The characters of Riverdale are getting ready for a new chapter of life after high school, but what should that chapter look like?
Like any high school graduating class, the characters of Riverdale are at the precipice of opportunity. As they prepare to leave the hallowed halls of Riverdale High and Stonewall Prep behind, there are many potential paths that they could choose to follow.
Related: Why fewer parents on Riverdale might actually be a good thing
While most of the students are at least considering college, it’s important to remember that college is not the only option. In fact, it’s far from the best option for some. While some people and career paths benefit from higher education, others would be better off honing other skillsets or getting to work right away.
Here’s what we think the characters of Riverdale should do after they graduate high school.
Archie Andrews
At this point, it doesn’t even look like Archie will be graduating from Riverdale High with his friends, but with his plan to get his grades up and finish in the fall, he’ll be onto the next adventure in no time.
That being said, I absolutely do not think that Archie should go to college. While he has a lot to learn, he’s proven that school is not the best learning environment for him. He’s never cared about it, and he seems to do much better on the job.
I also don’t think that he should start running his dad’s business or El Royale as a full time gig. His heart is too big and his brain is too devoid of knowledge for that. Even though either of those career paths would make sense for him, he’s not ready to turn them into thriving businesses.
The naval academy is a good option, but Archie doesn’t seem to care about it, so that’s not a great path either. Instead, I think Archie should either work with/for somebody else who’s running his dad’s business. He could learn the ropes and take over when he’s actually ready.
As an alternative option, I think it would be awesome if Archie went and worked or volunteered for a non-profit. He obviously cares about helping people, and he could learn more about running a business that supports the community. Maybe he could also eventually get the organization to sponsor the El Royale!
Veronica Lodge
This one might be controversial, but I also don’t think Veronica should go to college. I’m sure she’d have a blast with the college experience and she’d enjoy learning new and interesting subjects, but I don’t think it’s the best place for her to be.
It doesn’t always look like Veronica has the best ideas on Riverdale, but she still manages to come up with one successful business idea after another. Just imagine where she’d be if she didn’t have Riverdale’s resident tyrant breathing down her neck at all times.
Veronica has been soaking in all of her family’s business acumen her entire life, and she’s already putting it into practice. I think she should either stay in Riverdale and nurture her existing businesses, take Red Raven Rum on the road, or move somewhere new and work on a new idea.
Her family’s legacy, wealth of knowledge, and just plain wealth have already given her the tools she needs. Going to business school would only set her back a few years. She’s rich enough that she can afford to audit classes that she finds interesting if she wants to keep learning. This path could also keep her in Riverdale with Archie if the two of them stay together!
Cheryl Blossom
Veronica may have proven her abilities already, but Cheryl still has a lot of learning to do. I think she should go to college for either business or something government related. She’s a natural born leader, but she needs something to back her bravado up with.
I also think Cheryl could benefit from getting far away from her family and their history. It definitely wouldn’t hurt for her to swim in a bigger pond either. She could certainly stand to gain some humility, while maintaining her signature spunk, of course.
Betty Cooper
I want Betty to have everything that she wants and she really wants to go to college, so I absolutely think she should go to college. Betty is great at everything she does, and I know college would be no different. She would have the best time as a journalism student, chasing down leads and working with her like-minded peers.
Betty has lived in the shadows for far too long in Riverdale. She hid in the shadows waiting for Archie to see her for years, and she now suffers in the shadow of her father’s sins. She needs to go somewhere where nobody knows her name, where everybody can simply see her for the amazing woman that she is.
A potential alternative path for Betty would be to continue training with the FBI. Charles may not be legit, but Betty’s skills are. Living in Riverdale is bound to give anyone a thirst for justice, and I can see her putting that to good use as an agent.
Jughead Jones
I’m just going to proceed with this as if Jughead will absolutely be alive to do something after high school, because I refuse to acknowledge any other possibility. Assuming he won’t be zombie-walking across the stage, Jughead also has some big decisions to make.
Related: Why Riverdale’s Jughead Jones can’t be dead in season 4
While I think Jughead could be a successful writer without ever stepping foot on college grounds, his love for learning and his excitement in those early Stonewall Prep classes makes me think that college is the place for him. I would love to see Jughead and Betty together at Yale, just learning and being in love and stuff.