al jazeera's afnal jazeera's allen schauffler has spent time with those students. >> getting a lot ofls like this one. >> unfortunately, we will not be moving forward with your candidacy at this time. >> avery is an apprentice plum inner a hands-on four yea plumber in a hands on four year program. jill was in a program, school wasn't cheap. >> you're in debt $70,000. >> yes i am. >> how does that feel? >> terrifying. >> avery tried apprentice shipping. it just didn't take. he could earn more than $60,000 a year more as he gains skill and experience. >> i'm making money already and working on it. i mean they're work pg o workinn getting a career too, they also have to pay off those debts they get. >> america's total student debt now tops $1 trillion. sort of job market. stagnant wages. >> 70% of students graduate with debt, the level of that debt is $29,000 on average. study after study shows their earning potential is up higher than for those without a degree. dr. bill zumetta researches and teaches the economics of education. >> here's another big number. $300,000. what does that mea