Students in the United States face a difficult decision regarding their higher education. With the global amount of student debt approaching $1 trillion, ever increasing tuition fees are leaving graduates deeper and deeper in debt. This combined with a faltering economy and high inflation; salaries are not rising to meet this increase in tuition fees. The global amount of student debt per year has doubled in the past decade and students are beginning the question the utility and return on investment of higher education. When comparing the education system in Germany to the USA, fewer students attend university in favour of vocational training and apprenticeship, and we see lower levels of student debt and higher youth employment. As tuition fees continue to outstrip graduate starting salaries it is possible that demand for university degrees may decrease, and a subsequent increase in apprenticeships and opportunities for school leavers may increase.