Public Computer Center

In 1980 only 6 percent of Americans earned a certificate, but that’s skyrocketed up to 22 percent, with more than one million of us earning a certificate every year. What’s the appeal? They’re less time consuming—54 percent take under a year to earn—and are therefore less expensive than either a bachelor’s or associate’s degree. That makes them especially appealing to learners with less cash on hand. Two-thirds of certificate earners are under the age of thirty and come from lower income and minority backgrounds.