The Pulse of Higher Ed

Higher education is facing a real challenge—and yes, I said challenge. (Because let’s face it, we really do love a good “opportunity” in higher ed, don’t we?) With over 41 million people in the U.S. who’ve started college and left without a degree, there exists a massive group of learners who are unfinished, yet far from done. What these “modern learners,” want, according to Education Dynamics’ 2025 Landscape of Higher Education,[1] is clear: flexibility, affordability, and a path to a better career. But here’s the real question—are we meeting them there? The answer, so far, is not exactly.

By now, we’ve all heard about the looming enrollment cliff. It’s the boogeyman of higher ed that keeps administrators up at night. But Education Dynamics suggests that it’s not so much a cliff as it is a shift, and one that might actually be manageable if institutions lean into what today’s learners truly need. Some College, No Credential (SCNC) learners, for example, are out there balancing jobs, families, and anything else life serves up to them. And yet, SCNC re-enrollment grew by 9.1% in the 2022-2023 academic year, with 37% returning to the same institution.[2] They want to finish what they started, but only if educational programs fit into their lives without adding stress, time burdens, and especially financial strain.

SCNC learners may not hold a degree, but they didn’t leave their academic abilities behind. An October 2024 study by UPCEA and StraighterLine found that over 85% of these learners feel confident they can succeed in school.[3] What’s standing in their way are external barriers, not a lack of capability. Financial challenges top the list of obstacles, with rigid schedules following close behind.

Affordability: It’s Non-Negotiable

Sure, “affordability” sounds like a no-brainer, but it bears repeating. The UPCEA and StraighterLine study revealed that 62% of SCNC learners cited the high cost of a degree as a major roadblock preventing them from reenrolling. Furthermore, 72% said affordable tuition or cost would be essential for reenrollment. Add to this the fact that 58% reported that their current financial situation wouldn’t allow them to afford tuition or related expenses, and the picture becomes clear. Without affordable options such as pay-as-you-go plans, employer-sponsored tuition assistance, or scholarships, the idea of going back to school remains just that: an idea.

But affordability isn’t just about low tuition; it’s also about perceived value of a credential. SCNC students are a deeply practical bunch. They need to see that the money they invest in education translates directly into tangible results like a promotion, a new job, or a salary increase. If colleges and universities can connect the dots between program cost and professional outcomes, they’ll be one step closer to earning SCNC learners’ trust and commitment.

Building a Path to Success: Online, Modular, and Stackable

Adults’ interest in pursuing higher education is currently at its highest level, according to recent findings from Lumina and Gallup[4]. This uptick is fueled, in part, by a growing openness to alternative pathways, such as industry certifications and short-term credentials, which deliver job-ready skills without the financial burden of a traditional degree. Learners are prioritizing programs that offer flexibility—whether through credit for prior learning (CPL), online offerings, schedules tailored to working professionals, or accelerated timelines.

The rise of alternative and stackable credentials isn’t just a hot trend—it’s the answer SCNC learners have been waiting for. Education Dynamics found that today’s learners, especially those in the SCNC category, favor the idea of earning job-ready skills in bite-sized, manageable ways. Stackable credentials allow them to start small, earn valuable skills along the way, and build toward that degree or another goal, at a pace that works for them. Modular, job-focused programs provide clear, tangible benefits, making it easier for these students to stay engaged and committed to their studies. The prospect of each course bringing them closer to a better job is a powerful motivator. For many SCNC students, that’s exactly the spark they need to reengage.

Meet SCNC Learners Where They Are

The good news is that we already know what SCNC learners want, and we know what they need to succeed. It’s up to colleges and universities to meet them there. By focusing on flexible, career-oriented programs that meet students where they are, institutions can reconnect with the millions of SCNC students who have the skills and the drive.

The SCNC challenge, well, it’s also higher ed’s greatest opportunity to reimagine what education can be. By prioritizing flexibility, affordability, and real-world relevance, colleges could bring back millions of learners and rebuild an inclusive, adaptable education system that helps people finish what they started, with pride and purpose.

 

[1] https://insights.educationdynamics.com/landscape-2025.html?utm_campaign=landscape-2025&utm_source=eddy+news&utm_medium=release&utm_term=press+release

[2] https://nscresearchcenter.org/some-college-no-credential-dashboard/

[3] https://upcea.edu/new-study-reveals-keys-to-re-engaging-the-41-9-million-americans-with-some-college-but-no-credential/

[4] https://www.gallup.com/analytics/644939/state-of-higher-education.aspx#ite-644921