In recent years, the escalating costs of higher education have become a formidable challenge for aspiring students. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of obtaining a bachelor’s degree from an in-state public institution has surged to $89,556. As a result, over 86% of undergraduates rely on loans, often taking nearly two decades to repay them. Mike Feinberg, co-founder of the WorkTexas program, highlights the significant implications this debt has on students’ futures.
“Back in the ’90s, taking out a student loan was akin to securing a car loan. Today, it’s more like a home mortgage,” Feinberg explains. This mounting financial burden has led many to reconsider the necessity of a traditional college education.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation conducted a study revealing that high school students now see alternative educational paths as more valuable. Courses that offer licenses or professional certificates ranked higher than two- or four-year college programs. Feinberg’s WorkTexas initiative, launched in 2020, caters to this shift by providing skill-based training to both high school students and adults.
WorkTexas allows participants to earn degrees while gaining hands-on experience in fields such as welding, carpentry, and commercial truck driving. Thanks to grants and other funding, many students can access this education for free. “Most of our participants are here because they need a job or a better job,” Feinberg says.
The program collaborates with various industries to develop its curriculum and often provides employment opportunities for its graduates. Feinberg emphasizes that WorkTexas maintains contact with alumni for at least five years post-graduation to ensure long-term success. “We aim to help them not just secure a job, but build a sustainable career,” he adds.
As college costs continue to rise, Feinberg anticipates that more students will seek alternative educational routes like those offered by WorkTexas. “Families are becoming more educated about their options. They realize that they don’t have to follow the traditional path to achieve financial stability,” says Feinberg.
With college tuition expected to further increase, potentially reaching $100,000 annually for some private institutions by 2030, programs like WorkTexas could become increasingly vital. Feinberg believes that the future of education lies in such practical, skill-based alternatives.