# Evaluating Post\-Secondary Education Pathways After High School

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- Published: 2024-04-05
- Author: Charlene Farwell
- Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/)

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Greetings, readers! I‘m Sonya Rhodes, a leading higher education reformer and Director of College Access Initiatives for the National Education Transformation Council. With over 18 years advising policymakers on equitable college access, I‘m frequently asked if high school constitutes post-secondary learning or how students should approach further education.

These are vital questions needing clarity, so I‘ve compiled this comprehensive guide examining secondary vs. post-secondary distinctions, post-high school options, and expert insights on getting informed – whether you‘re a student, parent or educator. Let‘s get started!

## Defining Secondary and Post-Secondary Education

First, a quick primer on terminology.

### Secondary Education

Secondary education refers to schooling delivered in middle and high schools covering approximately grades 6-12. Curricula focuses more broadly across core subjects like English, math, sciences and social studies.

Teachers aim to nurture well-rounded academic competencies while introducing some vocational education through classes like shop, home economics or basic computer skills.

Coursework meets state educational standards. Attendance is compulsory until typically age 16 with standardized testing assessing retention of knowledge.

While institutions may offer some specialized classes, the general approach centers equipping adolescents with essential baseline abilities for adult life regardless of college aspirations.

**High school** constitutes the _latter_ component of secondary schooling in grades 9-12 for 14-18 year-olds. Delhi World School director Anjali Sharma remarks, "Our high school continues laying educational foundations including critical thinking, digital literacy and exposure to societal issues to prepare graduates for either careers or higher studies."

So high school comprises the fourth and final stage of mandatory secondary schooling.

### Post-Secondary Education

Post-secondary education encapsulates any voluntary educational pursuits engaged after completing high school. This includes:

- Vocational schools granting certificates and diplomas
- Two-year community colleges conferring associate degrees
- Traditional four-year colleges and universities issuing bachelor‘s degrees
- Graduate schools awarding advanced master‘s and doctorate degrees

Curricula intensifies around distinct fields like healthcare, tech, business, social sciences as students direct efforts toward specialized careers. Admissions grow more selective with minimum GPAs and test scores.

While secondary schools nurture adolescents‘ foundational skills, post-secondary pathways facilitate career-oriented, adulthood education. I‘ll elaborate why high school doesn‘t qualify next.

## Why High School Doesn‘t Qualify as Post-Secondary

On surface, high schoolers increasingly enroll in Advanced Placement courses, career prep programs and even earn associate degrees simultaneously. Doesn‘t this constitute post-secondary advancement?

**Not quite.** Secondary and post-secondary models remain distinctly apart for several reasons:

### Age and Stage

High schoolers are still undergoing rapid intellectual, emotional and social development. Educators tailor teaching methods, activities and pacing appropriately for teens aged 14-18 as opposed to mature adults.

Of course, individuals mature at different rates. Some students exhibit enough focus and self-direction to succeed in select college-level courses or vocational training before graduation.

However, the traditional high school model serves a general student population still building life skills and work ethic required for post-secondary intensity.

### Customization

Similarly, high school adopts a broad, exploratory approach by necessity. Students pursue a generalized course sequence to discover strengths and passions to guide specialization later.

Post-secondary studies allow intense focus within a specific discipline once interests solidify and career alignment firms up.

### Compulsory vs Voluntary

While school attendance is mandatory through age 16-18 depending on location, no regulations require college or vocational trade education currently. Post-secondary constitutes a deliberate choice to sacrifice income and free time to achieve targeted career goals.

This breeds very different learner motivation levels between disengaged teens ordered to show up versus driven adults who spent money selecting a program.

Of course, college enrollment hitting 66% in 2022 indicates it‘s an expectation, if not explicit requirement, for white-collar employment now. [Georgetown University](https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/valueofcollegemajors/) predicts that by 2030, 74% of all U.S. jobs will need some post-secondary qualification.

So its mandatory nature is changing but secondary and post-secondary models remain distinct beasts for now.

## The Post-Secondary Landscape

If college no longer remains an optional luxury good, what pathways exist after tossing caps at graduation?

### Vocational and Skilled Trade Schools

Once dubbed "alternative" options, vocational education has shaken lingering stigma to arise as popular, affordable career launchpads. Modern "vo-tech" schools integrate deep job-specific preparation through current technologies and best practices.

Investing 1-2 years earning no-frills diplomas or certificates in established fields like construction, electrical, automotive, culinary arts, medical assisting, welding, tech and design promises strong employment outcomes.

