Is it hard to get a job without a college degree?
Sarah Garza
Updated on April 05, 2026
Believe it or not, finding a good job is difficult even for applicants with bachelor’s degrees. Although many employers on FlexJobs are looking for people with at least a bachelor’s degree, there are many others who look at hard work and experience above a diploma. It is possible to find a job without a college degree.
Can you survive without a college degree?
It’s no surprise that young people might be questioning the need for college. While degree holders do earn more than non-degree holders, making a good living without a degree is absolutely possible.
What are jobs called that don’t require a college degree?
Top jobs that don’t require a degree:
- Home health aide.
- Personal care aide.
- Wind turbine technician.
- Phlebotomist.
- Massage therapist.
- Landscaper and groundskeeper.
- Medical assistant.
- Flight attendant.
How many years of work experience is equivalent to a degree?
Determining bachelor’s degree equivalency An associate degree is roughly equivalent to 18 months to four years of work experience in a related field. A bachelor’s degree is roughly equivalent to four to eight years of work experience in a related field.
What jobs are in demand with a bachelor’s degree?
The top 11 in-demand jobs you can get with a bachelor’s degree
- Registered Nurses.
- Training and Development Specialist.
- Computer Scientist.
- Computer and Information Systems Managers.
- Coaches and Scouts.
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists.
- Medical and Health Services Managers.
- Fundraisers.
What can I do instead of going to college?
Here are five alternatives to college at a four-year school.
- Community college. Also known as: Junior or two-year college.
- Apprenticeship. Also known as: Job-based learning.
- Trade school. Also known as: Technical, career or vocational school.
- Online college.
- Coding bootcamps.
What do you do if you don’t finish college?
5 Steps to Take If You Don’t Finish Your College Degree
- Consider Alternative Education Options.
- Seek Out Opportunities to Learn on the Job.
- Opt for Positions Where Work Means More than Experience.
- Network, Network, Network.
- Consider Public Service Jobs.
What is the highest paying job that doesn’t require college?
Here are the highest paying jobs without a college degree: Patrol Officer. Executive Assistant. Sales Representative. Flight Attendant.
Can I be successful without college?
Why do so many people think that you have to go to college to be successful? Yes, it’s possible to succeed without a college degree. But with so many programs designed to take you from having no experience in a field to being highly-skilled and job-market ready, having a college degree offers a clear advantage.
Are there any jobs that don’t require a college degree?
Here are the selected jobs, listed in no particular order. It is not going to include every job, and some of the jobs are located in other states or geographical locations. That means you might have to move to get one of these jobs and spend some time making minimum wage before you can actually make what the median wages advertise.
Are there any companies that no longer require a degree?
15 More Companies That No Longer Require a Degree—Apply Now 1 Google 2 EY (Only in the UK) 3 Penguin Random House 4 Costco Wholesale 5 Whole Foods 6 Hilton 7 Publix 8 Apple 9 Starbucks 10 Nordstrom 11 Home Depot 12 IBM 13 Bank of America 14 Chipotle 15 Lowe’s More …
What happens if you don’t have a college degree?
Current unemployment statistics show that those without a college degree are twice as likely to be unemployed as those with a bachelor’s degree. One way students and families can tilt the equation in their favor is to simply spend less, experts say.
Is the future of work about college degrees?
The fifth annual survey, conducted by research firm Edelman Intelligence and co-commissioned by Upwork and Freelancers Union, polled 6,001 U.S. workers. This new data points to something much larger.