post secondary education meaning in usa

What Is Post-Secondary Education In The USA: Meaning, Purpose, Types & More

Higher education has become an important part of many people’s lives. It gives people the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills to help them in their careers and lives. Hence, many people feel excited and ready to begin their post-secondary education journey.

This is great news because it means plenty of options for students to get the education they need to succeed in today’s economy. However, post-secondary education in the USA is also a major challenge. 

In this article, you’ll learn more about post-secondary education, the challenges, the types of post-secondary education available, and some of the benefits of pursuing a degree.

Let’s get started.

What is a post-secondary education?

Higher education has long been the key to success in the United States. It allows students to pursue their dreams, connect with others, and gain valuable knowledge and skills. 

And thanks to post-secondary education offered by colleges and universities, millions of people have achieved their goals.

Post-secondary education (also known as tertiary education) is a type of schooling that typically happens after high school. It offers specialized training in a variety of subjects, as well as opportunities for on-the-job experience.  

Post-secondary education provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue a career or further their education. 

Many post-secondary institutions offer a variety of courses and programs that can help students find a path in life.

What are the major benefits of post-secondary education in the USA?

Post-secondary education in the USA is one of the best investments you can make in your future. 

Post-secondary education has many benefits, whether a 4-year degree, a 2-year diploma, or a trade school program. Here are just some of them: 

• A chance to learn and grow in an environment that stimulates and supports your intellectual growth
• Develop strong personal relationships with your peers, professors, and mentors
• The opportunity to gain lifelong learning and knowledge will be valuable in any field
• A chance to explore different disciplines and learn new ways of thinking
• Accessing world-class resources can help you achieve your academic and career goals
• A degree from a top university boosts your career prospects and imparts intangible skills and knowledge that are valuable in the workplace

The USA has one of the best post-secondary education in the world. Not only is it a diverse country in terms of colleges and universities, but the quality of education here is unparalleled. 

MPI reports that almost 1.1 million post-secondary education international students were studying in the USA during the 2019-2020 academic year.

The United States offers a unique opportunity for students to explore their interests and learn from some of the world’s top educators.

Differences between a secondary and post-secondary education

There are many differences between secondary and post-secondary education. For one, a post-secondary education consists of a four-year degree, while a secondary school consists of grades 6-12 in the USA. 

Post-secondary education is typically geared toward students who have graduated from high school. In contrast, a secondary school may have students who eventually graduate from high school and others who will not. 

In addition, secondary schools are more lenient with what they expect their students to be able to do. On the other hand, post-secondary institutions require more rigorous courses and assessments throughout the program. 

Types of post-secondary education in the USA

1. Colleges and universities

In the United States, post-secondary education is any type of education a student takes after high school. A college or university is often the most common type of post-secondary institution. 

To attend, you must apply and be accepted to the school you want to attend before enrolling. You’ll need to fill out an application form and pay a fee. 

Colleges and universities offer many different types of programs for students to choose from. A college usually offers certificate and diploma programs. Colleges generally have a more direct career focus when comparing college programs to university programs.

Universities may be either public or private institutions, with major research capabilities, and often focus on graduate study at the doctoral level or beyond.

2. Community colleges

The community college (or junior college) is a public institution that offers two-year associate degree programs. Additionally, they offer vocational and technical programs.

Students at community colleges can earn a diploma in half the time since they only have to complete the general education requirements that colleges require.

Furthermore, community colleges offer students a wide range of courses and are typically less expensive than most universities.

This type of education is ideal for anyone who wants to start with something more affordable and flexible before committing to a major in school or at work.

3. Vocational or technical schools

Vocational and technical schools offer programs in various industries, including healthcare, business management, education, and culinary arts. 

These programs are designed to provide hands-on training and skills that can be put to use immediately after graduation. 

Vocation schools also offer instruction in automotive technology, HVAC installation , plumbing , and electrician training . 

Students who want to learn from some of the best instructors in their field are well advised to enroll in this type of post-secondary education.

Challenges of post-secondary education in the USA 

In the United States, post-secondary education is often the key to success. But despite the ever-growing cost of tuition, only some can afford college. 

It’s no secret that the cost of post-secondary education in America is extraordinarily high. Tuition ranges from $4,000 to $32,000 for public universities and over $50,000 for private universities.

Many students struggle to independently cover tuition, room and board, textbooks, and other expenses. And even if they manage to do so, many are still left with a mountain of debt they must repay throughout their lifetime. 

Fortunately, there are ways to help reduce the burden of tuition costs. First, financial aid options available to students may make it possible for them to attend college without worrying about debt. 

Furthermore, many colleges and universities offer scholarships and grants that can help defray tuition costs. And finally, it may be a good idea to take up some part-time jobs .

Are graduate programs post-secondary education?

Yes , graduate programs are post-secondary education. 

Are there free universities in the USA?

There are free universities in the United States. Many colleges and universities offer a few programs for free, or at low cost, to those who qualify. Examples of such universities are Alice Lloyd College, City University of New York, and Berea College, among others.

Is post-secondary education in the USA worth it?

Yes, it is worth it.  The right education will help you realize your career goals and prepare you for future success.

​​Is there a difference between university and college?

The main difference between a university and a college is that a university provides a broader academic and professional education, while a college offers specialized career or technical education.

Final thoughts

The post-secondary education system in the United States is diverse, with a range of prices and quality. However, there are some key things that all students need to know to make an informed decision about their post-secondary path. 

First and foremost, post-secondary education is a valuable investment – not only for your career prospects but also for your intellectual development. 

Furthermore, paying for quality post-secondary education is worth it – regardless of the school you choose. 

You can find many resources available online to assist you in finding the right school and navigating the admissions process. 

This is true whether you’re looking for scholarships or university rankings or looking for personal recommendations from students. Read the article on prospective students for more information.

You can also read more on the definition and benefits of secondary schools .

Thanks for reading.

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The Postsecondary Education Conundrum

Subscribe to the brown center on education policy newsletter, cecilia elena rouse cecilia elena rouse @ceciliaerouse.

June 5, 2013

Postsecondary education in the United States faces a conundrum: Can we preserve access, help students learn more and finish their degrees sooner and more often, and keep college affordable for families, all at the same time? And can the higher education reforms currently most in vogue—expanding the use of technology and making colleges more accountable—help us do these things?

Since the 1960s, colleges and universities have worked hard to increase access to higher education. Fifty years ago, with the industrial economy booming—as Sandy Baum, Charles Kurose, and Michael McPherson write in the latest issue of the Future of Children —only 45 percent of young people went to college when they graduated from high school. Today, they note, at least 70 percent enroll in some form of postsecondary education. Women, who once accounted for little more than a third of the college population, now outnumber men on campus, and minorities and the poor have also seen many barriers to a college education fall. Certainly, we still have work to do—for example, advantaged children are still much more likely than children living in poverty to go to college, and to attend elite institutions when they do. Yet the gains in access have been remarkable.

