06/21/2026
A welder with zero debt at 23 is in a stronger financial position than most college grads at 30.
I know that statement is going to ruffle some feathers. Let me back it up with real math.
The average student loan balance for a 2025 graduate is around $37,000. The average time to pay that off is 10 to 20 years depending on the repayment plan.
Meanwhile a welder, plumber, or HVAC tech can complete a trade program or apprenticeship in 6 months to 2 years, often getting PAID during the apprenticeship instead of paying tuition.
Walk the timeline forward.
The 23-year-old welder has zero debt, several years of work experience, and is likely earning $55,000 to $80,000 depending on specialty and location.
Some HVAC techs and welders with experience clear six figures, especially with overtime or running their own shop.
The 23-year-old college grad, if they finished on time, is carrying $37,000 in debt, just entering an entry-level job market, and likely earning $45,000 to $55,000 in their first real role.
They haven't started building equity yet. They're still paying off the cost of getting started.
Run that forward 7 more years to age 30.
The trades worker has had 7 more years of income, likely no debt, and real time to invest, save, or buy property.
The college grad has spent a chunk of those 7 years paying down the original $37,000, which with interest often turns into paying back $45,000 to $50,000 total over the life of the loan.
I'm not anti-college. I have a degree myself. What I am is anti-pretending there's only one responsible path to financial stability when the data clearly shows otherwise.
The trades aren't the backup plan anymore. For a lot of 18-year-olds, they're the smarter math.
