Veterans Without Degrees

Summary
Prior research has shown that the skills and knowledge veterans gain in the U.S. military are often under-recognized and undervalued by civilian employers. This nationally representative survey, conducted in partnership with Gallup and the Lumina Foundation, draws on the perspectives of U.S. veterans to understand the educational attainment of veterans without degrees, the benefits their credentials bring them, and their attitudes toward pursuing additional education.
Veterans disproportionately hold certificates or certifications compared to non-veterans.
Certificates and certifications boost employability and earnings premiums for veterans without degrees.
Veterans without degrees perceive less of a need for additional education than non-veterans without degrees.

All service members complete multiple training courses, which may include non-degree credentials, as part of their service. Efforts to make this transfer more seamless and to ensure that all learning counts are essential to honoring and supporting veterans in their transition to the civilian workforce.

A few key principles guide our recommendations around supporting veterans without degrees, as well as adults without degrees more broadly:
- All learning counts, and all skills should be recognized.
- Competencies should be transparent and transferable.
- Credentials should be portable and stackable.
- Some military training should be credentialed while in service

The data and insights shared here are drawn from the Strada-Gallup Education Survey: an unprecedented survey of more than 340,000 U.S. adults ages 18–65 that explores their educational experiences and attitudes. This study draws upon that vast sample to reveal veterans’ perspectives on education outcomes and the benefits and challenges that arise from earning non-degree credentials. Strada Education Network and Lumina Foundation collaborated on this report as part of a series of reports on adults without degrees.