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Nearly 37 million adults in the United States have enrolled in college but left without completing their degree. Many of these individuals are left with staggering student loan debt, lower financial well-being, and less job satisfaction compared to degree earners. For higher education institutions, the “some college, no degree” population represents a significant challenge in achieving their retention and graduation goals. For employers, this population represents untapped potential in the workforce. Almost all non-completers walk away from their education with some skills, but their lack of credentials prevents them from pursuing new job opportunities or advancing in their careers — and helping to close the skills gap.
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. The survey sought to understand their current employment status, the challenges they face in the job market, and their interest in various supports and tools, including non-degree credentials.
In this first installment of a three-part series, we explore the unique barriers non-completers face in the job market. Part two will dive into how non-completers navigate the job market, and part three will provide actionable strategies for postsecondary institutions to better re-engage and support these learners.
Barriers non-completers face in the job market
A study of more than 40,000 Americans who started college but did not finish found that many must balance school with a part- or full-time job, experience financial difficulties, and receive inadequate academic and career advising. Many individuals who do not complete their degrees struggle to find jobs that align with their skills and education level, as employers frequently use degree attainment as a screening tool. As a result, those with some college experience but no degree often face disadvantages, including lower annual earnings and higher poverty rates compared to those who hold a degree.
In our survey of 1,713 former WGU students who left without a degree between 2018-2023, non-completers reported being 20% less satisfied with their jobs and 17% less engaged with their careers compared to alumni. Additionally, 24% of non-completers felt overqualified for their current jobs, and 52% cite the lack of a required degree as a top barrier to finding an ideal job.
Respondents identified the top five barriers preventing them from getting a job they are completely satisfied with:
- The lack of a required degree or credential (52%)
- Family obligations (31%)
- Lack of relevant job opportunities (23%)
- Limited work experience (22%)
- Inability to fully demonstrate their skills and capabilities to employers (21%)
Respondents identified the top five most important factors to them when deciding which jobs to pursue:
- Pay (80%)
- Control over hours and/or location (62%)
- Employee benefits (40%)
- Job security (32%)
- Having a sense of purpose (28%)
These findings highlight the precarity of this population’s livelihood: Urgent financial needs outweigh longer-term priorities such as growth, security, or empowerment. Many non-completers are unable to realize their dreams and potential because they don't have a degree.
The challenges faced by non-completers in the job market underscore the critical need for innovative solutions that recognize and validate their skills — which we address in part three of this series. While many of these individuals possess valuable experience and knowledge, the absence of a formal credential often prevents them from accessing better job opportunities and financial stability.
In the next installment of this series, we will explore how non-completers navigate the job market and the strategies they employ to overcome these obstacles. Stay tuned as we continue to uncover insights that can help bridge the gap between education, employment, and economic mobility.
