Education

Trend 1: Younger students are embracing short-term credentials

From EAB: “Community colleges experienced a 10.3% growth in credentials awarded in spring 2024 compared to the previous year, reflecting increasing student interest in short-term, career-focused pathways. While short-term credentials have traditionally been viewed as more suited for adult learners, recent data shows younger students are embracing these opportunities as well. This supports the viewpoint that the notion of “adult learners” is broader than age: students of all ages may have conditions, like work and parenting, that influence their decision making when choosing a program. In fact, during the 2022-23 academic year, learners aged 18 to 20 led all other age groups in certificate completion.”

View the full article from EAB.