Young men ditching college. Enrollment in the United States has been steadily declining, with new data showing a sharp contrast in educational choices between men and women. While nearly half of women aged 25 to 34 now hold a bachelor’s degree, only 37% of men in the same age group have reached the same milestone.
Between 2011 and 2022, U.S. college enrollment dropped by about 1.2 million students, with the majority of that decline driven by men opting out of higher education. The shift is fueled by rising tuition costs, a desire to earn money sooner, and the growth of alternative career paths that don’t require a degree.
In Lake County, Ohio, college enrollment among young men has plummeted—from half a decade ago to just one in three today. Students say the appeal of trades, where income starts during training and job security is more immediate, feels more dependable. One student noted the trade path is “safer,” a sentiment echoed across online platforms that encourage skipping traditional college.
YouTube, in particular, plays a major role in influencing young men’s decisions. Pew Research found that 20% of boys aged 13–17 are online on YouTube almost constantly. Content promoting trades and entrepreneurship over college is widespread, with figures like Charlie Kirk amplifying skepticism toward universities. In his book The College Scam, Kirk argues that colleges are financially draining and ideologically biased against conservative values.
Advisors and educators voice concern that many young men may be rejecting college without fully understanding the long-term implications. Liz Brainard, a college advisor in Ohio, warns students not to view skipping college as an easy solution to boredom or financial stress. “I worry about those students,” she said.
Still, for young men like 19-year-old Jayden Owens, the choice feels clear. After completing a trade school program, Owens now works for a private ambulance company and is training to become a paramedic. “College takes longer… I had enough of that in high school,” he said. Owens emphasized the hands-on, purpose-driven nature of his work, noting that it gives him a sense of masculinity and responsibility.
As America’s young men increasingly pursue work over degrees, the long-standing belief that college is the default next step is being challenged—perhaps permanently.
