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In order to get into college, you’ll typically need either a high school diploma or a passing score on the GED test. Many colleges accept other high school equivalency tests as well.
But what if you don’t have any of these credentials? Can you go to college without a GED certificate or high school diploma?
Many accredited colleges, including many online schools, don’t require a high school or GED diploma to enroll in classes. Some even help students pass the GED exam while enrolled, allowing them to jumpstart their degree or certificate program.
Earning a high school diploma opens doors to more education and job opportunities But if you don’t have a high school diploma, all hope is not lost. There are still career pathways available without this credential
Many vocational programs and community colleges don’t require a high school diploma or GED. By developing specialized skills and experience you can build a successful career even without a traditional high school education.
This article explores some of the top jobs and career programs open to you even if you lack a high school diploma. With a mix of quick training programs and apprenticeships, you can gain the expertise needed to thrive in these fields.
Overview of Career Options Without a High School Diploma
While job prospects are more limited without a diploma, positions are out there. Focus your search on hands-on jobs that value concrete skills over academic credentials. Key industries include:
- Trades: Construction, electrical, plumbing, machining, welding, mechanics
- Transportation: Truck driving, delivery driving, railroad work, aviation
- Services: Food service, hospitality, cosmetology, childcare
- Production: Manufacturing, assembly, warehousing, equipment operation
- Public services: Firefighting, law enforcement, EMT
Within these fields, there are short-term training programs, apprenticeships, and direct career opportunities available if you have the right skill set and determination to succeed.
Exciting Career Programs You Can Start Without a High School Diploma
Check out these career programs and entry-level jobs you can pursue without needing to complete high school:
1. Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Become an electrician and learn to install, maintain, and repair electrical power systems, wiring, and equipment. Training programs are often around 6 months.
- Minimal education needed: High school diploma/GED not required
- Median salary: $56,180
2. Truck Driving
Obtain your commercial driver’s license (CDL) through a 4-6 week program and hit the open roads as a trucker or delivery driver. Hands-on training is key.
- Minimal education needed: High school diploma/GED not required
- Median salary: $47,130
3. Cosmetology
Express your creativity by learning hair design, skin care, makeup artistry, and nail technology. A cosmetology certificate can take under a year to complete.
- Minimal education needed: High school diploma/GED not required
- Median salary: $30,490
4. Manufacturing & Production
Gain skills for in-demand factory and plant positions involving equipment operation, assembly, inspection, and more. No diploma required.
- Minimal education needed: On-the-job training
- Median salary: $37,440
5. Construction Crafts & Trades
Choose from programs training you for carpentry, plumbing, masonry, HVAC maintenance, and other construction careers. Timeframes vary.
- Minimal education needed: Apprenticeship after short program
- Median salary: $46,590
6. Automotive Service Technician
Tune up your auto mechanic skills through a 6 month certificate program or apprenticeship. No high school diploma needed to start.
- Minimal education needed: Industry-based credentials
- Median salary: $43,680
7. Aviation & Flight Technology
Soar to new heights through flight training programs teaching aircraft operation, navigation, repair, and other aviation skills. Takes 1-2 years.
- Minimal education needed: High school diploma/GED not required
- Median salary: $66,680
8. Railroad Operations
All aboard a railroad profession! Get started through a short training program and begin working as a conductor, signal operator, or other rail transportation role.
- Minimal education needed: Short program
- Median salary: $63,140
9. Wind Energy
Breeze into a renewable energy career through a wind technician program. Train to install, inspect, and maintain wind turbines. Timeframes vary.
- Minimal education needed: Some programs available without high school diploma
- Median salary: $52,910
10. Hospitality & Tourism
Learn the ropes of restaurants, hotels, theme parks, and other tourism spots through on-site training programs to kickstart your hospitality career.
- Minimal education needed: No diploma required for many entry-level jobs
- Median salary: $27,690
11. Fire Science & Firefighting
Start heating up your firefighting career by gaining fire agency preemployment qualifications. Look for programs with flexible diploma requirements.
- Minimal education needed: Depends on state requirements
- Median salary: $50,950
12. EMT & Paramedic Training
Gear up for an emergency medical career through an EMT certificate program. Paramedic training may require a diploma. Durations vary.
- Minimal education needed: EMT programs may not require diploma
- Median salary: $35,400
13. Law Enforcement Training
Enter an academy program to start your journey toward becoming a police officer or deputy sheriff. On-the-job training also key.
- Minimal education needed: Requirements vary
- Median salary: $67,600
14. Welding Technologies
Ignite your welding career aspirations through a short welding program teaching techniques like MIG and TIG. Hands-on training delivered through community colleges or trade schools.
- Minimal education needed: No high school diploma required for many programs
- Median salary: $44,190
15. Commercial Diving
Take the plunge into an underwater welding or commercial diving career through a diving certification program. Earn certs as you gain experience.
- Minimal education needed: Some programs available without high school diploma
- Median salary: $54,110
16. Drone Pilot Training
Pilot drones for filmmaking, photography, surveying, mapping, and more applications through exam prep training leading to your remote pilot certificate. Look for short programs that do not require completion of high school.
- Minimal education needed: No diploma requirements for some exam prep programs
- Median salary: $44,290
17. Culinary Arts & Chef Training
Whip up a culinary career through short-term cooking, pastry, and restaurant training programs. Use these as a stepping stone to chef positions.
- Minimal education needed: No high school diploma required for many entry-level roles
- Median salary: $29,780
18. Early Childhood Care & Education
Start caring for children as an early education assistant or daycare worker through on-site daycare training programs. Some community colleges offer these without requiring a high school diploma.
- Minimal education needed: Short programs available in some states
- Median salary: $27,680
19. Trade Tasting & Import/Export Specialist
Break into the import/export field through on-the-job wine, beer, or coffee tasting programs to identify your strengths. Look for entry-level gigs at distributors.