Over the past decade, critics have increasingly questioned the quality of college education in the U.S. In particular, they have pointed to low completion rates—only about half of the people who enroll at a postsecondary institution complete a degree or certificate within six years. Yes, there are many reasons that students attend such institutions, but even among those who report that they aspire to earn at least a bachelor’s degree, only about 36 percent do so.

Most recently, the loudest debates in higher education have been about cost. When people talk about the cost of postsecondary education, they usually mean tuition. The most alarming recent increases have been in the “sticker price,” or the published cost of attending an institution. Sticker prices for full-time in-state students at public four-year colleges and universities increased 27.2 percent between 2007 and 2012, according to the College Board. But only about one-third of full-time students pay the sticker price; the other two-thirds of full-time students pay the “net price,” which is the sticker price minus grants and other forms of aid. On average, the net price is 70 percent less than the sticker price. Even so, the net price of college has also increased steeply, by 18 percent over the same five years.

Many people take the sharp rise in tuition costs as evidence that institutions of higher education are inefficient and growing more so—in other words, that colleges and universities are spending more and more money to deliver the same education. They argue that if we aggressively adopt technology and strengthen accountability, we can make colleges and universities more efficient, whether that means providing the same education for less money, or a better education for the same cost.

But, in truth, tuition—whether we’re talking about sticker price or net price—doesn’t really tell us how much a college education costs. As McPherson, who is president of the Spencer Foundation, pointed out recently at a conference at Princeton, an institution’s total expenditure per student is a much better measure of the cost of a college education. Based on 2012 data from the College Board, expenditures per student, especially at public institutions, have been relatively flat over the past decade, increasing by about 6.4 percent at four-year public institutions and actually decreasing at two-year public institutions. Tuition itself accounts for only a part of the total expenditure per student. At public institutions in particular, the rest is made up largely by state subsidies. What has changed in recent years is that state subsidies have fallen precipitously, meaning that parents and students are shouldering more of the cost through rising tuition payments. From 2000 to 2010, the portion of total expenditures covered by tuition at public institutions went from just over one-third to just over one-half, with subsidies falling accordingly. If we look at the cost of college this way, it’s unlikely that growing inefficiency is the main problem facing institutions of higher education; in fact, they are educating more students than ever and doing so at roughly the same cost per student. Nonetheless, few people expect state subsidies to rebound to their former levels. If college is to remain affordable, state institutions must seek ways to lower their cost per student so that they can keep tuition in check.

What are the prospects, then, that technology and accountability can help us rein in the rate of growth in tuition? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t clear.

Policymakers like to focus on advances in technology as a solution for the tuition crisis because a major component underlying the cost of a postsecondary education is the cost of paying the faculty. As long as the wages that faculty members could earn in other parts of the economy continue to increase, there will be upward pressure on the cost of educating students. But if we could use advanced technology to let each faculty member teach more students, we could lower the cost of a college education. However, no one wants such an increase in productivity to reduce the quality of the education that students receive. Therefore, if technology is to help us solve higher education’s quandary, it must provide education at a lower cost without lowering its quality.

We have scant evidence of whether e-learning is comparable in quality to traditional classroom instruction. However,  the best research so far suggests that in large lecture classes, at least, especially those that cover introductory material in some subjects, students learn just as well online as they do in “chalk and talk” classes. We know even less about the long-term cost of teaching in this way. On the one hand, once we pay the start-up and transition costs associated with adopting new technology and training faculty how to use it, the cost per student is likely to fall because faculty will be able to teach more students in larger classes. On the other hand, the best evidence about technology comes from its use in large lecture classes; we know much less about its effectiveness in smaller, typically more advanced courses, which are more expensive to teach by definition. We also have virtually no evidence about technology’s effectiveness in some disciplines, particularly the humanities. If technology can’t deliver the same education that students get in the classroom, what may look like a decrease in cost may actually be a decrease in quality. Thus before we know whether widespread adoption of technological tools is truly a promising approach to reducing the cost of a college education, we need more and better evidence about how these tools affect student learning, in which settings and for whom they work best, and how much they cost to implement and maintain.

Accountability

Policymakers are also talking about accountability as a way out of the postsecondary conundrum. Most public institutions receive state subsidies based on the number of students they enroll. Enrollment-based funding gives these colleges and universities a huge incentive to increase access, but far less incentive to boost completion rates and other measures of student success. On the heels of the movement to increase accountability in K-12 education, a lot of people, including President Obama, have been calling to make colleges and universities more accountable, most notably by tying some portion of state or federal funding to student completion or other measures of success—for example, how many graduates find jobs. Many states have already tried this, but the results have been disappointing (though it must be said, as Davis Jenkins and Olga Rodriguez write in the Future of Children , that much of the research on performance funding thus far has been qualitative rather than quantitative). One reason that performance funding hasn’t worked well may be that the percentage of aid that states have tied to performance has been quite low, meaning that institutions have had little to lose if they fail to meet performance targets. As a result, some reformers are calling for an even stronger connection between funding and accountability. Fair enough, and probably worth a try, but the bottom line is that we have yet to find solid evidence that tying appropriations to student success will produce the results we desire. And caution is in order: Unless such an approach is implemented and monitored carefully, it will create a perverse incentive for institutions to restrict admission to the students who are most likely to do well, thus potentially reversing the gains in access that we’ve worked so hard to achieve.

Despite the caveats I’ve presented here, I believe that both technology and accountability have their place in any effort to solve the postsecondary conundrum.

In the case of new technological tools to expand teaching productivity, we need to carefully study their effect on student learning, institutional stability, educational quality, and cost. It’s going to take some tinkering to build new models of technology-supported teaching that work as well as or better than a traditional classroom education, and we should not hesitate either to try promising approaches or to abandon those that fail to make the grade.

When it comes to imposing stronger accountability, we need comprehensive data systems and other ways to gather information that will give us a clearer, more scientifically sound picture of institutional performance than do the rough measures we use now, such as completion rates. Furthermore, measures of quality should never be the only criteria through which we reward or punish postsecondary institutions, not only because expanding access must remain a priority, but also because it is extremely unlikely that we will ever be able to capture all of postsecondary education’s beneficial outcomes through large-scale data. 

In the end, however, technology and accountability alone will not solve the postsecondary conundrum. As tuition costs rise, parents and prospective students are starting to question the value of the postsecondary institutions they’re considering, seeking better information about quality and completion rates, and making decisions based on hard financial realities. This kind of pressure from prospective students and their families is likely to be the most effective incentive of all.

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What is Post Secondary Education?

What is post-secondary education.

Your education is a journey to prepare you for the life you want to lead, and there are many possible paths to explore after graduating high school. Post secondary education opportunities can allow you to dive deeper into your interests and discover your true passions. Many post secondary education programs offer more hands on learning experiences that provide clarity about what you want to do with your life. 

