Read Time
INDIANAPOLIS — July 28, 2021 — Strada Education Network, a nonprofit social impact organization dedicated to improving lives by forging pathways between education and employment, has released new findings from the nationally representative Strada-Gallup Education Survey, which asks adults about their experiences with education and work.
Since the onset of the pandemic, Americans have expressed a consistent preference for nondegree credentials (25 percent) and skills training options (37 percent). The new Public Viewpoint report documents that 2 in 5 Americans hold a nondegree credential. These credentials are especially valuable in combination with college degrees, in particular associate degrees. Positive ratings increase significantly for all individuals who hold both a degree and a nondegree credential, highlighting the potential value of education and training pathways that integrate both opportunities.
Overall, compared to their peers, those with a bachelor’s degree reported higher earnings and stronger ratings for value, with the exception of help with achieving their goals. When an associate degree was combined with a nondegree credential, 69 percent of recipients reported their education was worth the cost, compared to only 48 percent when they held an associate degree without a nondegree credential.
“Given Americans’ clear interest in nondegree credentials, these new insights point us to the fact that individuals with both college degrees and nondegree credentials consistently report the greatest benefit from their postsecondary education,” said Dr. Dave Clayton, senior vice president at Strada’s research center. “With stackable and portable credentials, we can deliver both opportunities to individuals rather than perpetuating limiting choices between degrees and certificates.”
The 1 in 5 Americans who report a nondegree credential as their highest level of postsecondary education are just as likely—and in some cases more likely—as those with an associate degree to say the credentials provided them value.
The majority (65 percent) of those with a nondegree credential and no further education said their education was worth the cost, 56 percent said it made them an attractive job candidate, and 49 percent said it helped them achieve their goals. By comparison the ratings for those with an associate degree as their highest education were 59 percent for worth the cost, 57 percent for attractive job candidate, and 43 percent for achieving their goals. And people with nondegree credentials and associate degrees had identical self-reported earnings.
The survey also asked certificate-holders about the length of their programs, and found that longer programs do not necessarily lead to greater value than shorter ones. The survey found that 85 percent of those who completed a certificate program that took between one week and one month to complete said it was worth the cost, compared to 59 percent of those who completed a program that took between six months and a year to complete.
Among nondegree education and training providers, alumni rated community colleges the highest in terms of quality and value, while individual businesses and companies received the lowest ratings. Almost 8 in 10 (78 percent) of those with a nondegree credential from a community college said it was worth the cost, compared to only 54 percent of those with a nondegree credential from an individual business or company.
Looking across demographic groups, women and men reported similar value from nondegree credentials. Black Americans rated them higher than other racial groups across the board, while white Americans had the lowest ratings and Latinos were in the middle.
The new Public Viewpoint findings come from the Strada-Gallup Education Survey, fielded by Gallup, Inc. from April 2020-Dec 2020. It is a nationally representative mail and web survey of nearly 14,000 adults. The survey was designed and commissioned by Strada Education Network’s researchers, a team that studies the experiences and perceptions of American adults in order to better support individuals who face the most barriers to postsecondary education and career success. This research includes more than 350,000 completed surveys about the education and work experiences of American adults, the largest such database in the nation. View the full findings from this survey and past surveys at stradaeducation.org/publicviewpoint.
###
About Strada Education Network Strada Education Network is a new kind of social impact organization dedicated to improving lives by forging clearer and more purposeful pathways between education and employment. Our approach combines innovative research, thought leadership, strategic philanthropy, mission-aligned investments and a network of affiliate organizations. Together, we work to better serve the millions of Americans seeking to complete postsecondary education and training, gain clear value from those experiences, and build meaningful careers. Learn more at stradaeducation.org.
Report also finds that more respondents rate shorter nondegree programs as worth the cost than longer ones
Combination to Create a Leading Labor Market Analytics Company
Strada Education Network’s latest survey finds that 32 percent of adults whose education plans were disrupted by COVID-19 are no longer enrolled or planning to enroll, up from 10 percent last spring
Strada Education Network’s latest Public Viewpoint research finds that fewer than 4 in 10 Black alumni and less than half of Latino alumni feel that it was worth taking out their student loans—but strong career support boosts their assessment.
Bill Hansen to Step Down After Eight Years Leading Nonprofit Social Impact Organization
University of Utah leader will drive Strada Education Network’s research, philanthropy, policy, and thought leadership on national stage.
Breaux, Jenkins and Olinger Join Governing Board; Coulis Selected as Board Chair for National Social Impact Organization Focused on Strengthening Education-to-Employment Pathways
Americans cited an unfair system for hiring and advancement, a lack of employer support for education or training, and insufficient skills or credentials as the top barriers to good jobs
Nearly two million college students (13 percent) at four-year institutions expect to delay their graduation because of COVID-19, and another 15 percent aren’t sure if they will.
Strada grant brings the number of JRF/Strada Scholars to 42; provides vital program support
Compared to a year ago, adults without degrees are 18 percentage points less likely to believe education and training will be worth the cost, and 25 percentage points less likely to believe it will get them a good job
Nearly four in 10 Americans say relevance is the No. 1 factor in choosing among education options, and when it comes to delivery mode, safety and convenience drive preferences for online-only education
Strada Center for Consumer Insights' weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that a majority of Americans prefer online-only or hybrid education options; Black Americans have the strongest interest in and perceptions of the value of online education among racial groups
New results from the Strada Center for Consumer Insights find that Americans’ decisions about pursuing postsecondary education are heavily influenced by career value, logistics, and self-confidence.
Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research to Collaborate with Strada Center for Consumer Insights
Strada Center for Consumer Insights' weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that workers who say they would switch careers are most interested in business, IT, and finance.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights' weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that 50 percent of Latinos and 42 percent of Black Americans have canceled or modified education plans.
Courtney Hills McBeth to coordinate national engagement efforts for social impact organization
Strada Center for Consumer Insights' weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that 65 percent of young Americans have either canceled their education plans, delayed enrollment, or made other substantial changes.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights’ weekly survey on the impact of COVID-19 finds that some Americans are already returning to work – and those with advanced degrees are far more likely to have found new employment
Strada Center for Consumer Insights analyzes its weekly survey of Americans on impact of COVID-19 by job field
Strada Center for Consumer Insights poll finds COVID-19 has disrupted Americans' education plans; thoughts about where they would enroll have shifted.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights poll finds while the majority of Americans have either lost jobs, hours, or income, the COVID-19 economic crisis is disproportionately impacting black and Latino Americans.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights survey finds most Americans remain concerned about the financial and health impacts of COVID-19, but 70 percent of adults believe effects of the crisis will last no longer than six months.
Strada Center for Consumer Insights weekly survey finds significant increases in Americans losing income and worried about their economic livelihood
Strada Center for Consumer Insights launches weekly nationally representative Public Viewpoint survey to track the impact of COVID-19 on individuals’ careers
Strada Education Network’s Lessons Earned launches March 4
January 22, 2020 – CHICAGO – McDonald’s today announced the launch of a new career exploration mobile application called Archways to Careers that will help restaurant employees nationwide maximize education benefits and take the next step in their professional journey– whether at McDonald’s or elsewhere. Built with long-standing partner, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), and with support from InsideTrack, a national success coaching organization, McDonald’s will now be able to offer all restaurant employees a real-time career advising tool that connects them to InsideTrack’s professional and credentialed advisors to support, coach and help them chart a path to achieve the future job or career they desire.
Stephen Goldsmith joins national social impact organization as senior strategic advisor
Survey of over 30,000 military vets shows that they value certificates and certifications