Alternatives to college
Teach yourself
Online courses, books, open-source projects and mentors. A portfolio of real work can say more than a transcript.
Start something
A company, a freelance practice, or a side project that turns into a job.
Get hired & learn on the job
Many employers now hire for skills, not degrees, and the job becomes your classroom.
Degrees that count real life
Alternative programs, like Elton University, that give credit for what you do in the world.
Bootcamps
Intensive programs in software, data, design and sales. Results vary a lot, so vet them carefully.
Certifications
Short, industry-recognized credentials in IT, cloud, healthcare and more.
Community college
Low-cost courses and associate degrees, plus a cheaper route to a bachelor's if you need one later.
Trades & apprenticeships
Electrical, HVAC, construction and more. Get paid while you train.
Gap year
Work, travel, build or volunteer (AmeriCorps, for example) with a plan, then decide.
Who built this, and why
College Alternatives was built by Elton University, a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit university. We started Elton because traditional college asks you to spend four years and a lot of money following someone else's plan before you get to do real work. We think school should work the other way around.
Follow your curiosity
Instead of a fixed curriculum, you build a personalized learning plan around what you actually want to learn.
One-on-one tutoring
Oxford-style tutorials with expert professors, plus a personal coach, instead of a lecture hall of hundreds.
Job-ready skills
Bachelor's, master's and certificate programs in software and AI, cybersecurity, business, economics, writing and more.
Finish faster
A bachelor's typically takes 2-3 years, and certificates in software and AI, business or cybersecurity can take as little as 16 weeks.
Work while you learn
You don't have to put your life on hold. Get a job while you're in school.
Credit for what you do
Earn credit toward your degree for what you learn on the job, plus AP and transfer credit.
We built this counselor because the right next step isn't always Elton, and it isn't always college. It will tell you honestly when we might fit, and when something else fits better.
Explore Elton University →Questions people ask
- Is college worth it?
- Sometimes. For careers like medicine or law, a degree is required. For many others, there are faster, cheaper paths. The right answer depends on your goals, your finances and how you like to learn. That's what the counselor helps you work out.
- What jobs pay well without a degree?
- Many tech roles, sales, entrepreneurship, some healthcare jobs and skilled trades can all pay well. Pay varies by location, so the counselor can look up current numbers for your area.
- Who built this?
- Elton University, a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit university. We think traditional college fails a lot of people, so we built a counselor that helps you find your path, even when it isn't us.
- Is it free?
- Yes. No account needed.