In this post, we outline the most common post-secondary education options available after high school. But first things first: What exactly is post-secondary education?

Post Secondary Education: Meaning and Definition

As one might expect, post-secondary education comes after secondary education (also known as high school, which is the final phase of basic education). Post-secondary education is also known as third-level education , higher education , or tertiary education , and is an optional educational path for those who have completed their high-school or GED requirements. The goal of a post-secondary education program is to further train students in specialized skills, preparing them for more-advanced career and life opportunities. 

Post-secondary education programs generally (but not always) culminate in a degree or other form of certification, verifying that the student has completed all associated requirements and is ready to graduate from the program. Post-high school education options that do not award degrees are usually called continuing education , and may include workshops, seminars, and other supplemental opportunities. That said, both of the terms “continuing education” and “post-secondary education” may also be used to describe any form of education available after secondary education.

Types of Post Secondary Options 

While for many, “post-secondary education” is synonymous with college , the truth is that high school graduates have a number of different options to choose from for structured learning after high school. Consider these different types of post-secondary education programs: 

Vocational Schools

Vocational schools (also called trade schools or technical schools ) offer specialized education designed to prepare students for specific lines of work. Compared to a college education, which is usually more academic-focused, vocational programs tend to be more hands-on, experience oriented, and tailored towards practical career knowledge. Additionally, by eliminating many of the general-education and liberal-arts requirements found in colleges, vocational schools may offer a more direct route into the job market. This is the result of job-specific training opportunities and shorter completion times.

Vocational schools typically funnel students directly into careers in skilled trades. Examples of vocational courses include: healthcare and home caregiving, plumbing, electrical services, hairstyling, carpentry, computer network management, paralegal studies, massage therapy, and more. 

Community Colleges

Community colleges are shorter-duration alternatives to the traditional four-year university experience. Most community colleges allow students to earn an associate degree over the course of two years, focusing primarily on the general-education classes required by accredited universities. They sometimes also offer non-degree certification and vocational training.

Most community colleges are open admission , meaning that the admission process is non exclusive, and not dependent on any academic factors other than a high school diploma or equivalent certification. After earning their associate degree through the community college, students may either enter the job market with increased training and certification, or choose to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a specific major and earn a bachelor’s degree.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges and universities are generally what first come to mind when people think of post-secondary education. These higher-education institutes offer bachelor degree (four-year) programs. Additionally, students may choose to continue their education past the BA/BS level; colleges and universities tend to offer post-graduate programs, allowing dedicated individuals to earn master’s degrees or doctorates. Completing a four-year college program may make some graduates more appealing to job interviewers, and there are a number of companies that won’t even consider applicants unless they have at least a bachelor degree. On the other hand, colleges and universities are usually the most-expensive post-secondary education options — averaging approximately $28,000 in tuition annually. However, many different scholarship and grant programs exist to help offset some of these costs; prospective students should research these possibilities while considering post-secondary options. 

Fellowship and Abroad Programs

Many post-secondary students want to take the time to travel, see the world, and enjoy the freedom that comes from having completed their high school education. At the same time, many feel the desire to use this time to better themselves, learn valuable leadership skills, and give something back. For these students, fellowships and abroad programs may be the answer they’re looking for.

Fellowship and abroad programs offer experiential learning, hands-on training, and real-life opportunities to help and connect with individuals around the world. Students often pursue these opportunities during a ‘gap year’ (either after high school and before college, or between college years). Many gap-year programs combine education and service, and are designed to produce well-rounded, socially conscious individuals who are ready to excel in whatever careers or life paths they choose.

If you are looking to grow your leadership skills and connect with people from around the world, but aren’t drawn to an abroad experience, there are also many opportunities for you! Consider an online leadership program to connect with likeminded young people from around the world, and together build leadership skills to help solve global challenges.

Get the Most out of Your Post-Secondary Opportunities 

If you’re interested in pursuing a post-secondary education, you have a lot of different options to consider. But if you want something that expands your worldview, strengthens your leadership skills, and allows you to interact with new people and cultures, then why not apply for an immersive fellowship abroad or a virtual leadership program? Global Citizen Year is a non-profit organization offering opportunities to enhance your post-secondary education. Make global connections, get hands-on learning opportunities, and gain the experience needed to change the world for the better. 

Learn more about Global Citizen Year , and turn your post-secondary education into an opportunity of a lifetime!

EXPERIENCE A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A GLOBAL CITIZEN YEAR FELLOW

Fellow / Ecuador

— Anna del Savio

I work with a group of indigenous artisans that make fair trade jewelry. …

Fellow / Brazil

— Amari Leigh

After my community garden apprenticeship, I like to hang out at the local waterfall with my friends. …

— Basil Wiering

I often hail a rickshaw into various parts of the city to meet friends and practice street photography. …

— Fernanda Tornell

I've developed my public speaking skills and encouraged hundreds of people to take care of our planet. …

Fellow / India

— Luciana Ribeiro da Silva

I apprentice with Teach For India and also volunteer with a non-profit working to end child marriage. …

— Noah Hapke

I co-teach English classes at the school in my community. …

— Sarah Murray

My apprenticeship is at a school for people with disabilities where I help to lead gardening, games, and capoeira. …

— Alana Poole

In the afternoons, I often go on home visits to meet my students' families and understand where they come from. …

REQUEST INFO

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postsecondary

Definition of postsecondary

Examples of postsecondary in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'postsecondary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

1920, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near postsecondary

Cite this entry.

“Postsecondary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/postsecondary. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.

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Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Post-Secondary Education

• By Emily Summers
• December 10, 2019

Are you about to graduate high school or have already graduated but are considering further studies for better employment opportunities? If so, then you might have heard the term “post-secondary education” every now and then.

As the name goes, post-secondary education takes place after you finish high school. And while most people see it as a stepping stone towards better employment opportunities in the future, this isn’t always necessarily the case. Also, contrary to popular belief, post-secondary education isn’t limited to college, so if money is a hindering factor for taking post-secondary education, you might want to consider the other options aside from college.

In this article, we define post-secondary education, what it means, and the various options available for you after your graduate high school (or high school equivalent). And then we tackle whether or not taking a post-secondary education really is important in the career path you want to take.

What Is Post-Secondary Education?

Secondary vs. post-secondary education, vocational schools, non-degree students, community colleges, colleges & universities, do i need post-secondary education for work.

Post-secondary education is also known as “higher education,” “third-level education,” or “tertiary education,” which all roughly mean the same thing. Its subtypes that don’t result in degrees like certificate programs and community college are also called “continuing education.” These refer to the educational programs you can take after graduating high school, get your GED, or anything similar to these in your country.

