As college costs climb and employers put more emphasis on skills and experience, a four-year degree may no longer be the only path to a good-paying career in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts has some of the country’s most highly ranked public and private K-12 schools, along with the most competitive colleges and universities. Depending upon the source, Massachusetts is also often at the top of the list with the greatest percentage of college graduates. Many believe a four-year degree is the ticket to a prosperous career. But is it?
The cost of earning a college degree is hovering around $100,000 per year at some colleges in the Boston area. At the most expensive schools, the total cost of attendance over four years can reach several hundred thousand dollars.
At the same time, there has been a shift in the job market.
Many employers are now shuffling their top qualifications — moving away from requiring a four-year degree as a “must-have,” and instead emphasizing relevant experience and skills. Google, for example, announced in early 2026 that it was hiring “tons” of workers without a four-year degree, a significant pivot for a company typically associated with highly educated workers.
This raises a question for Massachusetts students and families facing an increasingly expensive decision: Is the value of the four-year degree still worth that investment?
And as the price of college continues to rise, will those who pursue a four-year degree primarily be the only ones who can afford it?
Jobs that don’t require a four-year degree
There are many occupations that do not require a bachelor’s degree — and some of these roles are projected to experience significant demand over the next decade.
Healthcare is projected to be one of the high-growth areas.
As baby boomers age and rates of chronic disease rise, employment opportunities in this sector are expected to increase. Additionally, many large and prestigious healthcare organizations are headquartered in Massachusetts.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that about 1.9 million job openings are expected each year across healthcare occupations through 2034.
Many of those in-demand opportunities are “assistant” and support roles, including medical assistants, nursing assistants, dental assistants, occupational therapy assistants, and physical therapy assistants. Most of these roles do not require a four-year degree, though additional education may warrant higher pay. Additionally, pharmacy technicians and patient transporters are expected to be in short supply.
Other healthcare roles may require a certificate or the completion of a shorter training program. These roles include phlebotomist, anesthesia technician, medical coder, medical interpreter, and surgical technologist. Dental hygienists and sonography professionals typically require specialized education or certification as well.
Some of these jobs can also offer strong earning potential. Ultrasound technologists, for example, often require a certificate in sonography, and can earn $100,000 or more.
The trades are facing a worker shortage
Beyond healthcare, many experts anticipate a shortage of workers in the skilled trades. Plumbers, electricians, welders, HVAC technicians, and mechanics typically enter their fields without a four-year college degree. State licenses are required for many of these roles, but employees often start as apprentices.
Bring Back the Trades, Inc., a New Hampshire-based nonprofit, points to several factors driving demand for skilled workers, including retiring baby boomers, infrastructure investment, and technology advancements.
Electricians are one example. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual pay for an electrician was $62,350 in 2024, and the occupation is projected to grow much faster than average through 2034.
In New England, Bring Back the Trades projects 41,784 trades jobs will be open by 2030, including construction workers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics, plumbers, welders, and HVAC.
Actual compensation can vary considerably based on location, experience, specialization, and other factors.
Transportation and public safety offer other paths
Transportation and logistics also offer a variety of roles that don’t require a bachelor’s degree.
Commercial truck drivers, TSA agents, postal workers, dispatchers, and baggage handlers can enter the field through specialized training, licensing, or on-the-job-experience.
And some jobs that traditionally may have been associated with a college degree are increasingly emphasizing experience instead.
For example, a recent posting for a Human Resources Manager at a commercial aviation company listed a salary range of $81,300 to $221,000, but did not require an undergraduate degree. Instead, it required five to 10 years of human resources management experience.
Public safety offers another route. Police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and detectives generally don’t require a four-year degree for entry-level employment, although education and additional training can accelerate advancement and compensation.
AI will change the equation — again
Then there’s artificial intelligence.
AI will change the landscape of employment, but each sector will be impacted differently. Some estimate that AI could significantly change the way about half of today’s jobs are performed.
But reshaped doesn’t necessarily mean replaced.
One example is customer service. AI chatbots can already help a customer reset a password, look up an account information, and help track orders. Automated systems can also take over some repetitive work traditionally performed by a customer service representative.
However, more complex tasks still require human judgment, empathy, problem-solving, and decision-making. For job seekers, that means thinking about how technology might change the skills employers value in the future.
Massachusetts has alternatives to a four-year college
In Massachusetts, there are several opportunities to earn certificates in a range of disciplines.
Community colleges offer certificate programs in fields that range from cyber security to phlebotomy. Some programs may be free to eligible Massachusetts residents through the state’s free community college initiatives.
Technical and vocational schools offer pathways into skilled careers, while state-sponsored programs can help residents gain training and connect with employers.
MassHire Department of Career Services offers a statewide network of career centers that provide free services for Massachusetts residents. The network includes 25 career centers located across the Commonwealth offering a wide range of services from job postings to resume-writing workshops. Recently posted jobs include a campus safety officer, a chef, an office manager, and a leasing consultant. Many roles posted on their site do not require a four-year degree.
Is college still worth it?
None of this means a four-year degree has lost its value.
Research published by The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) reports that a full-time worker who has earned a high school diploma will make around $1.6 million during their career. Those holding a bachelor’s degree will earn around $2.8M over their lifetime.
But as the cost of four-year colleges climb, employers are demonstrating more flexibility with the “must have a four-year degree” requirement. The skills gap is a dilemma for many employers, and their response is to look beyond candidates who have a four-year degree. Relevant experience is rising to the top of the list of qualifications.
Pattie Hunt Sinacole is a human resources expert and works for First Beacon Group in Hopkinton, an HR consulting firm. She contributes weekly to Boston.com Jobs and the Boston Sunday Globe Money & Careers section.
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