AIR is analyzing 20 years of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 panel using an individual fixed-effects regression strategy. The purpose of the analysis is to estimate the returns to non-credit-bearing credential and licensure pathways compared with credit-bearing credential and associate degree programs that are unrelated to persistent differences in the respondents’ characteristics (e.g., ability). Findings show that credit-bearing credentials yield an approximately equal likelihood to be employed as noncredit-bearing credentials, but significantly improved earnings of about $7,000 a year.

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Media

This webinar featured a short presentation of research findings suggesting that credit-bearing credentials are worth about 17% more annually than non-credit-bearing credentials, and was followed by a discussion led by Candace Hester, Ph.D. with Scott Cheney, MPP, CEO of Credential Engine and Irma Perez-Johnson, Ph.D., vice president and Workforce Program Area director at AIR. Access the related slide deck here.

Report

This brief summarizes findings from a recent study on the relative return to two training pathways to middle skills — credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing credentialing.

Report

This report discusses the returns to noncredit-bearing credential and licensure pathways compared with credit-bearing credential and associate degree programs.