ANSI affiliate Workcred has been awarded a grant to conduct a national analysis of non-degree credential attainment among college graduates, in collaboration with Strada Education Foundation. The project will offer fresh insight into the connection between degree and non-degree credentials (i.e., certifications, licenses, certificates), and how these learning pathways together shape student outcomes and workforce readiness.
The research will leverage data from the State Opportunity Index, Strada’s tool designed to help states advance pathways across five key areas: clear outcomes, quality coaching, affordability, work-based learning, and employer alignment. For the first time, the Index includes questions on non-degree credentials held by graduates from two- and four-year public institutions in every U.S. state.
“This research arrives at a pivotal time for higher education and workforce policy,” said Dr. Laurie Locascio, president and CEO of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and chair of the Workcred board of directors. “It provides the kind of actionable intelligence that can help decision-makers strengthen the alignment between academic degrees, non-degree credentials, and employer needs.”
Workcred will perform both descriptive and statistical analyses to explore how non-degree credentials intersect with student demographics, academic achievement, work-based learning, and post-graduation outcomes. By uncovering patterns in who earns these credentials—and the value they provide—the findings will help inform more responsive, inclusive, and effective policies and programs.
“This collaboration with Strada will allow us to map the real-world value of non-degree credentials—and how they complement degree attainment,” said Dr. Roy Swift, executive director of Workcred. “The findings will support institutions, policymakers, and employers in designing more integrated, learner-centered systems.”
The project will be led by Dr. Terry Vaughan III, associate executive director of research at Workcred, and will help answer critical questions such as:
- What percentage of college graduates hold non-degree credentials—and in which industries?
- How does credential attainment vary by race, gender, age, Pell status, and work-based learning participation?
- Are there state-level differences in credential uptake and outcomes?
- Do non-degree credentials influence employment, income, time-to-degree, or further education plans?
The project will culminate in a report about findings that support federal, state, and local stakeholders in developing stronger bridges between postsecondary education and the workforce—assuring that learners are equipped with the full range of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to succeed.
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