Post High School Options
Which is Best for You?
On-the-Job Training in Construction
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- $60,000/year – average entry-level earnings
- $0 – cost of training (get paid to be trained on the job)
- $0 – NO DEBT
- Be rewarded while building Nebraska’s roads and bridges
- Office = the great outdoors
- Company benefits
- Quick opportunity for promotion
Job Types: Laborer, with ability to climb the company’s ladder
Certificate Program / Trade School
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- $70,000/year – average starting salary as a trade school grad
- $3,800 – average cost of certificate program
- Under $1,000 – average student debt load
- 9 months – average time it takes to complete a certificate program
- Learn a skill related to a specific job
- Only pay for classes directly related to career path
- Hands-on learning environment
- High-demand for skilled trade workers
Programs: Heavy Equipment Operator Technician (CCC-Hastings), Concrete (SCC-Milford)
4-Year College
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- $80,000/year – average starting salary with bachelor’s degree
- $103,000 – average cost of 4-year college
- $31,330 – average student debt load
- 4 year – average time it takes to complete a bachelor’s degree
- Require to take classes outside of your major
- 40% of graduates are employed in a position that doesn’t require a college degree (even with one)
Programs: Construction Management at UNL, UNO, UNK, Hastings or Wayne State