Unlike primary and secondary school that are mandatory for children under the age of 18, post-secondary education is completely optional. It is the final stage of formal learning and leads towards an academic degree. Post-secondary education is defined in the International Standard Classification of Education as levels 6 through 8. Post-secondary education also includes both undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

In the United States, plenty of high school students opt to take post-secondary education , with over 21 million students attending after high school. This is because many people see this as a ticket to economic security as having a higher education degree can be the key to opening more job opportunities in the market. While college is a type of post-secondary education, it is not the only form of tertiary education, though. And just because someone has completed their post-secondary education does not necessarily mean there will be job offers lined up for their choosing. Nor does it mean that they automatically earn more than a person who chose not to attend post-secondary education.

Secondary education is more commonly known as high school, but it can also refer to people who have taken their GED (General Education Development) tests or any equivalent around the world. Unlike post-secondary education, students are required to attend secondary school (or at least they are, until they turn 18 and can opt to drop out).

There are a number of people who choose to drop out ( around 527,000 people from October 2017 to October 2018). While it is possible for them to find work (around 47.2 percent of them), they cannot attend post-secondary education unless they finish high school or earn a secondary education diploma.

And while there are jobs available for those who didn’t get to finish secondary school or finished high school but opted not to attend post-secondary education, this closes some doors for them. For example, if you want to become a medical doctor , you cannot enter medical school until you earn a Bachelor’s degree by attending four years of college under an appropriate pre-med program. So, even if you got high grades in high school biology, no medical school is going to accept a student without a bachelor’s degree.

Post-Secondary Institutions

Contrary to popular belief, the term “post-secondary education” and its other similar terms aren’t limited to just earning a bachelor’s degree in high school. Colleges and universities are the most popular choice, but they may not be the most financially possible choice for everyone, especially if you consider that plenty of college graduates in the US are struggling to pay off student loan payments years after they’ve graduated college.

If you’re open to the idea of further education after high school but want to consider other options, here are your possible choices.

Also known as trade or tech schools, vocational schools teach it students on the technical side of certain crafts or skills of a specific job. Unlike colleges where its students receive academic training for careers in certain professional disciplines, vocational school students do job-specific training where certain physical skills are needed more than academic learning.

These are available in almost every country, though they may go by different names. In some countries, there may be both vocational schools run privately or public vocational school that are either fully or partially subsidized by the government for people who want to learn skills for better employment opportunities.

Some vocational courses include:

• Health care for nursing (for people who want to work as caregivers)
• Computer network management
• Word processing application (secretarial positions)
• Food and beverage management
• Fashion designing
• Electrician
• Commercial pilot
• Catering and hotel management
• Daycare management
• Hairstyling, cosmetics, and beautification
• Paralegal studies
• Massage therapy
• Pharmacy technician
• Travel agent

Take note that there are a lot more vocational courses than the ones provided, but not all vocational schools provide all types of courses. Some vocational schools may also specialize in certain industries, so it’s best to do your research on vocational schools in your area .

Completion of any of these courses provide you with a certificate that shows you have completed and trained for the skill of your choice. This gives you a competitive advantage in the job market compared to other high school graduates who do not have the same training for the skillset you have.

It is also possible to have multiple certificates for different courses if you think this will give you a further advantage, such as getting certified for Electrician, Plumber, and Carpentry courses if you intend to work in the construction industry. This also applies to college graduates who think they can get a leg up with both a college degree and a vocational school certificate on their resume.

There are two definitions of non-degree students . The first is a student who attends a college or university and attends undergraduate, master, or doctorate classes but not for the sake of earning a degree. These are people who may be interested in learning for specific classes and want to pursue academic interests but do not see the need to earn the full degree. These can be simply because they want to learn a certain field or who want to add to their resume that they took classes for a specific subject.

Another type of non-degree student are online or classroom programs on specific topics that can be used for resume-building skills or personal enrichment. You won’t earn a diploma, but you earn a certificate of completion. It’s similar to what you earn from tech school, but more academic than in terms of skill.

Community colleges are also known as “junior colleges” or “two-year colleges.” As its name goes, instead of earning a Bachelor’s degree after four years, community college students earn associate degrees after just two years . Some community colleges also offer non-degree certificates and vocational courses, though not all colleges do. Aside from academic classes, community colleges offer other programs for the community.

The reason why community colleges take half the time to earn a diploma is because it only offers the general education requirements taken by all college students. In regular colleges and universities, you spend four years studying: the first two years are dedicated to general education requirements, while the next two are for your specialized classes depending on your major.

Community college can be a step towards employment, but it can also be a step towards entering university. With the classes you’ve taken in community college, you can proceed to a university and major for two more years to work towards a bachelor’s degree. But if you think you don’t need one and intend to enter the workforce after attending community college, you’ll be given an associate’s degree after completion.

The most popular choice for post-secondary education, colleges and universities not only provide bachelor’s degree for high school students, but also post-graduate degrees for college students. Some examples of post-graduate degrees that fall under this bracket include graduate school, law school, medical school, dental school, and business school.

Some people attend post-secondary education institutions like graduate school and business schools for a master’s degree that will give them a leg-up in the job market for higher-ranking positions. However, for other institutions like law school and medical school, you need to enter and finish your education if you want to achieve a certain job role. For example, paralegals may need certification or even a bachelor’s degree, depending on how competitive a paralegal position in a law firm is, but if you want to become a lawyer, you need to finish to law school and pass the bar exam in your jurisdiction.

It’s relatively the most expensive form of post-secondary education, but there are several options on how to get in. There are several scholarship and grant programs that can provide you with partial to full scholarships (some even provide stipends or allowances for expenses like food, books, and other necessities) without having to go into debt. However, a lot of scholarship programs are extremely competitive and are usually awarded to students who show a lot of academic or athletic promise or require the most financial aid.

Getting post-secondary education is not necessary to land a job in the future, nor is there any assurance that getting further education will get you a job right after completing your education. If you feel like none of the options mentioned above can help you towards the career you want or see yourself doing in the future, then you don’t have to take any of them. Unlike elementary and secondary school in your younger years, post-secondary education isn’t mandatory – whether you attend school after high school or after the age of 18 is still your choice.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, almost 70% of high school graduates in 2018 between the ages of 16 to 24 enrolled to colleges or universities. And out of the 20 to 29-year-olds who received a college diploma, around 72% were employed. However, 74% of high school graduates were in the labor force (meaning they were working or actively looking for work), while 42% of high school drop outs were working.

This means that regardless of your educational attainment, there will be a position in the job market that will suit your educational attainment. However, depending on what that is, the job market could be competitive.

Also, take note of the salary difference. One of the possible reasons why over half of high school graduates opt to attend post-secondary education is because the average annual salary of a college graduate is over half the average annual salary of a high school graduate – and the gap between the two educational attainments is only growing wider.

However, some people don’t work for the paycheck alone and work because it’s something they want to do or they’re content with their job and the salary they earn. There is nothing wrong with this, especially if this means they choose a career path or job that allows them to do what they want.

