Elimination of College Degree Requirements in Job PostingsElimination of College Degree Requirements in Job Postings In today’s job market, a growing number of employers are loosening or eliminating college degree requirements for certain positions. A recent survey by Intelligent found that one-third of U.S. companies have eliminated bachelor’s degree requirements from job postings this year, with another 25% planning to do so by 2025. This shift reflects a prioritization of skills over education, with hiring managers evaluating candidates based on their experience and abilities rather than their degrees. Factors Driving the Change Several factors are contributing to this trend: * Rising Education Costs: College tuition prices have skyrocketed in recent years, making it increasingly unaffordable for many potential candidates. * Practicality of Workplace Skills: Employers are recognizing that many practical skills can be learned on the job or through certifications, rather than requiring a college degree. * Diverse Applicant Pool: Eliminating degree requirements opens the door to a more diverse pool of candidates, particularly in industries with low unemployment rates. Industries Affected The shift to skills-based recruitment is particularly evident in sectors such as finance, insurance, healthcare, education, information services, and data. Benefits of Skills-Based Hiring Dropping diploma requirements can provide several benefits for employers: * Access to a Wider Candidate Pool: Employers can attract candidates with relevant skills who may have non-traditional educational backgrounds. * Focus on Job-Specific Skills: By evaluating candidates based on their skills, employers can ensure that they have the necessary abilities for the position. * Inclusion and Diversity: Skills-based hiring practices promote inclusivity by opening opportunities to candidates from diverse backgrounds. Exceptions and Considerations While many employers are eliminating degree requirements for certain roles, it’s important to note that they are not completely discarding the value of a college education. People with college degrees generally earn more and have lower unemployment rates. However, employers are recognizing that a college degree is not always a reliable indicator of success in the workplace, especially in rapidly evolving industries like technology. In conclusion, the elimination of college degree requirements for certain jobs is a growing trend that reflects a shift towards prioritizing skills and practical experience. This change is driven by rising education costs, the recognition of workplace skills, and the desire for a more diverse workforce. However, it is important for job seekers to weigh the benefits and limitations of a college degree and consider their individual circumstances and career goals.
Some employers in the private and public sectors are eliminating college degree requirements for certain jobsat a time when many Americans questioning the value of higher educationa new study finds. The shift reflects how hiring managers are prioritizing skills over education, evaluating candidates based on their skills and practical experience, rather than the degrees they hold.
One in three U.S. companies have eliminated bachelor’s degree requirements from some job postings this year, according to new data from Intelligent, a college prep company. Intelligent surveyed 750 U.S. business leaders online in June about their views on college degrees. Another 25% of companies said they plan to eliminate bachelor’s degree requirements from job postings by 2025, the survey found.
This is partly because more and more employers are realising that many potential candidates choose not to go to university because it is unaffordable or because they believe they will learn more practical skills in the workplace than in the classroom.
Click here to view related media.
Click to expand
“Traditionally, many positions required a four-year degree because it was more common to go to college. But now, because of rising costs, fewer people are going and employers are starting to realize that there is a more diverse pool of applicants than just those with four-year degrees,” Huy Nguyen, chief education and career development advisor for Intelligent, told CBS MoneyWatch. “And not having a degree should not disqualify them from applying for a job in which they could be successful.”
Additionally, a college degree doesn’t necessarily guarantee success in the workplace, Nguyen adds. That’s especially true in fast-moving industries like technology, where the information and skills learned in school can quickly become outdated.
That’s one of the key areas where employers are starting to evaluate candidates based on other criteria, according to Nguyen, such as work experience or certifications that demonstrate someone has mastered a skill like computer programming.
“We’ve seen that larger tech and software companies are valuing skills over degrees because of the speed at which the industry is evolving. Often, someone went to college a while ago, so what you learned in college doesn’t necessarily translate into skills that the job market wants,” Nguyen said.
Shift to skills-based recruitment
Other sectors where companies are relaxing credential requirements for job applicants include finance and insurance, health care and social services, education, and information services and data, Intelligent’s report found.
Dropping diploma requirements can also help employers attract a more diverse pool of candidates, especially when unemployment in the sector is low and companies are struggling to fill open positions.
Some states have even passed legislation to open jobs to applicants without a college degree. In January, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order eliminating college degree requirements for more than 90% of jobs in the state.
“This executive order directs our administration to focus on applicants’ skills and experiences, rather than college degrees. It will expand our applicant pool and help us build a more inclusive and skilled workforce than ever before. Our administration is leading by example, and we encourage the business community to join us in adopting similar skills-based hiring practices,” Healey said in a statement at the time.
Learning on the job
The survey found that nearly 60% of business leaders said they have eliminated degree requirements for entry-level positions, while 54% said they have done so for mid-level positions and 18% said they have done so for senior-level positions.
By eliminating such requirements, applicants without college degrees, who might otherwise be excluded from job opportunities, can still learn on the job and gain practical skills that can make them successful later in their careers.
None of the respondents indicated that they would completely eliminate college degree requirements for all positions.
To be sure, neither Nguyen nor other experts dispute that a college degree can offer job seekers advantages. People with college degrees tend to earn more and are less likely to be unemployed than those with only a high school diploma. In 2024, The median salary of university graduates was 37% higher than the median salary for people without a bachelor’s degree, according to an analysis by payroll firm PayScale.
Megan Cerullo
