No university wants to broadcast lackluster completion rates. But these are challenges every college contends with. According to National Student Clearinghouse Research Center data, students who started college for the first time in 2018 had a six-year credential completion rate of 61.1%.
To better understand the career outlook for non-completers, WGU Labs partnered with WGU’s Academic Portfolio Department and Gallup to survey former Western Governors University (WGU) students who left the university without completing their degrees. In part one of our series on college non-completers, we explored the barriers individuals with some college but no degree face in the job market, including less job satisfaction, lower engagement with their careers, feeling overqualified for the jobs they’re forced to take, and difficulty pursuing careers that provide them a sense of purpose. In part two, we looked at how non-completers struggle to effectively navigate the job market and the need for better alternative credentialing options.
In our final installment, we share five strategies and interventions institutions can leverage to better support these individuals, based on our analysis of non-completers’ career outcomes and support needs. We believe that sharing this data and our insights with our peers can help many more learners than just the ones we serve.
5 ways higher education institutions can help
Non-completers face several barriers in navigating and securing jobs in today’s marketplace, including lower job satisfaction, limited career advancement opportunities, and fewer job options due to the lack of formal credentials. These obstacles make it difficult for them to fully leverage their skills and experiences to achieve successful career outcomes.
Our findings point to several ways postsecondary institutions can address these challenges:
1. Identify transferable skills
A major challenge is helping individuals recognize their skills and understand the value of transferable skills across various occupations and job opportunities. To address this, WGU has partnered with technology provider iQ4 to develop an AI-driven solution that leverages publicly available data sources, including Credential Engine’s Credential Registry and the National Labor Exchange via Career One Stop. Additionally, WGU utilizes the Achievement Wallet as a platform for skill identification, occupational alignment, career exploration, and the storage and sharing of both self-asserted and verifiable digital credentials. Currently, over 9,500 WGU students are registered in the wallet as part of its beta testing phase, with more than 2,500 students providing direct feedback that has influenced its design and development. Findings from three beta tests indicate that 78% of students reported gaining clarity on their job qualifications by identifying gaps between their existing and missing skills.
2. Empower learners with their own data
Non-completers should have access to a comprehensive record of their educational achievements, giving them greater control over their career advancement. Digital wallets and supporting platforms can be expanded to help students recognize and validate transferable skills applicable across industries. By integrating real-time insights and visual tools, students can track skill development, align their competencies with job opportunities, and receive credit for prior learning. This approach fosters an ongoing connection to education, ensuring continuous growth and career mobility.
3. Provide better job search support
Non-completers expressed a desire for better job search support, including personalized career guidance and employer connections. Higher education institutions can help by offering resume reviews, career pathway guidance, and real-time insights into skill development to maximize the value of education. One option might be to offer course-level verified digital achievements, providing students with recognition for skills gained and courses completed. Unlike traditional all-or-nothing degree models, this approach allows students to track progress toward a degree and align skills with career goals. For those who pause their education, these verified achievements offer tangible proof of their learning and capabilities.
4. Increase non-degree credential acceptance
Non-degree credentials can be a valuable pathway for non-completers looking to improve their job prospects. However, to maximize their impact, educational institutions and training providers must collaborate with industry partners to ensure these credentials align with market needs and clearly convey their value. WGU has always partnered with employers to validate its competency-based education model and is currently expanding those efforts through initiatives like the Open Skills Library and Unified Credential Framework.
5. Advocate for more inclusive credentialing and hiring systems
To create a more inclusive credentialing system that supports diverse educational and career pathways, institutions must ensure all learning achievements are recognized and valued equally. Additionally, institutions should prioritize systems that are interoperable, support open data standards, and leverage publicly available data. Lastly, better collaboration and strong partnerships between higher education and the workforce can help establish equitable hiring practices that prioritize skills in addition to educational credentials.
The challenges faced by non-completers are not unique to any single institution — they are a widespread issue that higher education must collectively address. By identifying transferable skills, empowering learners with their own data, providing stronger job search support, increasing non-degree credential acceptance, and advocating for more inclusive credentialing systems, institutions can better support this population.
These strategies not only help non-completers find meaningful career opportunities but also strengthen the workforce by recognizing skills and experience beyond traditional degree pathways. By prioritizing innovation and collaboration, colleges and universities can re-engage learners, bridge the gap between education and employment, and create a more inclusive future for all students — whether they complete a degree or not.