Whether or not you should pursue post-secondary education is ultimately up to you. If you want a career that doesn’t necessarily fall under the available institutions or you feel like continuing education will do little to help your career, then it’s OK to skip this altogether and pursue a career or track that you want. But if you want to pursue continuing education but feel like you can’t afford to take four years of college, then you know that you have other options available that may help you.

About the Author

Emily summers.

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What is a Post-Secondary Degree, and Do I Need One?

Quick Degree Finder

Part of the American dream has always been to send your children to college so they could obtain their degree. Despite a struggling economy, the last decade has seen record numbers of people seeking higher education. In 2019 alone, nearly 20 million Americans enrolled in colleges and universities to receive their degree, and experts are expecting this number to increase over the coming years .

And it’s not just wealthy families that are sending their kids to college. Recent surveys have found more low- and middle-income families are making higher education a priority.

If you have been wondering about getting a post-secondary degree – what it was exactly and if it was something that could help you earn more – be sure to read this entire article , because I’m going to share absolutely everything you need to know about post-secondary degrees.

Let’s get started!

What is a Post-Secondary Degree?

To keep things simple, a post-secondary degree is one that a person can obtain once they’ve received their high school diploma or GED. Post-secondary degrees may come from a community college, vocational school, an undergraduate college or a university.

These degrees show prospective employers that you have taken the time to receive specialized skills and knowledge. Beyond helping you stand out from other candidates come hiring time, post-secondary degrees can help you earn more – and in some cases – quite a bit more!

Types of Post-Secondary Degrees

As I mentioned, a post-secondary degree lets prospective employers know you have obtained specialized skills and information. But there are different types – or levels – of post-secondary degrees, and each one connotes a different level of expertise.

Associates Degree

Associates degrees are typically obtained in two years at either a community college or vocational/technical school. These degrees offer students a higher understanding of different professional settings and prepares them for entry-level work.

An associates degree can also be counted as the first two years of a 4-year bachelor’s degree. Many students, particularly adult students, will obtain their associates degree in order to get their foot in the door of their chosen field. Later, they can use this degree to jumpstart their next leg of education and obtain their bachelor’s degree, which will provide further employment and earnings opportunities.

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Bachelor’s Degree

When we hear the term “college degree,” most people think of the classic 4-year bachelor’s degree. This is the most popular post-secondary degree people earn.

Bachelor’s programs provide a more holistic educational experience because they not only teach employable skills, but also academic subjects that help sharpen the students’ critical thinking skills.

While it typically takes students four years to earn a bachelor’s degree, it can sometimes take six or even eight years to complete. This is usually due to financial reasons, however. If you’re interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree, be sure to read this article all the way to the end because I’m going to share how you can earn your bachelor’s degree for less money and even cut your time in half!

Master’s Degree

Once you have obtained your bachelor’s degree you may choose to go on and pursue a master’s degree. These programs allow students to gain even more expertise around a particular field of study. Depending on the program, master’s degrees typically take an additional two to three years to complete. Once obtained, these degrees can help you advance your career into management roles and earn much higher salaries.

Obtaining a doctorate degree is the highest academic achievement a person can attain. Holders of Ph.Ds. are usually in top positions in their field and earn much more. How much? Keep reading, I’m about to let you in on some salary secrets !

The Benefits of a Post-Secondary Education

At this point you hopefully understand what a post-secondary degree is. But you may still be wondering if obtaining one of these degrees is worth the time and cost.

The following are just some of the benefits of earning a post-secondary degree.

Higher income

I have been alluding to the fact that obtaining a higher degree usually leads to greater earning potential. According to a  new report  from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW), those who have obtained their post-secondary degree can expect to earn quite a bit more than those with only a high school diploma.

Of course, when it comes to earning potential, other factors come into play, such as field of study, occupation and location of your employment. So for instance, someone with a master’s of fine art degree may not earn as much as an engineer with only a bachelor’s degree.

Having said that, surveys taken over the years, including this recent one, have found certain generalized statements, such as those with even an associates degree can expect to earn 20% more than those with a high school diploma or GED.

Those with bachelor’s degrees can expect to earn between 35% and 85% more than those with only a high school diploma, while those with master’s degrees and Ph.Ds. can earn between 85% and 100% more than those with only a high school diploma.

So, if you are someone who is looking to advance your career and start earning more, getting a post-secondary degree makes a lot of sense!

Better Employee Benefits

You may not know this, but jobs that require you to have a bachelor’s degree or higher typically offer better job benefits. For instance, you may find your employer offers healthcare coverage, retirement plans, paid time off and other awesome perks.

More Career Options

It’s simple really: the higher you go with your education, the more career opportunities are available to you. While someone with an associates degree will be able to seek entry-level employment, someone with a master’s degree or Ph. D. will fill the highest positions and earn the highest salary.

Having said that, I want to make it clear that master’s degrees and Ph. Ds. are not necessary to have a rewarding and lucrative career. Many people have the career of their dreams and earn a great salary by earning a bachelor’s degree.

Job Security

If you’ve been in the job market over the last decade, you know that when the economy struggles, employers need to make cuts. Without question, those employees who have the most skills and expertise offer the most value to their employers and therefor have greater job security.

Job Satisfaction

We spend eight hours a day (or more) five days a week (or more) at our jobs. That’s a lot of time dedicated to something you may not like doing. Life just feels better when we love our work. Often, the careers that bring those most meaning and purpose into our lives, such as those in healthcare, science or education, require a post-secondary degree.

This isn’t by any means an exhaustive list of benefits, but these give you an idea of why you may seriously want to consider obtaining your post-secondary degree.

Cons of a Post-Secondary Education

Of course, to decide if a post-secondary education is right for you, you’ll also want to take into consideration a couple of cons, namely:

• It’s Expensive!

Obtaining a college degree is a definite financial commitment. And when you hear about students graduating with a mountain of student loan debt, it can stop you from following your dreams.

There are other common ways to pay for college such as applying for grants and scholarships. Unfortunately, what many students don’t realize is, this endeavor often takes a lot of time with no real payoff. There are only so many grants and scholarships to go around, and so most people will waste hours applying and never see any financial help.

Fear not – there is a simple way to save money toward the cost of college tuition, and I’m about to share that with you in just a moment.

Traditional College Degrees are Hard to Obtain for Adult Students

If you’re a working adult with family responsibilities, it can be next to impossible for you to put your life on hold so that you can move to another state to attend college for four years! Even attempting to take evening classes at your local community college can be a challenge when you have a growing family.

Without question, these two cons are why so many adults give up their pursuit of higher education. And that’s too bad because as we’ve seen, earning a post-secondary degree can be life changing!

Well, the good news is, there is any easy fix for these two problems. Earn your post-secondary degree online!

Can I Really Earn My Post-Secondary Degree Online?

Yes, you really can. In fact, according to one recent article in US News, over 6 million students have found earning their college degree online to be the fastest and easiest way to do it!

