning.

They Believe They Can Rely on Technology and Online Self-Learning

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With the vast array of online educational content, including tutorials, courses, and interactive platforms, many young men perceive that college is no longer needed. As technology continues to evolve and expand educational opportunities, they may find it easier to achieve their objectives through self-directed learning. So, while it is still essential to recognize the value of a college degree and a diploma in many career opportunities, there’s also no contesting the fact that many of the much-needed skills can be learned through technology and online learning alone.

They Get Overwhelmed by the Rising Costs That Come With Higher Education

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Inflation skyrockets the costs of everything—and yes, that includes tuition fees. The cost of a college education seems unfathomable for many, leaving some young men with no option but to skip the traditional path to success. They want to avoid the possible financial burdens that may come with a college education, and therefore, they explore alternative options to gain success and economic independence.

They Fear Drowning in Debt

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With the cost of education on a continuous rise, young men skip college for fear of having debt. We’ve all heard horror stories of people having debt even before they start working, and this nightmare is sadly the reality for hundreds and thousands of Americans who decided to take out student loans to graduate. However, the mountain of debt that comes with a college degree is sometimes not worth it for some people, like young men, who decide to forgo this level of education. According to CNN, “As of the third quarter of 2023, Americans owed $1.74 trillion in education debt, and 51% of 2021-22 bachelor’s degree recipients graduated with an average of $29,400 in student loan debt.”

They Believe That Working Instead of Studying Is a Valid Choice for Men

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Traditional masculinity is another aspect fueling the overwhelming number of young men opting to enter the workforce instead of pursuing a college degree. This is because conventional masculinity makes some young men view work experience and financial independence as things that are more aligned with their roles as men. Even so, we must all remember that a college degree could contribute to someone’s career advancement and personal growth. Masculinity doesn’t have to be confined to traditional stereotypes, as a successful future can be built upon both action and academic achievement.

They Believe That Being Hired Is Possible—Even Without a Degree

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There’s no contesting the fact that you could get a job even without a college degree. However, although that’s the case, it could be harder and sometimes impossible to get certain jobs if you don’t have the degree to back it up. So, yes, the argument that being hired is possible even without a degree is valid. However, young men should also consider that there are some jobs—even entry-level ones—that they cannot get into because of their lack of educational attainment.

They Are Sick of the Gender Stereotypes in Some College Courses

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College campuses are often depicted as a melting pot of diverse perspectives and disciplines, but a closer look reveals a persistent fact: the overwhelming gender stereotypes in specific courses. Take culinary, for example; men who want to enter this course can sometimes feel demotivated, thinking they will be surrounded by women. In fact, a research paper by Rowan University hypothesizes, “A person’s gender identity correlates with their academic major and career choice. Individuals high in masculinity will choose male-dominated courses and careers, such as those related to math and science, and individuals high in femininity will choose female-dominated careers and courses, such as language arts and humanities.”

They Are Influenced by Ethnic Differences

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Aside from traditional gender roles and stereotypes, ethnic differences also pose a challenge that contributes to why young men avoid entering college. A study published by Sage Journals shares that an African American male student reported experiencing discrimination in an academic setting. This led to the child’s increased stress and declining performance, creating a psychological barrier that hindered his educational success.

They Feel Disconnected From Education and Their Course of Choice

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Some young men take that leap of faith and start their college journey. Unfortunately, although several young men decide to pursue higher education, educational disengagement or the feeling of disconnectedness from their course of choice often contributes to their decision to drop out. Research from Taylor University explains, “Research demonstrates that male students who are less engaged tend to have lower performance in academics, volunteerism, and participation in meaningful events around campus.” Overall, perceived lack of relevance in the curriculum, disconnection from the learning environment, collapsing academic motivation, and stereotypes that pressure men to prioritize immediate employment influence disengagement in universities, resulting in many young men leaving college.

They Struggle With Mental Health Issues

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Mental health issues could also play a significant role in why young men decide to drop out of or never pursue college. Untreated mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety can lead to academic difficulties, diminishing their focus and desire to move forward. Unfortunately, studying, as a whole, can cause students a lot of stress. Because of this, some of those who have struggled with mental issues in high school or prior opt out of college, believing it would only be a cause for higher-stress situations.

They Have Responsibilities to Face

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Life’s responsibilities can sometimes be overwhelming, creating a frustrating disconnection between dreams and practicality. As much as young men would like to pursue a college education, their duties outside of academia pose problems and challenges that prevent them from doing so. Because of this, they may opt out of college entirely, pursue a two-year course, or delay college education until they gain a better footing.

They Lack the Proper Role Models

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The decrease in male college enrollees is slowly but surely starting a snowball effect that could contribute to how other male students think of or view college education as a whole. The absence of successful men who attend college can create a perception that a four-year degree is unimportant and unnecessary. If a young man grows up in an environment that doesn’t value education, he may internalize the belief that academic pursuits hold little significance.

They Are Caught up in Their Personal Issues and Crises

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Similar to having responsibilities they have to face, some young men may decide to skip or drop out of college as a result of personal crises like relationship problems or the death of a loved one. Volatile home environments could be too hard for them to handle alongside the challenges of a college degree, and they may choose one over the other. Additionally, overcoming such obstacles while attempting to retain academic standing can be extremely challenging, which lowers motivation and causes them to lose concentration on their studies.

They Lack Discipline and Planning

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Compared to women, young men often lack the discipline and planning needed for academic success and long-term goal setting. One’s college journey, after all, doesn’t start after high school; instead, it begins while one’s still in it. If someone’s not prepared enough and doesn’t recognize this fact, their poor performance in high school might make it hard for them to achieve the things they need for college admission.

They Are Sick of College Bureaucracy

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Let’s face it: college and everything about the country’s educational system are complex and laden with rigid bureaucracy. This includes college admissions, financial aid and student loans, and administrative requirements. Add to this the countless papers, examples, extracurricular requirements, and other academic demands, and it’s easy to understand why several young men are deciding to veer away from it.

They Have No Parental or Familial Support

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Parental and familial support are crucial in all aspects of life. Sadly, some young men don’t have the support they need when it comes to pursuing higher education. And, since college admissions, tests, and other processes are already complicated, it may seem even more so without someone backing them up. As a consequence, they may feel unmotivated and discouraged from pursuing higher education.

Author: Karen Danao

Title: Research journalist, Freelance writer, Managing editor

Expertise: Culture, Society, Home & Gardening, Travel

Karen is a writer and also a marketing and advertising professional. Beyond the keyboard and the screen, she is someone who’s out to enjoy every bit that life has to offer! Poetry, philosophy, history, and movies are all topics she loves writing about! However, her true passion is in traveling, photography, and finding common ground to which everyone from different cultures can relate.

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