Measuring What Matters

A New Framework for Evaluating Non-Degree Credential Quality

Current evaluation frameworks rely almost exclusively on short-term wage gains, a reductive lens that undervalues many non-degree credentials. Analyzing data from over 10 million workers via the Burning Glass Institute's Credential Value Index, we find that a broader framework more than doubles the share of credentials recognized as effective.

Key Findings:

• Undervalued Impact: Wage-only metrics miss 21% of credentials. Including mobility and field entry triples the success rate from 1 in 8 to 1 in 3.

• Career Launchpads: Over 20% of credentials with low initial wage gains place workers into top-quartile occupations for onward career mobility.

• Growth Trajectory: While low-return credentials rarely catch up to high-return ones in terms of wage gains, their value doubles over five years while high-return options plateau, closing much of the gap

• Needed Rigor: While a broader lens reveals significant hidden value, the data also confirms that 69% of credentials offer minimal value.

To avoid overlooking effective programs, policy must weight career entry, field transitions, and long-term advancement alongside immediate earnings.