Here are some of the main benefits of earning your post-secondary degree online:

It’s More Affordable

Traditional college tuition can cost tens of thousands of dollars. It’s getting harder and harder for the average person to be able to afford this.

An online education, on the other hand, costs just a fraction of a typical education. You see, a physical brick and mortar school has a lot of operating expenses, and those expenses get passed onto you, the student.

Online degrees don’t have these same operating expenses and so you can save a ton. In addition, OnlineDegree.com can help you find even better ways to save. We’ve partnered with accredited colleges and universities across the country that not only offer online courses, they also offer upfront tuition discounts.

And as if that isn’t incredible enough, OnlineDegrees.com offers our students FREE classes for credit. You read that right! Take as many FREE classes as you’d like, then apply those later toward your degree. We’ll connect you with those programs that will accept these credits, thereby saving you EVEN MORE money and helping you earn your degree in far less time!

Hey there win/win!

If you’re a working adult raising a young family, you’ll be happy to know that earning your degree online offers a lot of necessary flexibility. Real life can often get in the way of your evening or weekend classes. Your boss may ask you to stay late, or your kid may get sick.

When you earn your degree online, you study when and where is most convenient for YOU. Set your own schedule and never have to worry about missing work or an important family event ever again!

Adult Friendly

Many institutions that offer online degree programs go out of their way to be adult friendly . This means in addition to being more flexible and affordable, these programs also do things like waive the need to submit SAT or ACT scores and also have open admissions. With open admissions, you can sign up for a post-secondary degree 24/7 365. You DON’T have to try and get your application package in by a specific date like most traditional colleges require.

Are You Ready to Get Started with Your Post-Secondary Degree?

I hope this article has answered any questions you may have had about post-secondary degrees. Without question, earning a post-secondary degree can help you build a rewarding career that offers numerous opportunities and a great salary.

And now you know you can earn this degree online far faster and more affordably than you ever thought possible!

OnlineDegree.com is 100% free for you to use . We provide you the tools to meet your education goals so you can learn your way to a more satisfying and prosperous life. By using our Smartplan , you can easily find ways to save time and money in just a few mouse clicks.

Our Smartplan will help you find:

• FREE courses you can take for credit
• Available tuition discounts
• Schools that are “adult friendly” and offer flexible enrollments and course schedules
• Schools that don’t require SAT or ACT scores
• And much more!

It only takes two minutes to sign up and get started on your journey toward earning your post-secondary degree and a brighter future .

What are you waiting for? Get started today .

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What is a Post-Secondary Education? All You Must Know in 2024

Postsecondary Education Definition

This is also called Tertiary education, the level of education following successful completion of high school, often called secondary school. It is a higher-level education, and it includes universities and colleges, also trade technical and professional schools. The Post education student usually receives a diploma, certificate, or university degree.

Education is decentralized from the federal government and is independent of its regulation. Post-secondary education is often different from one another, as we have private and public institutions.

While some of the institutions are both small and big, some are affiliation with religious groups, and others can be rural, urban, and secular. Depending on your choice, many options are often defined locally.

This education is an ongoing course of study that provides you with skills centered on a career that allows you to find your career as you develop a wealth of knowledge in this particular field.

What is Considered a Post-secondary Education?

Post-secondary education refers to  an education that goes beyond high school, as the  postsecondary education meaning  comes from its name, i.e., after secondary school.

 Any school that offers certificates for trade, diploma, and college degrees are referred to as a post-secondary school, and many times it can be either be below or above the college degree; it can be the master’s degree, professional degrees, and doctorates.

Any education after high school that is aimed at making the student further to an advanced study or to focus on a specific career.

What is Postsecondary School?

These are schools that offer a program that is on a more advanced level than the high school. The schools can either be private or public, and the schools are available with a variety of courses that the student can choose from.

Postsecondary schools require that you must have passed through high school because being a graduate from school is one of the entry requirements. These schools offer courses both at the graduate level and at the undergraduate level. While some of them might be schools that equip the student vocationally and technically to become fit for the labor market.

It does not matter the certificate the school offers, but the fact you have to pursue it after high school makes it a postsecondary school. Examples of some of these schools are universities, colleges, junior or community colleges , and Technical or vocational or trade or career schools.

Differences Between Secondary and  Post-secondary Education

The course work in Postsecondary college  is always more rigorous and intense than in secondary education. You will have to study more after each class.

In secondary school, your teachers might still treat you and relate with you on the basis that you are still young, but once you start postsecondary education your professors will consider you as an adult.

The subject taught in secondary schools invariably teaches the student the basic things of life, i.e., how they can live, communicate and connect with people with courses such as math, English, and communications. And some students start working directly with a diploma from high school.

While the  Postsecondary courses  teach the student to be thinkers, innovators, professionals, and researchers. These courses prepare them for more advanced responsibilities both in life and in their workplace.

The secondary school students must attend a class every time and mustn’t miss because the teacher will notice, but the postsecondary school classes have a larger audience, so you might decide as a postsecondary student not to go along with classes. Whether you will fail or not, it solely depends on you.

Postsecondary school study is more flexible than secondary school, your choice, and limitless, and you can decide whether you are choosing a thing or not.

The timetable for subjects at the  secondary school in the USA  is fixed, and  the post-secondary institution of higher education timetable is flexible enough for you to plan and decide everything yourself.

The different types of postsecondary schools available are different for different purposes, depending on the student’s needs. Some of them are public and private, while some are larger and others smaller. 

Some of the schools are four years, two years, while others can require more years. The four-year schools offer bachelor’s degrees as the qualification, and the two-year colleges offer the associate degree as a qualification.

Other schools can offer masters, doctorates, and other certifications. So, what are the different types of Post-secondary institutions?

Types of  Post-secondary Institutions

The college is a four-year program that awards a bachelor’s degree i.e., BA, BS, BAFA, and BAS. Some of these colleges also award graduate degrees such as Masters, while others offer two-year associate of arts and science degrees. 

 And the college might be specialized e.g., Nursing and Medicine, or offer a wide range of courses, for example, Liberal art with an emphasis on humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The classes in college are often fewer than in university classes.

• Universities

The university offers both undergraduate and graduate programs and might even have a college of humanity, and professional and graduate studies such as the school of law and the Med school. 

 And universities also have more focus on academic and scientific research , and the classrooms are always more crowded than the colleges. This is because Universities offer associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and graduate degrees.

This type of school offers a lot of courses and programs; therefore, they are always having a lot of resources. Sometimes Graduate students are the ones that will take some classes as teaching assistants for the professors because most of the professors are always busy researching.

• Community Colleges

These are public institutions and offer two years of associate degree programs to students. Additionally, they also offer technical and vocational programs that will prepare the students for their future careers.

The school is generally accessible and mostly accessible by a student who is 18 and above at the time of admission. You can always attend community colleges to pursue a two-year program before you transfer to a college or university where you can pursue your bachelor’s degree program.

