• Atlanta ranks #1 nationwide for search interest per capita in non-college career paths like trade school, apprenticeships, and certifications

• It also ranks #2 overall among 99 cities for non-college-bound high school grads

• Job access is strong, with Atlanta ranking #5 for no-degree job listings

• Georgia ranks #47 in trade school access

As more teens explore alternatives to traditional college, families are rethinking what it means to launch a successful career after high school. With rising tuition costs and growing opportunities in trades, tech, and hands-on careers, students are searching for paths that match their goals. Our recent analysis of job markets, pay potential, and education access across 99 U.S. cities offers a helpful guide for non-college-bound graduates. It shows where high school grads can find real opportunities to grow without a standard 4-year college degree. 

More Students Explore Alternatives to College

Students and families are increasingly turning to search engines for information about post-high school paths that don’t involve a typical college experience. We compared search volumes from the past year (March 2024–March 2025) to those in 2021 (the earliest year of available Google data) to see how interest has grown over time.

Searches for “trade school” reached over 828,000 in the past year, an increase of 117% since 2021. This significant growth highlights a rising interest in vocational education as a practical and rewarding alternative after graduation. Interest in “apprenticeships” also climbed sharply, with more than 418,000 searches, up 231% over the same period. These programs offer paid, hands-on experience and continue to appeal to students seeking career-ready skills without a four-year degree. 

While the total number of searches for “gap year programs” was smaller, the increase is still notable. With nearly 24,000 searches this past year (a rise of 85% since 2021), more students are exploring the option to pause before making long-term decisions. A gap year provides time to travel, volunteer, or work, giving young people space to reflect and plan their next steps with intention. 

Altogether, these non-college-focused search terms drew more than 1.27 million queries, signaling a strong interest in alternative post-high school paths. 

For the full report visit www.k12.com