The Credential Value Index
There are over a million credentials – from certifications to bootcamps to professional courses. The overwhelming volume makes it hard to know which options will actually move your career forward—and which are unlikely to pay off. That’s why we built the Credential Value Index (CVI)—a first-of-its-kind index and navigation tool that sheds light on the real-world outcomes of virtually every certification in America, as well as more than 20,000 other non-degree credentials. Whether you're aiming to advance in your current field, transition to a new field, or increase your earnings, the CVI can guide you by drawing on the career histories of millions of workers to show what actually happens after completing a program. That helps you answer the question: Is this credential right for me?
So, whether you’re considering a bootcamp, a certificate, or a professional course, CVI helps answer the question: What happens to people who complete this program? For example, learners who complete Codecademy’s “Python Fundamentals” credential typically see a wage increase of nearly $3,000 within one year.
That’s the kind of insight CVI puts at your fingertips.
We’re Passionate About The Data
The Burning Glass Institute analysis shows that while the right NDC can be transformative, most fail to move the needle. In fact, only about 1 in 8 credential earners see material wage gains that they wouldn't experience otherwise. Additionally, wide dispersions exist between learner outcomes for top and bottom credentials – even after controlling for credential subject matter.
Top credentials to achieve your career goals…
And in the absence of signals of quality, learners are likely to default to trusted brands – but in the world of credentials that is no guarantee.
Holding Credentials Accountable To Outcomes
Despite a marketplace flooded with over 1.1 million credentials, only 1 in 8 deliver material wage gains for workers. This landmark report from the BGI, in partnership with the American Enterprise Institute, cuts through the noise, using data from 65 million career records to reveal which credentials actually boost earnings, enable career switches, and help workers advance. While the best programs yield wage gains of nearly $5,000 and dramatically increase upward mobility, the majority fall short. With Workforce Pell and other public investments on the rise, the report calls for a rigorous, outcomes-based approach to credential funding—one that protects learners and taxpayers alike.
Unlocking Potential: Why Evaluating Non-Degree Credential Quality Matters
The number of non-degree credentials (NDCs) has ballooned over the past decade while the number of students enrolled in degree-granting programs has dropped. With hundreds of thousands of NDCs to choose from, students, program funders, and employers have little guidance on which ones offer the highest quality education and ROI. This paper provides an overview of NDCs and their significance in the modern labor market, particularly in light of the barriers and challenges associated with attainment of traditional college degrees many learners face.
