A new publication from the federal Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 tracks the attainment of a variety of credentials, including undergraduate certificates, as well as workforce participation and earnings.
This report shares data collected in 2012 for the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS:2002), describing the outcomes of the study cohort at about age 26. By this age, the respondents included the following (industry certifications were not tracked):
- 3.1 percent who had not finished high school
- 12.6 percent with a high school diploma or the equivalent
- 32.3 percent who had enrolled in postsecondary education but had not finished a credential
- 10.1 percent who had achieved an undergraduate certificate
- 8.7 percent who had attained an associate's degree
- 33.3 percent who had earned a bachelor's degree
Of respondents who had earned an associate's degree or undergraduate certificate, or had enrolled in some postsecondary education but not completed a credential, 81 percent were working for pay compared to 89 percent of those with a bachelor's degree.
When it comes to earnings, the percentage making at least $20 per hour included:
- 14 percent of those with a high school diploma or the equivalent
- 15.6 percent of those with some postsecondary education
- 20 percent of those with an undergraduate certificate
- 25.3 percent of those with an associate's degree
- 43.4 percent of those with a bachelor's degree
This release came just days prior to a Census report exploring the attainment of certifications, postsecondary certificates and licenses. The increased interested in unpacking the "some college" category to find out more about people with non-degree credentials, and their employment and earnings outcomes, is very welcome!
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