Executive Summary
America’s education and training ecosystem is experiencing an extraordinary moment of possibility. Multiple factors are expanding how today’s learners and workers can access credentials and develop skills, creating more pathways to success than ever before. This Counting Credentials 2025 report provides extensive insights into the evolving credential landscape by counting the total number of unique credentials available in the United States and describing the rigorous process of accounting for each credential category. This report identifies 1,850,034 unique credentials in the U.S.
Inside the Report
This report identifies 1,850,034 unique credentials in seven distinct credential categories, 134,491 providers of these credentials, with total annual expenditures of $2.34 trillion across the full ecosystem. For each credential category, the report provides the credential type definition, the typical credential provider, and the precise method by which the credential was counted. Each section includes a brief discussion of the state of the credential type, as well as suggestions for future research. The seven credential categories are:
- Degrees – 264,099 Title IV, non-Title IV, and degrees from foreign universities
- Certificates – 486,352 certificates of completion, academic certificates, and apprenticeships
- Certifications – 6,892 certifications
- Micro-credentials – 3,384 micro-credentials
- Licenses – 14,331 occupational licenses
- Secondary School Diplomas – 52,948 secondary school seals and endorsements, public school diplomas, private school diplomas, alternate diplomas, and equivalencies.Â
- Badges – 1,022,028 badges
The report uses credential categories that include similar types of credentials, regardless of credential provider. In prior Counting Credentials reports, credentials were grouped by education or training provider type. This 2025 report organizes credentials into credential types that are more intuitive to understand and easier to navigate for those interested in more detailed subcategories.
This report includes a state-by-state breakdown of credentials offered by state-based entities. For a broader perspective, see our accompanying overview resource here.
The Counting Credentials 2025 report was produced with the generous support of Walmart, the Strada Education Foundation, and Instructure. Thank you to the Counting Credentials Advisory Group members for their commitment to this work.
Counting Credentials, In Context 2025 Report
Credential Engine has released the Counting Credentials, In Context 2025 report, a major companion piece issued alongside Counting Credentials 2025. This In Context report was created in order to broaden the understanding of the larger ecosystem in which educational and occupational credentials and skills exist, especially as we see an evolution in the digitization of credentials.
Key Findings
credentials in the United States, including diplomas, badges, certificates, apprenticeships, certifications, licenses, and degrees of all types and levels.
spent annually in the U.S. on the delivery and attainment of credentials.
Credential providers across the U.S.