By Bill DeBaun, Senior Director, Data and Strategic Initiatives
Reading time: Three minutes
The recent "Some College, No Credential" (SCNC) report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC) shows that through July 2022, there were an
estimated 36.8 million SCNC individuals under age 65. This is a 2.9% increase over the previous year. Although many National College Attainment Network (NCAN) members focus on students in the 16-24 age range, the
report shows that there is considering potential to drive educational attainment and foster economic mobility among students who have stopped out. The NSCRC provides a data dashboard for further exploring the report’s findings.
Who Are the "Some College, No Credential" Students?
As of July 2022, the SCNC population stood at 41.9 million, with 36.8 million individuals between 18 and 64 years old, representing 18.1% of this age group in the US. The SCNC population is more diverse and predominantly male compared to the current undergraduate
population. Specifically, Latino/a and Black students are overrepresented. Unfortunately, this track with historically inequitable trends in educational attainment nationally.
About 7.7% (2.8 million) SCNC students have accumulated significant credits and are close to earning a credential, these represent the best chance for conversion to credential holders. Efforts like the Institute for Higher Education Policy’s (IHEP) “
Degrees When Due” are important for making these conversions with strategies like degree auditing, adult reengagement, and reverse transfer.
Key Trends and Findings
Enrollment Trends:
Despite COVID-19 pandemic-related declines, the SCNC population grew in nearly all states.
Re-enrollment increased by 9.1% in the 2022-23 academic year, indicating a positive trend toward re-engaging SCNC students.
Re-Enrollment and Progress:
Most SCNC students who re-enroll choose a different institution, with a growing number opting for primarily online institutions (POIs).
However, POI re-enrollees have the lowest credential earning rates, highlighting the need for targeted support and resources.
Credential Earning:
Potential Completers, who already have a sizable number of credits, show significantly higher rates of credential earning within two years of re-enrollment compared to other SCNC students.
Demographic disparities persist, with women and white and Asian American students more likely to earn credentials than their Latino/a, Black, and Native American peers.
The Opportunity for Increasing Educational Attainment
Re-engaging SCNC students presents a substantial opportunity to enhance educational outcomes and workforce readiness. That re-engagement is often, unfortunately, easier said than done. Targeted outreach and support are important, but states and systems
can lack the ability and capacity to reach out to potential completers. Beyond that, re-engaging learners isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor, and these efforts require culturally relevant and tailored advising, academic support, and financial aid
counseling to address the unique barriers faced by SCNC students. A student’s context is often idiosyncratic, and the supports they receive need to be, too.
The SCNC report’s findings about POI postsecondary pathways are interesting, though not surprising, but these programs do come with some yellow and red flags. Primarily online institutions offer students flexibility in time and format, which can help
to reduce the twin barriers of transportation time and foregone wages, but efforts to turn SCNCs into completers also need to ensure that online programs are rigorous and provide the necessary support to help students succeed.
The report emphasizes that the 40 states with postsecondary attainment goals (identified by Lumina Foundation)
should consider whether, how, and how well they are assisting their SCNC populations with finding their next, best postsecondary step.
Conclusion
Re-engaging SCNC students is not only a strategic imperative for increasing educational attainment but also a moral one. By focusing on this population, we can make significant strides toward a more inclusive and educated workforce. This effort requires
a coordinated approach, leveraging data, targeted outreach, and comprehensive support systems. NCAN members and practitioners can play a pivotal role in this mission, helping to ensure that every student has the opportunity to achieve their educational
and career goals.
For a more detailed analysis and strategic recommendations, refer to the full SCNC report and consider how your organization can contribute to this critical effort. Together, we can turn the tide for millions of Americans who have some college experience
but no degree, transforming lives and strengthening our communities.
Disclosure: ChatGPT-4 was used to generate portions of this blog. The author reviewed, verified, and edited the entirety of the blog.
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