Non-degree credentials have a pivotal role in our economy

Adults who do not hold college degrees, but who have earned non-degree credentials, report greater income and happiness with their educational paths compared to adults without credentials, according to a new report.

The report comes from the Strada Education Network and Lumina Foundation. Certified Value: When do Adults without Degrees Benefit from Earning Certificates and Certifications? intends to fill the still-empty space around what is known about the value and impact non-degree credentials, such as certificates or certifications, have for those who earn them.

Specifically, adults without a degree who hold a certificate or certification:

Have higher full-time employment rates compared to peers without non-degree credentials (85 percent vs. 78 percent)
Have self-reported median annual incomes of $45,000 compared to $30,000 for those without non-degree credentials
View their education paths are more valuable and are more likely to recommend them to others than are those without non-degree credentials