Most people prefer Community College because it is often more affordable, and the standard of admission is lesser than a four-year bachelor’s degree.

• Junior Colleges

Junior college offers the same courses as the community colleges, but it’s private and not a public institution supported by the Government.

• Career or Technical Schools

These are also called technical colleges; the school can be either operated privately or by the public. They offer programs that are either two years or less. Some programs might last only for weeks and months, depending on the requirement.

They are focused mostly on preparing and equipping students with the necessary technical and vocational skills to become employable immediately after school. At the conclusion of the program, the student can receive certificates, licenses, and associate degrees.

Technical schools are similar to trade schools, although the technical school teaches the student what makes an occupation work, and trade school focuses on the practical skills that can be applied.

• Vocational and Technical Education

Vocational and technical training provides students with professional teaching and training without a bachelor’s degree or diploma. Vocational and Technical course aims to prepare and equip students for occupations by providing technical and conceptual training with practical experience in a particular field.

This education is mostly for students that are not fans of a four-year bachelor’s degree. Within a shorter period, students can learn the necessary things to make them qualified for their chosen trades.

And the workforce in the US is made up of a larger percentage of people with technical and vocational certificates. In this type of postsecondary education, the program will be in direct alignment with the career.

Some Examples of Technical and Vocational Education:

• Dental assistants
• Occupational therapy assistants
• Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
• Nursing assistants
• Cosmetologists
• Electricians
• Fitness trainers
• Emergency Medical Technician and paramedics
• Automotive service technicians and mechanics
• Diagnostic medical sonographers
• Personal care aides

Undergraduate Postsecondary Education

Undergraduate education is the first postsecondary after high school. This type of education offers a degree as the qualification for the student. It can either be a two-year or a four-year degree program.

The associate is more accessible and only takes two years to complete. The associate’s is sometimes known as the transfer degree because it can either be studied to be used for advancement to higher learning or immediate employment. It is not specialized.

The associate degree is divided into two types: the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science. 

The bachelor, on the other hand, uses the four-year option that is more specialized and has more entry standards and requirements than the associate. They can also either be used to further pursue higher learning or can be career-centered.

Although the program is four years, there are institutions that offer an accelerated option; the accelerated degree allows you to earn your degree in a shorter period. 

There are different types of bachelor’s accredited in the US, but four out of them are generally known, and these are: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and a Bachelor of Applied Science.

It can be studied part-time or full-time, but many bachelor students tend to go full-time.

Some examples of undergraduate Postsecondary Education:

•  Associate of Science (AS)
•  Associate of Arts (AA)
•  Associate of Science in Accounting (AS)
•  Associate of Technology (AT)
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
• Associate of Engineering (AE)
• Associate of Applied Arts (AAA)
• Associate of Forestry (AF)
• Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT)
•  Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
• Bachelor of Architecture (BArch)
• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science in Business (BSBA)
• Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)
• Bachelor of Administrative Studies
• International Business Economics (BIBE)
• Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA)
• Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BSET)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Technology (BTech)
• Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS)
• Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science 

Graduate Postsecondary Education

This is the highest level of achievement in academics, and it comes after the undergraduate degree . The graduate degree has the highest level of specialization, and it is more concerned with career.

Depending on your chosen program, the duration of this postsecondary education can last up to eight years and can be as short as one year. Mostly for people that are seeking executive positions in the organization or an individual that wants to work in academia or a research institute.

The entry requirement for this education is the undergraduate and other things based on each institution.

Postsecondary education is divided into two, Master ‘s and Doctoral degrees. The former can take up to three years or as short as one year. It is often the next program people pursue after their undergraduate.

A master’s degree is always more specialized than undergraduate education, and it is a point where most people change their careers. The master’s degree offers different types of options, the common types, specialized, and professional. 

The common types of master’s degrees are Master of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Master of Applied Science.

While the doctoral degree is the most advanced education, it is the highest academic qualification that can be attained by the student. The completion can take up to eight years or less. Research is of utmost importance at this level, and it is mostly pursued by people working in academia.

Unlike undergraduate education, it is mostly pursued while working at the same time. Most of the students at this level are older adults and experienced professionals.

The doctoral degree can be professional, research, higher, or honorary. 

Some examples of graduate Postsecondary Education:

• Master of Arts – M.A.
• Master of Economics – M. Econ
• Master of Professional Studies – MPS 
• Master of Architecture – M. Arch.
• Master of Applied Science – MAS.
• Master of Physics – M. Phys
• Master of Political Science 
• Masters in International Economics – MIE
• Master of Public Administration – MPA
• Master of Advanced Study – M.A.S.
• Master of International Studies – MIS
• Masters of Business Administration – MBA
• Doctor of Business Administration – DBA
• Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D.

 Benefits of Postsecondary Education

Even though post-secondary education is not the main requirement for employment, in this changing economy, a post-secondary degree  will increase your chance of getting employed.

Post-secondary education might not be compulsory and will not be pursued by everybody, but it gives you more chances of acquiring more skills and getting knowledge. 

Another benefit of  post-high school education is personal development; postsecondary education will require that you have intense and rigorous studying, which will, in turn, improve your level of critical thinking.

Also, you will be able to improve your communication skills, both written and verbal. The writings and assignments at the post-secondary level are more advanced, and every assignment completed will help you learn how to communicate effectively.

Most students are still confused about their career choice up to the  post-secondary level . But with different electives and general courses at the undergraduate level, they will be able to identify their area of interest.

As stated earlier, post postsecondary education might not seem compulsory to everybody because there are many jobs you can happily secure with a high school diploma. The time, cost, and effort needed to complete the post-secondary education might be much, but it will certainly pay off.

If you consider the opportunities that being a graduate offers , in terms of personal development , career development, and acquisition of different skills, then you would give postsecondary education a second thought.

Where you have to be careful is, at the point of choosing your field, always ensure it is tailored according to your goal, both personal and career.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is post-secondary education in the us.

Post-secondary includes all education that you can pursue after high school. It is often concluded as a term only for university and college education, but it also extends to trade or technical education and community colleges.

What grade is secondary education?

The secondary education is between grades 6 to 12.

What is considered postsecondary education?

The education that takes place after high school includes universities, colleges, and technical or vocational schools.

What is a private postsecondary education?

Education is undertaken at a privately owned postsecondary school other than the ones owned by the state government.

Is a bachelor’s degree in postsecondary education?

A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate study that is part of postsecondary education.

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Post-Secondary Education Meaning in the USA: A Comprehensive Guide

Post-secondary education in the United States refers to education that takes place after completing high school. It includes colleges, universities, and vocational or trade schools. In the U.S., post-secondary education is optional but highly valued for pursuing advanced knowledge and skills. Students can earn various degrees, such as associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Post-secondary education offers a wide range of disciplines and fields of study, allowing individuals to specialize in areas of interest.