- Minimal education needed: No formal education requirements
- Median salary: $40,900
Keys to Securing a Career Without a High School Diploma
While the careers above are accessible without a diploma, you still need to meet training requirements and demonstrate skills. Keep these tips in mind:
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Develop vocational skills through short, hands-on training programs in your field of interest. Seek programs offered through community colleges, trade schools, or professional associations.
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Pursue industry-based certifications to prove your competency. Receiving a certificate in your trade, like welding or trucking, can open doors.
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Start through on-the-job training or apprenticeship roles that get your foot in the door and let you gain experience. Entry-level jobs provide training.
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Be willing to start small doing grunt work and building fundamental skills that set the foundation for growth in your desired career.
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Highlight soft skills like work ethic, teamwork, discipline, and positivity during the hiring process. These assets can outweigh lack of a diploma.
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Consider earning your GED if needed to achieve your goals. Some careers requiring higher training may expect this credential.
Don’t let the lack of a high school diploma deter you. With grit and determination, you can absolutely begin a stable, rewarding career and get your start in the working world. Those who do may go on to earn even more credentials and certifications opening increased responsibilities. Pursue your passions, gain tangible skills, and build your employment profile step by step!
What Does the GED Test Entail?
The GED exam is a combination of four subject tests. You must pay to take each test, and fees vary depending on the state you’re in.
You can space out the four exams however you want — you’re not required to take them all at once.
| Subject | Time | Topics Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Reasoning | 1 hr 55 mins | Basic Math, Geometry, Basic Algebra, Graphs and Functions |
| Reasoning Through Language Arts | 2 hrs 30 mins | Reading for Meaning, Identifying and Creating Arguments, Grammar and Language |
| Social Studies | 1 hr 10 mins | Reading for Meaning, Analyzing Historical Events and Arguments, Using Numbers and Graphs |
| Science | 1 hr 30 mins | Reading for Meaning, Designing and Interpreting Science Experiments, Using Numbers and Graphics |
In order to earn a GED certificate, you must score a minimum of 145 out of 200 on all four tests. Those who earn a 175 or higher could get 10 undergraduate college credit hours to apply toward their college degree.
5 Ways to Attend College Without a High School Diploma or GED Certificate
Not all accredited U.S. colleges require you to have a high school or GED diploma. If you don’t have either of these credentials, you can get a college education by enrolling in individual classes, vocational programs, or adult high school before applying to a degree program.
Here are five moves you can make if you want to attend college without a GED certificate or high school diploma.
- 1
Find Colleges Without High School Diploma or GED Test Requirements
Colleges that don’t require a high school diploma or GED certificate often follow a multistep application process. For example, you may need to speak to an admissions officer, submit high school transcripts, or take an ability-to-benefit test like ACCUPLACER.College applicants without a diploma should primarily focus on accredited local community colleges and vocational schools. These institutions cater to prospective students who need to pass the GED test or take remedial courses. - 2
Take Individual Classes
Many junior and community colleges allow students to enroll in individual classes, usually for personal enrichment or professional development.Students without a high school diploma can also enroll in a GED preparation course. These courses emphasize the writing, math, and reading skills tested on the GED exam.Some colleges that don’t require a high school diploma allow you to earn college credit as you prepare for the GED test. This, however, means that the school may limit which courses you can take. - 3
Attend a Vocational School
Trade and vocational schools focus on career development, offering career-specific majors like automotive technician, business office administration, and electrician technician.These programs prioritize hands-on learning and normally take one or fewer years to complete.You’ll usually need a GED certificate or high school diploma to enroll, but you might be able to find a trade school that requires neither or will help prepare you to pass the GED exam. - 4
Enroll in Adult High School
Many private organizations and school districts offer adult high school, where nontraditional students learn in a classroom setting with other adult learners.Some programs offer night and weekend courses for adults working full time. Participants who meet their school’s education requirements will receive a high school diploma upon completion. School districts normally limit enrollment to residents and do not charge a fee.Similar programs include free GED test preparation courses and adult basic education courses. The latter may charge tuition.Once you earn a diploma through adult high school, you can use the credential to apply to an associate or bachelor’s degree program at any accredited college or university. - 5
Pass the GED Exam or Another High School Equivalency Test
Many accredited colleges allow you to enroll as long as you pass a high school equivalency test, like the GED test or HiSET exam.You must submit official scores with your application. Some schools may use a score cutoff for admission or enrollment in specific programs.If you don’t meet a school’s cutoff, you may still receive conditional admission. This means you must maintain good grades for a specific period while taking remedial courses. Once you do that, you’ll receive full admission to the college.
No High School Diploma or GED? You’re In Luck
Can you go to college without a high school diploma?
If you are one of the many students who want to go to college but don’t have a high school diploma or GED, you might feel as though your options are limited. However, some community colleges accept students without a high school diploma or GED, and some universities do as well.
Do community colleges accept students without a high school diploma?
However, some community colleges accept students without a high school diploma or GED, and some universities do as well. For those seeking vocational education, there are also trade schools that don’t require a high school diploma or GED.
Which community colleges do not require a high school diploma or GED?
There are several community colleges across the country that do not require a high school diploma or GED. Community colleges may offer a variety of trade school programs. These programs may include culinary, electrical, plumbing or others. Beauty Schools — Some beauty schools do not require students to have a high school diploma or GED.
Can you get a job without a high school diploma?
People without a high school diploma can expect higher unemployment rates. 98% of colleges accept applicants with GED diplomas, according to the GED Testing Service. Over 20 million students around the world have earned a GED certificate. Not all accredited U.S. colleges require you to have a high school or GED diploma.
