Certificates and other non-degree credentials are the fastest growing sector in higher education, for very good reasons. They’re faster, cheaper, and often more career focused than traditional college degrees. This makes these types of certificate programs particularly ideal for working-age adults looking to upskill, reskill, and pivot careers.
According to the National Student Clearinghouse, “Enrollment in certificate programs at community colleges continues to show big gains,” increasing 12.71% over the past year alone – far more than other college offerings. Community colleges are also growing faster than the rest of higher education, – about three times as much, according to the National Student Clearinghouse.
But is the growth in certificate programs and other “micro-credentials” outpacing the ability of colleges to make sure these new programs are effective? “The microcredential landscape is often called a “wild west” in higher ed circles,” reporter Sara Weissman wrote in Inside Higher Ed last year.
That concern has led to action. Last year two accrediting agencies announced they would begin setting standards for programs ranging from certificates to badges to boot camps. Other accrediting agencies may follow suit.
And in June, a national panel of higher education experts – including Calbright’s Vice President of Research and development, Binh Thuy Do – gathered for an online forum to address the challenge of making sure that certificate programs are as effective as they are popular.
“We do not have systematic, reliable, and readily available information about whether and which credentials actually lead to increased productivity for employers and wage gains, better job opportunities, and greater economic security for workers,” moderator Seth Harris, a distinguished professor at Northeastern University and former senior official at the U.S. Department of Labor said.
Do noted part of the challenge of measuring effectiveness starts with ensuring non-credential and certificate programs are appropriately measured, and not just held to the same metrics used for traditional higher education programs.
“As a mission driven organization focused on upward social and economic mobility, we had to take a step back and really learn from our learners, learn from our community. What does upward mobility look like? How do we define it?” Do said. “And then actually put in data and metric and all the infrastructure to measure those pieces. Otherwise as a system, I think often in this industry, people try to move too fast to look at success through the lens of traditional academia.”
In addition to Do and Harris, the webinar “Show Me The Money: In a Crowded Market, How are Colleges Communicating the Value of Non-Degree Credentials,” included CredLens CEO Stacy Caldwell, and WASC Senior Colleges and University Commission Maria Toyoda.
Calbright does have preliminary but significant data on the impact of its programs. According to results compiled by several years of program evaluations, ongoing student satisfaction surveys, a 2025 alumni impact study by Calbright’s R&D team, and a partnership with CredLens:
- More than 80% of Calbright completers are employed a year after graduation.
- The median Calbright graduate makes over $8,000 more annually than they did before enrolling
That’s a substantial, measurable, impact – especially for no cost programs that can take less than a year to complete. It’s among the proof points thatCalbright’s model, carefully designed to meet labor market needs for upwardly mobile jobs, works for its students.
But many institutions do not have that kind of information.
“Leaders know their programs and they know their populations,” Caldwell said. “But they may not have enough rich, verified data to feel confident going public with what they know.”
But everyone on the panel agreed: The higher education and certificate program industry can solve this problem. The more attention that is paid, the better the situation will get, especially for prospective students.
Read reporting from The EduLedger on the panel, and watch the full webinar below.