For example, 97.3% of 2021 heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) graduates secured full-time work within 6 months.[[1]](https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2021/data-on-display/education-pays.htm) Average starting salaries approached $47,000 helping ameliorate widespread skilled labor shortages.[[2]](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/heating-air-conditioning-and-refrigeration-mechanics-and-installers.htm)

Technical skills gap aside, some fields actually prefer condensed trade program credentials over lengthier university pedigrees. Enterprises value real-world apprenticeships producing Day 1 capable technicians.

Vocational tertiary options make sense for pragmatic, hands-on learners. Streamlined curricula skips general education credits allowing faster employment with less debt.

#### Community and Junior Colleges

Attending "two-year" colleges offers affordable credits meeting four-year program prerequisites in a flexible, welcoming environment. Enrolling nearly 40% of U.S undergraduates, community colleges provide access for millions of lower-income, minority and first-generation students. [[3]](https://educationdata.org/community-college-statistics)

With average yearly tuition of only $3,800, two-year public schools minimize barriers through open admissions policies, convenient locations, night/weekend scheduling, childcare assistance and distance learning options.

Beyond associate degrees and career/technical training, community colleges enable seamless university transfers. Flagship schools maintain transfer partnerships. After completing core basics, students enter university studies as rising juniors saving tens of thousands avoiding redundant gen-ed credits.

I always recommend community colleges for testing interests, catching up academically out of high school or balancing life priorities before four-year commitments.

#### Traditional Colleges and Universities

College conjures images of quintessential ‘higher education‘ – tweed jacket professors, ivy-covered buildings, dynamic seminars, all-nighters. Full-time, four-year undergraduate programs aim towards grooming well-rounded citizens through broad liberal arts education coupled with targeted majors and research.

Over 5,000 diverse institutions exist from small private colleges focusing on mentoring under 1,000 students to massive state school powerhouses like Ohio State educating over 50,000 learners.

Admissions competition varies tremendously based on academics, extracurriculars, demographics, legacy status and other intangibles. Highly selective colleges deny over 90% of applicants while mid-tier and open enrollment schools accept most students meeting baseline GPAs and test scores.

Graduating college continues fueling the American dream – conferring knowledge, credentials and alumni connections priming career opportunities combined with memories and growth forming adult identity.

#### Graduate School

After completing bachelor‘s studies, dedicated students can pursue specialized expertise and credentials through graduate school. Post-graduate education encompasses business, law, medical school plus master‘s and doctorate degrees across hundreds of niches.

Further qualifications lead to prestigious leadership careers as physicians, attorneys, professors, scientists, engineers and beyond. Graduate admissions prove extremely competitive with most programs accepting under 20% of applicants. [[4]](https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools)

Ivory tower myths aside, escalating career prospects and intellectual challenge entice over 2 million graduate students currently. [[5]](https://educationdata.org/graduate-school-enrollment-statistics)

## Key Benefits of Post-Secondary Education

Hopefully differences between high school college readiness foundations and intensive post-secondary career accelerators crystalizes.

Pursuing additional vocational certificates, two or four-year degrees promises handsome individual and societal payoffs:

#### Boosted Employability and Lifetime Earnings

Unemployment rates sink lower at higher education rungs while corresponding wages escalate. Workers holding bachelor‘s degrees or better enjoy median earnings of over $1 million more over a 40 year career than high school graduates. [[6]](https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/research-summaries/education-earnings.html)

| Education Level | Median Weekly Earnings | Unemployment Rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Doctoral degree | $1,825 | 1.6% |
| Professional degree | $1,861 | 1.5% |
| Master‘s degree | $1,545 | 2.0% |
| Bachelor‘s degree | $1,305 | 2.2% |
| Associate degree | $887 | 3.3% |
| Some college, no degree | $810 | 3.7% |
| High school diploma | $781 | 3.7% |

Advanced credentials grow increasingly vital even for entry-level roles. By 2030, over 70% of U.S. jobs will require some college or technical certification. [[7]](https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/recovery-job-growth-and-education-requirements-through-2020/)

#### Expanded Career Options

Further education expands options across virtually all sectors from nursing to software engineering.

For example, the 1.1 million fresh bachelor-prepared nurses qualifying by 2030 will fall over 100,000 positions short of population health demands. [[8]](https://www.americanactionforum.org/research/addressing-the-nursing-shortage/)

Likewise, unfilled cybersecurity jobs expecting to approach 650,000 by 2025 call for specialized information security training. [[9]](https://www.isc2.org/-/media/ISC2/Research/2019-Cybersecurity-Workforce-Study/ISC2-Cybersecurity-Workforce-Study-2019.ashx?la=en&hash=1827084508A24DD75C60655E243EAC59ECDD4482)

Employers vote confidence through competitive salaries for coveted post-secondary abilities.

#### Personal Growth

Academic immersion transitions adolescents preparing for career entry points into networked professionals.

Navigating scholarships, interviews, internships and self-directed studies matures time management, financial planning, communication and critical thinking proficiencies.

