What can I do now that I have my GED?

After earning your GED, you can pursue higher education (community college, university), vocational training (trade school), get a better job or promotion, or gain certifications, with options including immediate digital access to your diploma and transcripts for applications. The best next step depends on your career goals, but community colleges and career centers offer great resources to help you decide on paths like a certificate, associate's degree, or specific job training.

What can I do once I get my GED?

As a GED holder, you can apply to community colleges, technical schools, and universities to earn a college degree or pursue vocational training. Many colleges and universities even have specific programs designed for GED holders that provide additional support and resources to help you succeed.

What's the highest paying job with a GED?

Real Estate Appraiser

Their reports are used for sales, mortgages, purchases, or investments and loans. This position also belongs to the highest-paying jobs with a GED. Real estate appraisers determine the final estimated values of properties. They look at things such as location and the value of similar properties.

What happens when you finish GED?

After earning your GED, you'll immediately receive an official digital transcript and diploma via email, which you can download and share with colleges or employers. You can also request a printed diploma, receive a free college class, attend a graduation ceremony, and explore next steps with a Navigator.

What are the benefits of having a GED?

Earning a GED (General Education Development) certificate offers significant benefits, including opening doors to better jobs with higher pay (as many employers require a high school diploma equivalent), providing a pathway to further education like college or trade schools, boosting personal confidence and self-esteem, and improving your overall financial future and career opportunities. It's a recognized credential that demonstrates commitment and skills, unlocking more possibilities than having no diploma at all.
 

4 things you can do after passing the GED

What is the downside of a GED?

Disadvantages of a GED include potential employer/college bias favoring traditional diplomas, fewer networking/extracurricular opportunities, lower earning potential in some studies, and the need for significant self-discipline for the self-study format, which might leave knowledge gaps compared to a structured high school curriculum. It also comes with testing fees, unlike free public high school diplomas, and may not be accepted by certain programs or the military as readily.
 

Can you become anything with a GED?

Individuals who have a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED, can qualify for management roles in these industries through practical experience gained working in entry-level positions. Individuals with a GED can also pursue opportunities as lodging, property, real estate, or community association managers.

Can I say I graduated if I got my GED?

Yes, you absolutely can say you "graduated" with a GED, as it's officially a high school equivalency diploma recognized by employers and colleges, but you should be accurate and list it as a "General Educational Development (GED) Certificate" or mention you earned your "high school equivalency diploma," demonstrating you met 12th-grade level skills. It's best to list it in your education section just like a diploma, showing you achieved equivalent knowledge, and it opens doors for jobs and further education. 

Can I get a job with no GED?

Many employers hire workers based on skills, work ethic and personality rather than education. Start by searching online for jobs that don't require a diploma or GED. Many job boards now let you filter results with options like “no degree required” or “no diploma needed.”

Does a GED expire?

Once you've passed all four GED subtests, you've earned your diploma, and that will retain its validity forever!

What jobs make $3,000 a month without a degree?

You can earn $3,000 a month without a degree in roles like Dental/Medical Assistant (with short training), skilled trades (Electrician, HVAC), Delivery Driver (UPS, FedEx), specialized sales, Real Estate Agent, and some tech roles like AI Trainer or Medical Coder, often requiring certifications, apprenticeships, or a strong work ethic for entry, with remote options available in customer service or data entry if you have strong computer skills, notes www.nysmda.com, Tallo, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Jobs/3000-A-Month-Jobs-No-Degree. 

Is it hard to get a job with just a GED?

Having a GED will open up a slew of career opportunities. With it, you can be admitted into a community college or be considered for employment in well-paying jobs that require a high school diploma, such as a janitor, shop service manager, land surveyor, tool and die maker, or sanitation supervisor.

How to make $100,000 a year with no degree?

You can earn $100k without a degree through high-demand skilled trades (electrician, plumber, elevator technician), tech roles (software developer, IT), sales (tech, insurance, management), specialized fields (air traffic controller, commercial pilot, nuclear technician, construction manager), or entrepreneurship, focusing on certifications, apprenticeships, experience, and high-value skills over formal education. Success relies on practical expertise and building a portfolio, often bypassing college debt for faster, lucrative entry. 

