No college degree? Good luck finding success in life — according to the prevailing belief in the United States for decades. But that’s no longer reality, and people are increasingly realizing that spending four years in lecture halls isn’t the only — or even the best — route to a prosperous, fulfilling future.  

A variety of alternative credentials are emerging that may be more flexible, affordable, and useful than a traditional college degree for many people. These alternatives cater to different learners, leverage unique individual talents, and better meet the needs of today’s employers.

The benefit to employers is obvious. Fulfilled employees stay in roles longer and create fewer open positions. They bring expertise that makes everyone happy and, in the end, are engaged contributors who advance both their careers and their employers’ overall impact. 

The current landscape of jobs without college degrees

Today’s landscape of jobs is shifting rapidly, and alternative credentials will become increasingly essential in the modern economy. However, much work must be done before they are fully accepted. 

According to the 2020 Census, 70% of new jobs require a college degree, but less than half of American workers have one. Those degrees are often required for no reason other than that’s been the standard for decades. 

Looking ahead, however, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between 2020-2030, approximately 60% of new jobs will be in roles that don’t typically require an associate’s degree or higher. Most only require a high school degree or the equivalent for entry and provide on-the-job training for competency.  

High-demand jobs that require no college degree

There’s a wide range of high-demand, well-paying careers that don’t require a college degree. According to a recent report from Resume Genius, jobs topping the list (along with median annual salaries) include:

1. Airline and commercial pilot: $148,900 
2. Information and security analyst: $112,000
3. Elevator and escalator installer and repairer: $99,999
4. Special effects artist and animator: $98,950
5. Transportation, storage, and distribution manager: $98,560 
6. First-line supervisors of police and detectives: $96,290

There are many more. The U.S. Career Institute put together a list of 80 jobs with an annual salary of more than $50k where no college degree is required. As alternative credentials become more widely accepted, those numbers are sure to increase.

Understanding the skills gap

Alternative credentials not only help workers find fulfilling careers but also serve as powerful tools in bridging the skills gap in today’s workforce. Employers need skilled workers, but there aren’t enough qualified candidates. According to a 2020 study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 48% of human resource leaders say candidates don’t have the skills they need for the jobs they’re trying to fill. 

Alternative credentials allow people to demonstrate their unique talents and aptitudes through programs that provide workers with hands-on experience and learning to prepare them for the specific work they’ll be doing. Whether it’s a teaching apprenticeship or a program where students master the skills tech companies want, alternative credentials offer practical solutions to meet the demands of today’s workforce.

Fortunately, alternative credentials are easier to acquire than ever. In fact, according to a report from the Society of Human Resources Management Foundation, the number of available alternative credentials tripled between 2018 and 2020.

Employers are bolstered by their growing popularity, too, with 87% of executives, 81% of supervisors, and 90% of professionals saying they believe alternative credentials bring significant value to the workplace. 

Success stories: the impact of alternative credentials on careers

There are countless stories of how alternative credentials are transforming lives one individual at a time. For example, LaShana Lewis struggled for more than a decade to find a fulfilling job without a college degree. Then, she found a paid apprenticeship with LaunchCode, which led to a full-time job with Mastercard as a systems engineer. She’s been promoted multiple times since. 

Programs like Merit America, a Stand Together community partner, are fueling more and more examples, too. They prepare people for tech careers in fields such as IT support, Java development, data analytics, and UX design. Participants only have to pay for courses after they get a job that pays at least $40,000.

The shift toward skills-based hiring

An increasing number of employers are moving past job requirements that traditionally included a college degree and instead looking at the competencies and abilities candidates bring to a job. In 2023, 73% of employers reported using skills-based hiring, according to TestGorilla, up from 56% in 2022. 

However, even though companies may embrace skills-based hiring in theory and policy, research shows many still predominantly rely on college graduates. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that for every 100 job postings that didn’t require a degree, fewer than four candidates without a degree were hired.

Policy and educational reform to support nondegree pathways

Fully embracing alternative credentials requires a change, not only in long-held cultural attitudes but also in hiring practices so that employers adequately assess and promote candidates’ competencies. IBM, for example, has demonstrated great success with this strategy through its apprenticeship program. 

More work is needed to expand access to apprenticeships and vocational training, particularly in underserved communities. Educational reform and policy changes at the state level and beyond are essential for strengthening the value of non-degree pathways. 

Some states are leading the way by dropping degree requirements for thousands of public sector jobs and thus reducing the risk of skills-based hiring. Hopefully, others will follow their lead by supporting alternative educational pathways and removing unnecessary job requirements. 

Remaining rigid in a one-size-fits-all education mentality helps no one. Instead, it limits the potential of workers and leaves employers without the talent pool they need.  

There are many ways workers can gain knowledge and demonstrate their skills and abilities without a degree. By embracing these alternative pathways to success, we can unlock the full potential of all. 

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