Additionally, campus exposures to diverse cultures, activist causes and big ideas fosters character. Graduates gain confidence to engage social issues and chart life with purpose.

## Emerging Post-Secondary Issues

Despite myriad benefits, tertiary pipelines face rising critique. As higher education commissioner I monitor concerning trends.

### College Affordability

Surging tuition consistently outpaces inflation and wage growth squeezing family budgets. Students borrow staggering sums surpassing $1.75 trillion nationally — second only to mortgages! [[10]](https://educationdata.org/student-loan-debt-statistics)

These alarming debt burdens drag economic activity. Graduates delay assets like homes while struggling households reduce expenditures impacting recovery.

Skyrocketing costs definitely discourage some academically prepared students while exacerbating inequality overall.

### Value Assessments

With multi-year degrees running over $100,000, families understandably scrutinize graduate outcomes. Which programs actually deliver career advantages warranting investment?

My department helps streamline public value/ROI metrics around earnings boosts, job placement and other goals per major. Students deserve better data guiding decisions between history or welding credentials based on individual aims.

### Access Barriers

Despite surging enrollments among lower-income and minority groups, post-secondary entry barriers persist around campus climate, hidden curriculum and application obstacles regarding testing costs/prep, counselor ratios and first-generation blind spots.

As equity advocates, we still need more accurate, weighted admissions metrics capturing grit and circumstances overrepresented groups face. There‘s work needed to foster representation and support.

## Mapping Your Post-High School Pathway

Given intensifying pressure to continue education, mapping intentional pathways earlier grows critical for learners. Here‘s my expert advice for students and guardians navigating choices:

#### Start Early Self-Reflection

The top college regret remains "I wish I considered future careers and earning potential more when selecting my major." [[11]](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/08/college-grads-expect-to-earn-60000-in-first-jobbut-get-this-much.html)

I coach 9th graders onward to inventory skills, passions and research aligned vocations. This grounds upcoming academic and extracurricular decisions toward targeted preparation.

Are you a born tinkerer and mechanic? Healthcare fascinated? Comfortable with risk and calculations? Vocational degrees become tailor-made. Love literature and cultural analysis? Perhaps education or law suits.

[[Insert flowchart]]

Such purposeful planning alleviates senior year panic. You‘ll exude motivation pursuing personalized goals.

#### Consider Alternatives

College and advanced degrees work for many professions but not all. Excellent living wage careers abound through shorter trade school programs, tech bootcamps, certifications and apprenticeships.

Healthcare, tech, services, manufacturing, construction collectively face huge shortages for skilled technicians and operators. satisfying stable incomes with lower education costs.

For example, insurance firm Progressive actively trains and hires hundreds of high school graduates annually for $60k claims adjustor roles. [[12]](https://www.progressive.com/claims/become-adjuster-without-college-degree/)

#### Reality Test Finances

Always calculate total costs borrowing realistic projections from schools. Websites like [CollegeData](http://www.collegedata.com) help model tuition, room/board and other essential expenses against potential scholarships, family contributions and work opportunities.

Never assume full rides or generous aid packages either.

If amounts exceed reasonable debt burdens, reassess priorities. Sometimes community colleges, commuting from home, part-time enrollment or deferring a few years makes sense.

#### Apply – Then Apply Again

I can‘t stress enough submitting multiple applications, especially to state schools. Admissions rates vary dramatically across colleges, majors and years.

Chance one "reach school" if academically qualified but counter with several safety options too.

Cast wide nets using common application platforms. Luckily, waivers abound for lower-income applicants facing fee barriers. Reapply next cycle if unsuccessful. Persistence pays off.

I sincerely hope these insider tips help young scholars make informed, financially responsible decisions. Please don‘t hesitate to email me with questions at [rhodess@education.org](mailto:rhodess@education.org). I‘m always happy to offer guidance.

## Conclusion

As career trajectories intertwine tighter with higher learning in our modern economy, clarifying often confusing secondary vs. post-secondary pathways helps all students.

While high school completes adolescent educational foundations, an array of attractive tertiary options exist to specialize expertise for prospering in tomorrow‘s industries.

From affordable vocational credentials to esteemed advanced post-grad qualificants, continuing education promises immense individual and societal dividends.

Of course, some reforms remain needed to improve access and value while reducing costs. But when approached strategically, post-secondary investments pay lifetime rewards.

Remember, many organizations like mine want to help learners make enlightened decisions too. You‘ve got this!

To your success,

Sonya Rhodes,
 Director of College Access Initiatives
 National Education Transformation Council

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Source: [Evaluating Post\-Secondary Education Pathways After High School](https://33rdsquare.com/evaluating-post-secondary-education-pathways-after-high-school/)