Why Certificate Programs Matter in Today’s Labor Market — and Why MSU’s Approach Stands Out
Last Updated February 23, 2026
Non-degree credentials (NDCs)—including certificates, certifications, badges, and microcredentials—are transforming how professionals build skills and advance their careers potential. With more than 1.5 million unique credentials available nationwide, short-term learning options have become a central strategy for staying competitive in a fast-changing economy.
But as the marketplace grows, so does the need for clarity: Which certificate programs lead to meaningful career outcomes?
Recent research from the Brookings Institution, analyzing 156.5 million U.S. resumes, offers important insight. The findings reinforce a critical point: credentials only deliver value when they are relevant, rigorous, and aligned to real workforce demand.
What the Data Says About Certificates and Career Growth
The Brookings study found:
- A first job-relevant credential is associated with a 3.8% wage premium, compared to just 1.8% for credentials that are not aligned with a worker’s occupation.
- Accumulating additional credentials only increases wages when they build job-specific, employer-recognized skills.
- More structured, validated credentials show stronger returns than loosely defined or purely symbolic badges.
- Early-career and non-college workers see the largest wage gains—up to 6–6.8% for their first relevant credential.
The takeaway is clear: relevance drives return.
In a crowded credential market, professionals must look beyond convenience and focus on programs that connect directly to in-demand roles and measurable outcomes.
Why Certificate Programs Are a Smart Strategy — When Designed Well
Well-designed certificate programs offer several advantages:
- Focused, applied learning in high-demand skill areas
- Shorter timelines than full degree programs
- Career mobility without stepping away from the workforce
- Clear pathways to advanced study
However, not all certificates are equal. Programs backed by accredited institutions and aligned with employer needs provide far stronger signals in the labor market than stand-alone, unvalidated options.
That’s where institutional quality matters.
How Michigan State University Delivers Value Through Certificate Programs
Michigan State University offers online certificate programs designed with the same rigor and workforce alignment that define its academic degrees.
MSU’s certificate programs:
- Focus on high-demand areas including management and strategy, leading change, building high-performing and creative teams, fostering learning organizations, understanding global cultures, shaping organizational culture, and developing multinational strategy
- Deliver applied, real-world learning experiences
- Are developed with employer relevance in mind
Rather than contributing to credential noise, MSU’s certificate programs focus on cultivating job-relevant knowledge, skills, and applied abilities that translate into measurable growth and expanded career mobility.
The Bottom Line: Choose Credentials That Count
The rapid expansion of non-degree credentials presents both opportunity and risk. When aligned with workforce demand and delivered with academic rigor, certificate programs can:
- Can help accelerate career advancement potential depending on individual experience and industry context
- Increase earning potential
- Support career pivots
- Expand access to high-growth industries
But when misaligned or poorly designed, they may offer little more than a line on a résumé.
If you’re considering a certificate to enhance your career potential, prioritize programs that combine relevance, rigor, and real-world application.
Ready to invest in a certificate that delivers measurable value? Explore certificate programs at Michigan State University to discover options designed for real-world application and workforce relevance.
Career and salary outcomes are not guaranteed and depend on individual qualifications, experience, geographic location, and market condition.
