Report

Who’s Ready to Upskill?

State-by-State Demand for Education After High School

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An overview of state-by-state demand for education after high school.

Key Findings

From verbatim responses, the research team identified themes and coded the self-reported learner motivations. Below are some of the key findings:
1

65% of the U.S. workforce doesn’t have a bachelor’s degree

2

Nearly half of the U.S. workforce feels they need additional education to advance in their current career, particularly those without college experience and who are not taking college courses.

3

This perceived need for career-advancing education varies significantly across state and regional economies.

4

When asked which educational credentials would be most helpful to advance in their current careers, those with some college experience and no degree, and associate degrees give highest priority to a bachelor’s degree. Those without high school diplomas or with technical/vocational degrees prioritize licenses and certificates.

A perceived need for additional education is significant overall but varies by state and region. Some states will need to make a greater effort to help individuals see additional education as a relevant path to career advancement.

Percentage of U.S. workforce by educational status.
Base: U.S. adults ages 18-65 currently in the workforce (self-employed, employed for an employer or actively looking for work). N=176,727
  • 65% of the U.S. workforce doesn’t have a bachelor’s degree.
  • Nearly half of the U.S. workforce feels they need additional education to advance in their current career, particularly those without college experience and who are not taking college courses.
  • This perceived need for career-advancing education varies significantly across state and regional economies.
  • When asked which educational credentials would be most helpful to advance in their current careers, those with some college experience and no degree, and associate degrees give highest priority to a bachelor’s degree. Those without high school diplomas or with technical/vocational degrees prioritize licenses and certificates.
  • A perceived need for additional education is significant overall, but varies by state and region.
  • The need is clear for more education that can help advance careers, particularly from those who have no postsecondary experience or credential.
  • Those who have completed an educational credential that is relevant to their work are more likely to value additional education.
  • Industry-recognized credentials may be overlooked by some groups as valuable pathways for upskilling and economic mobility.

Percentage of state workforce without four-year degrees who feel they need additional education to advance in their careers.
Base: U.S. adults ages 18-65 currently in the workforce (self-employed, employed for an employer or actively looking for work), without a four-year degree. Those who are currently enrolled in college-level courses have been excluded for the purpose of this analysis. N=81,984



When it comes to education after high school, Americans know what they value and why. At Strada Education Network, we are listening to what they have to say and leveraging their insights about experiences and outcomes to forge more purposeful pathways between education and careers.

Gallup strategically partners with institutions to conduct custom research and implement best practices that create environments in which students and employees thrive.

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