Satisfaction High for Nondegree Credentials: New survey results from Strada Center for Education Consumer Insights show that people find value in nondegree credentials such as postsecondary certificates, industry certifications and/or licenses, particularly nondegree credentials awarded by community colleges. Survey results demonstrate that:
- 78% of respondents with a nondegree credential from a community college said it was worth the cost – a higher percentage than respondents who earned nondegree credentials from other sources.
- Many respondents held more than one credential, such as multiple nondegree credentials or an associate degree and a nondegree credential. And those who combine degree and nondegree experiences rated the quality and value of their education substantially higher than those with a degree alone.
- Respondents who completed very short certificate programs – between a week and a month – and longer certificate programs – more than one year – were more likely to report that it was worth the cost than those who completed programs lasting between one month and one year.
- Black Americans were the most likely demographic group to report that nondegree credentials helped them achieve their goals.
These findings were based on a 2020 Strada-Gallup Education Survey with a nationally representative sample of nearly 14,000 adults.
Positive Outcomes from Community College Short-term Programs: Seeking to fill a gap in the research base on short-term programs, the Association of Community College Trustees has analyzed student data specifically for community college-based short-term programs. The analysis, which encompassed the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, North Carolina Community Colleges and the Virginia Community College System, found wage benefits for students completing community college short-term programs in many program areas. However, the amount of those wage gains varied greatly across fields of study.
Scan of Federal Loan-eligible Short-term Programs: An analysis from the Brookings Institution, looking at roughly 100 programs under 600 clock-hours for which students can take out federal loans – including for-profit institutions, community colleges and other providers – found that 70% of these programs are offered by for-profit institutions and nearly 50% are cosmetology programs. And, despite reporting high job placement rates, post-college earnings for students graduating from these programs average about $24,000 per year. The analysts recommend improved accountability for short-term programs and suggest that access to short-term Pell Grants be limited to public sector programs.
Policies to Expand Short-term Programs: Turning from data to policy, JFF’s Policy Leadership Trust, a group of community college practitioners, recently offered recommendations to guide federal and state policy in scaling and supporting short-term credential programs. The Trust suggests four key policy recommendations for improving and expanding short-term programs:
- Ensure that short-term credential programs adhere to quality standards.
- Appropriately measure – and make transparent – outcomes of short-term credential programs through enhanced data systems.
- Address institutional funding constraints and disincentives for expanding short-term postsecondary options.
- Increase the affordability and accessibility of short-term credential programs for students and workers in their communities.
The report includes many detailed sub-recommendations, including essential steps such as expanding Pell Grants, incentivizing employer partnerships and expanding stackability as well as more transformational changes such as moving away from seat time, ending the distinction between credit and noncredit programs, and expanding access to individual training accounts.
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