According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s (NSC) Undergraduate Degree Earners report, 3.2 million learners earned an undergraduate credential during the 2023-24 academic year, representing the first YOY increase in three years. This increase, though, is not due to degree attainment, but record-breaking growth in certificate completion.
Key Findings
- The number of learners earning certificates reached a new 10-year high for the third year in a row, with increases for both first-time certificate earners (+12.6%) and those with a prior award (+8.0%).
- Meanwhile, the number of bachelor’s degree and associate degree earners has declined. Fewer students earned an associate degree this year than in any of the last 10 years, and bachelor’s degree earners declined to their lowest level since 2015-16.
- Certificates are increasing in popularity with younger learners as well. Last year, certificate completers aged 24 and younger outnumbered those 25 and older for the first time. 18-20 year old certificate completers grew by nearly 20%, and those under 18—likely high school students through dual enrollment—increased by 27.2%.
The findings are consistent with a January NSC report, which revealed that undergraduate certificate programs saw their fourth consecutive year of enrollment growth, up 9.9% since last year and 28.5% higher than in 2019.
Why it Matters
These data suggest that young people are interested in shorter-term, lower-cost, and more career-oriented programs over more traditional postsecondary pathways. The question now is whether or not this trend will continue, and how higher ed institutions will adapt their strategies to attract students as the demographic cliff looms large.
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