Description |
Full-time employment directly after high school |
Before or instead of pursuing a college education; Military academies |
Short professional programs; Certificate programs; 9-month, one-year, two-year college programs |
Up to six-year programs |
Rely on government funding as well as tuition and fees from students |
Rely on tuition, fees and private sources for funding |
Average Cost |
$100–$1,000 |
$0 |
$5,000–$25,000 |
$100-$1,000 |
$58,000–$100,000 |
$80,000–$150,000 |
Potential Earnings |
Starting: $23,662; Mid-career: $34,380 |
Starting: $20,171; Mid-career: $59,774 |
Starting: $30,336; Mid-career: $45,504 |
Starting: $29,314; Mid-career: $39,594 |
Starting: $40,448; Mid-career: $60,671 |
Starting: $40,448; Mid-career: $60,671 |
Required |
May need related job experience or certain skills |
ASVAB test; Fitness and health standards; Background check |
Requirements vary by program; Placement tests |
Requirements vary by program; May be minimum age; May require community college acceptance |
Minimum SAT/ACT score and GPA; Core high school classes; Application (sometimes with essay, interviews and letters of recommendation) |
Minimum SAT/ACT score and GPA; Core high school classes; Application (sometimes with essay, interviews and letters of recommendation) |
Typical Jobs |
Accounting clerk' Animal caretakers; Childcare; Clerical, administrative, office clerk; Customer service representatives; Driver; Food services; Maintenance and janitorial; Retail worker |
Administration; Aviation; Combat officer; Construction; Engineering; Health care; Intelligence; Mechanical and maintenance; Public affairs and media relations |
Auto mechanic; Barber; Chef; Computer tech; Cosmetologist; Court reporter; Dental assistant; Fitness trainer; Nursing or home health aide; Pharmacy tech |
Carpenter; Electrician; HVAC installation and repair; Machinist; Mason; Pipefitter; Plumber; Sheet metal worker; Tool and die worker |
Airline pilot; Architect; Computer programmer; Educator; Engineer; Financial specialist; Graphic designer; Reporter or correspondent; Writer or editor |
Airline pilot; Architect; Computer programmer; Educator; Engineer; Financial specialist; Graphic designer; Reporter or correspondent; Writer or editor |