As Americans earn non-degree certificates in droves, many pay for these programs out of pocket, according to a new report from the Pew Charitable Trusts.
The report released Thursday analyzed 2022 data from a new U.S. Census Bureau national survey of more than 15,000 U.S. adults called the National Training, Education, and Workforce Survey. These data include individuals who earned occupational credentials at an institution of higher education, such as a community college or trade school, as well as valid industry licenses or personal credentials, such as a teaching license.
Data show that interest in non-degree certificate programs has surged in recent years: The share of Americans earning non-degree certificates tripled between 2009 and 2021. Over the same period, the annual occupational certification rate among U.S. adults jumped from about 0.4% to about 1.2%, while the professional license rate increased from about 0.5% to about 1.6%. More than one-third (34%) of adults surveyed hold non-degree credentials.
At the same time, enrollment in degree programs is trending downward. Between spring 2020 and spring 2025, bachelor’s degree and associate’s degree enrollment declined 1.1% and 7.8%, respectively. (However, the analysis also found that students often earn non-degree credentials in addition to their degrees. Slightly more than half of adults with these credentials also earned a degree.)
But despite the “skyrocketing” number of people earning non-degree certificates nationwide, “we know very little about how students are paying for these programs,” said Ama Takyi-Laryea, senior manager of Pew’s student loan program.
New data provides some answers. The majority of non-degree certificate holders reported using their own money to pay for courses—51% of professional certificate holders and 71% of professional license holders. About one-fifth of both groups said they applied for a government or private loan. Nearly a quarter (24%) of professional license holders and 15% of occupational certificate holders say they rely on financial support from their employer, while another 15% of occupational certificate holders use other types of scholarships. More than 60% of respondents use only one form of financial support to pay for their projects.
Taki-Laria said the findings raise concerns given that such programs can be “pretty expensive.” A briefing note from the Education Trust found that the average monthly cost to attend some of these programs ranges from $2,100 to $2,500, depending on the type of provider. She would like to see further research on how students afford these programs, including how often they use credit cards to pay for programs.
“Student outcomes are mixed when it comes to these programs,” she said. “So sometimes, students are saddled with unsustainable debt or credentials of little value despite the high costs associated with them… More research on how students pay for these programs would protect them from riskier forms of financing.”
