Did you know that the college dropout rate in the US is around 40 percent? That’s a staggering number, and it seems to be getting higher every year. What’s causing all these people to drop out of college? One of the driving forces behind the changing college dropout statistics is many people feel like they can find success elsewhere without pursuing higher education and getting a degree. And that’s true! There are plenty of successful entrepreneurs who never finished college. 

College dropout rates are always changing, but in a world where starting your own business has never been easier thanks to the internet, there are more avenues to success for a college student than ever before. There are many reasons why a college student might drop out of school. Some might be trying to pursue their dreams, and others might not want that level of commitment or responsibility. Whatever the case, college is not for everyone.

College Dropout Rate US

The overall college dropout rate in the US for undergraduate students is 40% in 2022, with men more likely to drop out than women. This reflects a growing trend that has been happening since 1990 when the dropout rate was around 25%. Many people are dropping out to find success elsewhere, which could mean anything from going into business for yourself or working in a different field than you studied at college. 

Students leave school before graduating for many reasons. Student debt and student loans, struggles with coursework, a lack of belonging or engagement, or wanting to pursue other interests are some of the main reasons.

Private or public schools offering four-year programs have some of the highest college dropout rates, with 56% of students dropping out within six years. They might take a break, restart, and then drop out again before graduation, but overall, the dropout rate is higher for four-year programs, most likely because of the cost and commitment required for these programs. On the other hand, community college students have a much lower dropout rate at 27%. There could be many reasons for this difference, most likely that community college is more affordable with flexible schedules and smaller class sizes, which is more manageable for a young person.

The college graduation rate always changes, and thanks to the internet, there are more avenues to success than ever before. College dropouts have started some of the most successful brands and businesses today, including Facebook (Mark Zuckerberg), Microsoft (Bill Gates), and Apple (Steve Jobs). 

There are many other examples of wildly successful entrepreneurs who didn’t complete a college degree. These stories show us what can happen if you pursue your dreams and take risks instead of taking a safer route by getting a bachelor’s degree first.

Entrepreneurship in America

Entrepreneurship and small businesses are often considered the backbone of the economy. Why? Because they generate jobs, wealth, and innovation.

The United States is a great place to start your own business. More than half of the world’s billionaires are American citizens, and many of them made their fortunes by starting companies from scratch rather than inheriting them or joining family businesses, like so many other rich people in other countries do.

The US is one of the best countries in the world for entrepreneurs thanks to factors like strong economic fundamentals, efficient government bureaucracy, and an entrepreneurial culture that celebrates risk-taking.

The internet has made it easier than ever to start a business from anywhere in the world. All you need is an idea and some tech skills, and you can start building your business without investing in the physical infrastructure or hiring employees.

Internet-Based Businesses in 2022

Some of the best business ideas for 2022 are internet-based and do not require a bachelor’s degree. More people are spending more time online than ever before, and there are plenty of opportunities to make money online by providing services or selling products.

For example, you could start a blog about something that interests you and build up an audience before monetizing it with advertising revenue from companies like Google AdSense or affiliate marketing links to Amazon products. Blogging can be time-consuming, but it’s also very rewarding if you’re passionate about what you do.

You could also use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to promote your business or sell products directly through these networks by creating pages and accounts that link back to your website.

There are so many different ways for people to make money online today – all it takes is some creativity and a willingness to learn. You don’t need higher education or a college degree, and some of them you can start with only a high school diploma.

Here are five business ideas for 2022:

Start a Blog: Start a blog about something you’re passionate about, and build an audience before trying to monetize it. Use social media platforms, like Facebook or Twitter, to promote your blog and get more readership. Be sure that what you write is engaging enough that people will want to read more than just one post per day!

Start a YouTube Channel: Create videos about topics you’re interested in, or teach people how to do something they may need help with. YouTube is effective for building an audience and making money from it.

Start an Online Store: Build your own website with Shopify Hosting or use Amazon Associates if you don’t have much experience in web design. Then create a product line that people will buy! You can also sell products directly through Facebook Marketplace or other social media platforms.

Sell Services Online: There are many platforms, like Fiverr and Upwork, that let you sell services, like graphic design, writing, programming, or social media marketing. If you have a talent that you think you can monetize, then there’s no need to wait – jump right in!

Start a Freelance Business: Offer freelance services for companies looking for help with their content marketing strategy, graphic design needs (like creating infographics), writing blog posts about specific topics (expertise not required!), or anything else that falls under this category.

Why Starting a Business is Easier Than Ever in 2022

With the internet making it easier than ever to start a business, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get started right now, especially if you are not a college graduate.

The world has never been more connected, and people spend longer periods online than ever before! Entrepreneurs like yourself have an opportunity to reach out directly to customers all over the globe.

Plus, there are so many platforms and services available that it is easy to start your business. You can find affordable web hosting, design your website using templates or ready-made solutions, outsource work to freelancers from all over the world, and more!

College Dropout Rate: Final Thoughts

The overall college dropout rate for four-year programs in 2022 is 40%, and those students who decide to leave college often find a new path to success without ending up with excessive student loan debt. The business ideas above and so many others are waiting for you to tap into them.

If you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional college experience, these are some of the best options available today! If you decide this is not your cup of tea, don’t worry – there will always be another opportunity!