Beyond the Four-Year Degree
Every route to your career, mapped.
Vega supports every path, not just the traditional one. Compare eight education routes side by side with real cost, real time, and real salary data, so the choice is made on evidence instead of assumption.
4-Year University
Traditional bachelor's degree with full alumni network and graduate school access.
Community College
Associate's degree at a fraction of the cost. Credits transfer.
Technical School
One-to-two year focused programs with industry certifications included.
Bootcamp / Online
Three-to-twelve month intensives in tech, design, and business.
Apprenticeship
Earn while you learn. Union trades pay from day one, with full benefits.
CTE Programs
Start in high school. Earn college credits and industry certs before you graduate.
Workforce Entry
Start working now and advance through experience and certifications.
Entrepreneurship
Build your own thing, with structured planning behind it.
Note on savings: Stackable credentials can significantly reduce total education cost. Specific percentages require a cited source and stated assumption set.
The Apprenticeship Panel
Nobody told you about these.
Five-year union apprenticeship. $0 tuition. Paid from your first day. Journeyman wage north of $55/hour with full benefits.
This is one of eight routes on Vega. Most students have never seen a single one of them laid out with the numbers attached.
IBEW Electrician
5-yr union apprenticeship
UBC Carpenter
4-yr union apprenticeship
UA Plumber
5-yr union apprenticeship
HVAC (SMART)
5-yr union apprenticeship
Welder (AWS)
1–2 yr vocational
Stackable Credential Ladder
Start earning credentials in high school and enter a four-year program as a junior instead of a freshman.
Most students have never seen a single one of these routes laid out with the numbers attached.
See which route fits your life
Answer 28 questions. Vega builds a pathway plan around your goals.
Start with your 28