The Enrollment Shift You Can’t Afford to Ignore

The growth is real and measurable.

Students aged 18–20 pursuing certificates jumped

11%

year over year

Enrollment in certificate and vocational programs is rising while four-year institutions see declines. Students aged 18–20 pursuing certificates jumped 11% year over year.

The global alternative credentials market is projected to hit $70 billion by 2032. And in our latest survey, parents were twice as likely as students to consider vocational education.

These stats aren’t just trends. They’re proof of a mindset shift toward practical, marketable skills.

See all the data and learn how to turn it into high-performing campaigns. Get the whitepaper now.

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BEYOND DEGREES:

The Era of Skills-Based Learning

and learn how you can reimagine your campaigns and lead the narrative.

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The cost of tuition has risen

180%

in the last 40 years

The number of students aged 18-20 pursuing certificates has increased

11%

year over year

The global alternative credentials market is projected to grow from $18.83 billion in 2024 to nearly

70 Billion

by 2032

We’re proud of our work

advance education third annual parent and student survey whitepaper 2026

OUR LATEST WHITEPAPER

3rd Annual Parent & Student Survey

The New Rules Of Higher Education Marketing

How AI and Shifting Family Priorities are Reshaping Student Recruitment

AI isn’t new. It’s normal. Students and parents alike are increasingly using LLMs for research – for everything from homework help to their best options for higher education. If families already use AI to choose, the question is: how is your institution meeting them there? Our latest whitepaper outlines how to publish AI-readable answers to the most asked questions, making your value legible to both humans and machines.

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