Does GED count as a degree?

No, a GED (General Educational Development) is not a degree; it's a High School Equivalency credential, a certificate earned by passing four tests that demonstrate knowledge equivalent to a high school diploma, serving as an alternative for those who didn't finish traditional high school. While most employers and colleges view it as equivalent to a diploma, it's a different path to showing you've met secondary education standards, opening doors to jobs, trade schools, and further college education. 

Does Harvard accept GED?

Yes, Harvard University accepts GEDs as an equivalent to a high school diploma for admission, but applicants need to demonstrate exceptional academic readiness and promise, often through outstanding SAT/ACT scores, strong extracurriculars, and compelling personal experiences to stand out among highly competitive applicants. While a GED allows you to apply, you must prove you're academically competitive with traditional high school graduates, as Harvard looks for top-tier candidates.
 

What is the next step after getting a GED?

The GED Tech Apprenticeship™ program

The program provides free technology training to all GED learners across a range of high-demand areas like software engineering, cyber security, and data analytics, then matches your skills to open roles with leading US employers.

Do jobs check if you have a GED?

Background checks usually verify whether a candidate received a post-high school academic degree from an educational institution. If necessary, high school diplomas and GED credentials may also be confirmed.

What degree can I get with no GED?

In some states, students without a high school diploma or GED certificate can earn an associate degree through community college. Other states require a high school or GED diploma. A bachelor's degree from a four-year school also requires these credentials.

What are the benefits of getting a GED?

Earning a GED (General Education Development) certificate offers significant benefits, including opening doors to better jobs with higher pay (as many employers require a high school diploma equivalent), providing a pathway to further education like college or trade schools, boosting personal confidence and self-esteem, and improving your overall financial future and career opportunities. It's a recognized credential that demonstrates commitment and skills, unlocking more possibilities than having no diploma at all.
 

What is the downside of getting a GED?

However, there are some downsides to a GED. It carries a stigma of not being as robust as a high school degree and may appear as a “red flag” to potential employers. While GEDs are valuable and can help you start a new career or prepare you for college programs, they aren't always treated like a degree.

How do companies check if you graduated high school?

Employers verify high school diplomas by contacting the school's registrar, using third-party background check services like National Student Clearinghouse, or asking candidates for official transcripts, ensuring compliance with laws like FERPA by getting the applicant's consent through a signed release. This process confirms graduation dates, enrollment, and the legitimacy of claimed credentials, helping to prevent hiring risks from falsified information, say resources from GCheck. 

Will a university accept a GED?

What Colleges Accept the GED Diploma? Nearly 98% of U.S. colleges accept the GED certificate, according to the GED Testing Service. This includes community colleges, vocational schools, private universities, and public universities. College students can study online or in person after earning a GED certificate.

Is GED better than diploma?

A high school diploma is generally considered better than a GED because it often leads to higher earnings, better college acceptance rates, and is viewed more favorably by employers, signaling greater commitment, though both prove high school-level knowledge. A diploma shows completion of a multi-year program, while a GED is an equivalency test, making the diploma a stronger indicator of academic engagement and future readiness, though the GED offers flexibility for those needing an alternative path.
 

What is my GPA if I got a GED?

To convert your GED to a GPA, divide your total score by the number of sections on the test you took. Most students are tested on five sections of the GED. For example, if your total score was 2300 and you took five sections, your average GED score would be 460 (2300/5 = 460).

Is it hard to get jobs with a GED?

Yes, it can be harder to get certain jobs with a GED than a high school diploma because some employers prefer diplomas, viewing them as proof of sustained effort, while many jobs still list a diploma as a minimum, but getting a GED significantly improves opportunities over having no credential, opening doors to most roles and further education, especially with skills training. The key is that while a diploma might offer smoother access, the GED demonstrates perseverance, and vocational training or experience can often bridge any gap, with many employers seeing them as equivalent.