A bachelor’s degree has long been regarded as the way to get ahead in the work world. Still, many Americans ultimately forgo a higher education (though, not always by choice). In 2021, 27.9% of adults ages 25 and older had a high school degree as their highest level of education, according to the Census Bureau. Nearly 15% had completed some college but didn’t have a degree.
These days, when it comes to getting hired, that might not be a detractor. “We are seeing a huge increase in the share of job listings that do not require a college degree,” says Sinem Buber, lead economist at ZipRecruiter. IBM stripped bachelor’s degree requirements for more than half of its U.S. job openings in 2021, for example, focusing on relevant skills rather than education when it comes to some of their tech roles. Accenture has recently done the same.
These days, when it comes to getting hired, that might not be a detractor. “We are seeing a huge increase in the share of job listings that do not require a college degree,” says Sinem Buber, lead economist at ZipRecruiter. IBM stripped bachelor’s degree requirements for more than half of its U.S. job openings in 2021, for example, focusing on relevant skills rather than education when it comes to some of their tech roles. Accenture has recently done the same.
