For some, attaining a college degree takes a number of years and includes working several jobs along the way. Others still have the opportunity to finish in four years at a liberal arts institution.

But as more options have emerged — including expansion of fields offered by community colleges or a greater commitment to trade schools — it seems that fewer Americans have faith in the importance of getting a degree. Growing cost is definitely one factor in that.

To learn more about some of the possibilities for students in Arizona, we talked with Jennifer Rhodes, Program Manager of Knowledge Mobilization Initiatives in ASU’s Graduate College, and CJ Wurster, Dean of Trade and Technical Training at Gateway Community College.