By Lisa Nehring, M.A., M.H.D., Director of True North Academy
Why Parents (and Teens) Feel Stuck
Tuition is skyrocketing. Textbooks cost more than some laptops. And for every cap-and-gown photo you see on social media, there’s another graduate staring down five-figure debt and a shaky job market. If you’ve caught yourself wondering…
“Is college even worth it anymore?”
…you’re not alone. Over the last decade I’ve spoken with thousands of homeschool families who feel the pressure to send their kids to a “good” school—yet fear the financial, academic, and even spiritual fallout that can follow.
A Few Numbers That Should Make Us All Pause
- 20 % tuition hike in 10 years
- 400 % jump in textbook prices during the same period
- Average in-state cost: $28,000 per year (private schools often top $65K)
- U.S. student-loan debt: $1.1 trillion and climbing
- Over 50 % of freshmen never finish their degree
- 70 % of evangelical students renounce their faith by Thanksgiving of freshman year
And here’s the kicker: the average bachelor’s now takes six years instead of four, delaying entry into the workforce (or graduate school) by two full years.
No wonder “college anxiety” is practically a rite of passage for teens and parents alike.
Two Fresh Paths Forward
At True North Academy we’ve spent years asking a single question: How can families get the benefits of higher education without the baggage? The answer, it turns out, isn’t either/or. It’s both/and—a pair of programs designed to meet radically different student goals:
- Dual Degree High School – Graduate at 18 with your high-school diploma and an accredited bachelor’s degree (yes, really).
- Tech & Trades Diploma – Finish a focused, two-year high-school track that feeds straight into paid apprenticeships in high-demand trades.
Let’s unpack each option.
1. Dual Degree High School: Two Diplomas, Zero Debt
How it works
- Students take 10 courses per calendar year (a blend of live and self-paced).
- Each course is pre-approved by one of our Cognia-accredited partner universities.
- After completing a class, students sit for a 50-question exam (retakes allowed).
- Pass the test, bank the credit. Collect 120 credits and the university confers the bachelor’s—all before most peers have chosen a dorm room.
Why families love it
| Traditional College | Dual Degree Path |
|---|---|
| 4–6 years on campus | Finish by senior year of HS |
| $100K+ possible debt | Fraction of the cost (ESA/529-eligible) |
| Ideological pressure cooker | Faith-affirming teachers + advising |
| Generic gen-ed courses | Purpose-built classes that actually transfer |
Is it rigorous? Absolutely. But our study-guide-plus-exam model walks students step-by-step, and dedicated advisors keep them on track the whole way.
2. Tech & Trades Diploma: Fast-Track to In-Demand Careers
If your teen thrives with hands-on work, the trades aren’t a “fallback”—they’re a fast lane. Consider:
- 7 million skilled-trade openings right now
- Projected shortfall of 2 million workers by 2030
- Starting wages of $18–$30/hr (often with benefits and zero debt)
Our Tech & Trades track delivers:
- 22 high-school credits in two years (core academics + life & soft skills)
- Tool identification, safety, and math for trades in Year 1 (apprenticeship-ready basics)
- Year 2 specialization—students pair with vetted employers in HVAC, electrical, auto tech, welding, and more
- Apprenticeship matching through union partners, SkillsUSA contacts, and private companies that want homeschool talent
Graduates walk out with a diploma, a resume full of real experience, and a head start on licensure hours.
The Big Question: Does the Paper Still Matter?
Short answer: yes—but only when it builds what psychologist Dr. Meg Jay calls identity capital: skills, relationships, and credentials that open doors. A bachelor’s earned debt-free in high school definitely fits that bill. So does a journeyman electrician card (often worth six figures within a few years).
What no longer matters? Signing a blank check for “the college experience” and hoping it all works out.
Which Path Fits Your Teen?
| Your Teen… | Best Fit |
|---|---|
| Is academically driven, loves self-learning, and may pursue grad school | Dual Degree |
| Prefers hands-on projects, wants to earn while they learn | Tech & Trades |
| Isn’t sure yet? | Start Tech & Trades for two years, then roll credits into Dual Degree for a powerful 1-2 punch |
Both programs welcome typical learners, twice-exceptional students, medically fragile teens, and budding entrepreneurs. We even have varsity athletes and part-time employees making it work—thanks to our flexible block schedule and robust virtual campus.
Still Unsure? Here Are Your Next Steps
- Download our free “College Dilemma Checklist.” It walks you through every myth and money trap most families miss.
- Watch the FAQ videos on each program page for a deeper dive. Dual Degree | Tech Trade Diploma
- Book a no-cost, 15-minute advising call. Bring your transcript (or your fears!) and we’ll map out concrete options—no pressure, ever.
“Why pay for extra years of school when your teen can graduate with no debt, real-world skills, and a degree in hand before their peers even move into the dorms?”
Ready to explore? Click below and schedule your advising session today.
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If you found these insights helpful, pass them on. Together we can help families sidestep crushing debt, reclaim their teens’ faith and futures, and prove that higher education doesn’t have to be hard—or expensive.
Lisa Nehring and her husband, Dr. David Nehring, a Clinical Psychologist, and Biblical Scholar speak together on a wide variety of topics, including education, classical education, vision, mission, parenting, marriage, and more.
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