Reimagining the College Path: Helping the Next Generation Make Wise, Faithful Decisions

Is college still worth it?

It’s a question being discussed across dinner tables, in school meetings, and church lobbies. With student debt ballooning, job markets shifting, and confidence in higher education declining, families are starting to pause—and rightly so.

But the solution isn’t to fear the future. The solution is to prepare for it—with faith, wisdom, and intentional conversations. At its core, this is not just a financial issue. It’s a discipleship opportunity.

As stewards of the next generation, we get to guide our teens toward clarity—not just about college, but about calling. This means moving beyond assumptions like “college is the only path” or “everyone in our family is an engineer,” and instead asking deeper questions:

• What has God uniquely wired this young person to do?

• What educational path aligns with that wiring?

• How can we steward time, money, and opportunity in light of that calling?

Lisa Marker-Robbins, a veteran educator and founder of Flourish Coaching, has helped over 4,000 students and families answer these very questions. Her advice? Don’t drift—design. That means starting the conversation early—around 10th grade—and continuing it consistently.

Here are a few takeaways every parent and grandparent should consider:

1. Don’t default. Design.

Too many students choose college by default. It’s what their family did. It’s what their friends are doing. It’s what’s expected. But default leads to debt, disillusionment, and detours. Design, on the other hand, begins with prayer, clarity, and intention. Begin with the career, then identify the major, then build the college list—not the other way around.

2. Clarify the win.

Is the goal financial success, personal fulfillment—or both? It’s possible to choose a high-paying path and still feel stuck. It’s also possible to pursue passion but struggle to make ends meet. The key is finding the intersection of purpose and provision. When young adults understand their wiring—through tools like the Birkman assessment or practical experiences like job shadows—they can make choices that align with both.

3. Replace pressure with prayer.

God’s Word reminds us: “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” (Proverbs 18:15, ESV). Planning for life after high school doesn’t have to be overwhelming. When families create space for honest conversations—weekly pancake breakfasts, coffee shop chats, Saturday planning sessions—it becomes less about pressure and more about partnership.

4. Explore beyond the obvious.

Four-year colleges are just one of many good options. Some students thrive in apprenticeships, trades, two-year programs, or certifications. Others flourish in entrepreneurial paths or gap year opportunities. The path doesn’t need to be predictable—it needs to be purposeful.

5. Steward the investment.

Education is one of the most significant financial decisions a family will ever make. And like any investment, it should come with a reasonable ROI. That’s not just about income—it’s about impact. Is this education preparing the student to become who God created them to be?

In the end, this isn’t just about majors and applications. It’s about identity and discipleship. When we give our teens the tools to explore their gifts, understand their wiring, and seek God’s voice, we’re doing more than helping them “pick a college.” We’re equipping them to live with wisdom, walk in calling, and steward their lives with purpose.

And that is a journey worth investing in.

NEXT STEPS: If you want to go a little deeper, please listen to Money Made Faithful podcast Episode #198 titled: Finding the Right Path for Your Student's College & Career Journey (38 minutes)

Apple: Episode #198: Finding the Right Path for Your Student's College & Career Journey 

Spotify: Episode #198: Finding the Right Path for Your Student's College & Career Journey