Data Dive: Degree Earners Are Building on Prior Credentials

Students are increasingly taking nontraditional routes through higher education, building on prior credentials, changing fields of study, and returning to education at different points in their academic and professional journeys. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s Undergraduate Degree Earners Report highlights how student pathways are evolving.

Of the more than 3.4 million learners who earned an undergraduate credential during the 2024–25 academic year, nearly 892,300 students had previously earned another postsecondary credential. Among those learners, associate degrees represented the most common prior award, accounting for 60.2% (537,100 students) of prior credentials. Certificate holders made up 20.9% (186,800 students), while 18.9% (168,500 students) had previously earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Associate Degrees Continue to Serve as a Key Pathway

In 2024–25, associate degrees were the most common prior credential among bachelor’s completers with previous awards. While 21.1% of all bachelor’s degree earners had previously earned an associate degree, that share reached 78.8% among bachelor’s completers with any prior credential. Similarly, 10.0% of associate degree earners had previously earned a certificate, and 45.0% of associate earners in 2024-25 had previously earned a certificate.

“These outcomes reflect the growing flexibility in how students are navigating higher education,” said Matthew Holsapple, Senior Director of Research at the National Student Clearinghouse. “Many learners are not following a single pathway, but instead building credentials over time as they pursue their goals.”

Many College Students Change Majors While Earning Credentials

Changing fields of study was common among learners earning a bachelor’s degree after a prior credential, particularly in STEM fields. Only 36.7% of learners who earned a bachelor’s degree in STEM after a prior credential stayed in the same field, while 61.4% changed fields. In contrast, learners in liberal arts, sciences, general studies, and humanities were more likely to remain in the same area of study, with 58.2% staying in the field.

Health professions and related clinical sciences had the highest rate of field continuity among learners earning a bachelor’s degree after a prior credential, with 52.5% remaining in the same field. Other areas with relatively high continuity included business, management, marketing, and related support services (43.2%), as well as computer and information sciences and support services (35.7%).

“The data suggest that many learners are returning to higher education to change careers or advance professionally. Understanding these pathways can help institutions better support student success,” said Holsapple.

“Many learners are not following a single pathway, but instead building credentials over time as they pursue their goals.”

Matthew Holsapple
Senior Director of Research, National Student Clearinghouse Research Center