Importance of post-secondary education in the USA

Post-secondary education in the United States plays a crucial role in providing individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge for their chosen career paths. It is often viewed as a stepping stone towards better employment opportunities and financial security. There are various options available for individuals who wish to pursue higher education, such as community colleges, universities, vocational schools, and certificate programs.

The demand for post-secondary education in the US has increased significantly due to its perceived importance in the job market. Employers often seek candidates with higher education degrees, as these qualifications suggest a higher level of expertise in the respective field. It is not uncommon for individuals with a bachelor’s or higher degree to enjoy better job prospects and salaries compared to their counterparts without such qualifications.

In addition to improving employability, post-secondary education also contributes to personal growth, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities – skills that are highly valued in the modern workforce. Furthermore, individuals with higher education degrees are more likely to engage in innovation, research, and development, driving advancements both within their industries and the broader economy.

Understanding Post-Secondary Education in the USA

In the United States, post-secondary education, also known as higher or tertiary education, refers to all educational programs and degrees pursued after completing high school. This voluntary stage of formal learning offers various options for students. Let’s explore some key aspects of post-secondary education.

• Firstly, degree programs can range from certificate and diploma courses to associate, bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees. Each level provides a different level of qualification and prepares students for a variety of career paths.
• Secondly, there are multiple institutions that offer post-secondary education, including universities, colleges, community colleges, and vocational schools. Each institution caters to different needs and interests, so students can choose the best fit for their aspirations.
• Thirdly, online and distance learning are becoming increasingly popular, providing flexibility for those with jobs, families, or other responsibilities. This enables students to access education from anywhere and complete their courses at their convenience.
• Lastly, adult and continuing education programs are available for individuals who wish to enhance their skills or pursue a new career path at any stage in life. These programs cut across all educational levels, offering opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Types of Post-Secondary Institutions in the USA

Post-secondary education in the USA offers a variety of institutions for students to continue their education after high school. Each institution caters to different goals and career paths.

• Community colleges provide affordable education options for students looking to earn associate degrees or transfer credits to a four-year university. They often have open admission policies and allow for flexible schedules, making them accessible to a wide range of students.
• Four-year universities and colleges focus on providing bachelor’s degree programs, in addition to master’s and doctoral degrees. These institutions can be either public or private, with varying levels of competitiveness and selectivity.
• Trade and vocational schools offer specialized training in specific careers. They typically award diplomas or certificates and have shorter program durations compared to traditional colleges. Examples include culinary arts, automotive repair, and cosmetology schools.
• Online institutions are a growing trend in post-secondary education. They offer flexible schedules and remote learning opportunities for students who may have work or family commitments. Many traditional colleges and universities also provide online degree options.

Finally, professional schools offer advanced education in fields like law, medicine, and business. These institutions require prior undergraduate education and usually result in professional degrees, such as Juris Doctor (JD) or Doctor of Medicine (MD).

Degrees and Programs Offered in Post-Secondary Education in the USA

Post-secondary education in the USA offers a wide range of degree programs, options, and pathways to cater to diverse student interests and career aspirations. Here’s a list of common degrees and programs to help you understand the variety of educational opportunities available.

• Certificate and Diploma Programs: These non-degree qualifications focus on specific skills and knowledge required for a particular field, typically lasting one to two years. These programs are often offered by community colleges, vocational schools, or technical institutes.
• Associate Degrees: Offered by community colleges or junior colleges, associate degrees can be completed in around two years. Common titles include the Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.). These degrees can also act as a stepping stone to a bachelor’s program.
• Bachelor’s Degrees: A four-year undergraduate degree, typically offered at universities and colleges. The most common types are Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.). Students major in a specific area of study while also taking classes in general education.
• First Professional Degrees: These are specialized degrees in fields like medicine, law, and dentistry, typically requiring prior undergraduate education for admission. Examples include the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), and Juris Doctor (J.D.).
• Master’s Degrees: A postgraduate degree following a bachelor’s, often involving advanced coursework, research, and a thesis. Common titles include Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.).
• Advanced Intermediate Degrees: These bridge the gap between master’s and doctorate studies, typically representing additional research, coursework, or training. Examples include Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.).
• Research Doctorate Degrees: The highest level of academic achievement, awarded after extensive research and submission of a dissertation. Examples include Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Doctor of Science (Sc.D.).

Admission Process for Post-Secondary Education

The admission process for post-secondary education in the USA is a crucial step for students aspiring to continue their studies after high school. It begins with researching and choosing the right institution that aligns with one’s career goals and financial abilities. Students should explore various options, including universities, community colleges, and vocational schools, to find the best fit.

Next, students must prepare for entrance exams, such as the SAT or ACT, which are often required for admission to competitive institutions. Additionally, maintaining a high GPA throughout high school demonstrates strong academic performance and increases the chances of acceptance into desired programs.

Application forms are another important step. Students must carefully complete each section, ensuring all required documentation is attached, including transcripts, entrance exam scores, and letters of recommendation. Many institutions also require a personal statement or essay to showcase the applicant’s personality, interests, and ambitions.

Post-Graduation Opportunities and Career Prospects in the USA

Post-secondary education, also known as higher education, is the educational stage that follows the completion of high school in the United States . This form of education offers students a broad range of opportunities to further their skills and knowledge, opening doors to various career prospects.

• Firstly, continuing education through universities and colleges allows students to pursue undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees. Degrees in fields such as engineering, business, social sciences, and healthcare help students secure well-paying jobs and advance in their careers.
• Secondly, vocational schools and certificate programs provide specialized training that equips students with technical and practical skills for specific industries. Examples include automotive repairs, culinary arts, and information technology. These programs often lead to direct employment opportunities after completion.
• Lastly, community colleges offer affordable education, granting associate degrees and certificates in various disciplines. With flexible course schedules and smaller class sizes, community colleges cater to working students and those seeking a more cost-effective pathway to higher education. Credits earned in these institutions can often be transferred to four-year colleges or universities, serving as a stepping stone to further academic pursuits.

In conclusion, post-secondary education is an essential aspect of personal and professional growth, offering individuals a wide array of opportunities to expand their knowledge and skillsets. Universities, colleges, and trade, technical, or vocational schools all fall under the post-secondary education umbrella, providing diverse options and flexibility for those seeking higher education.

References:

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-structure-us.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higher_education_in_the_United_States

Hi, I’m Robert D. Max, a seasoned traveler, author, and photographer from the USA. With a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management, I currently serve as Tourism Manager at Advance Travel and Tourism, a division of Advance Local. Outside of work, I’ve explored over 40 countries in my 7+ years of travel, documenting my adventures on my blog, AroundUniverse.com . Through my writing and photography, I aim to inspire others to discover the beauty of our world.

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FTC Announces Rule Banning Noncompetes

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Today, the Federal Trade Commission issued a final rule to promote competition by banning noncompetes nationwide, protecting the fundamental freedom of workers to change jobs, increasing innovation, and fostering new business formation.

“Noncompete clauses keep wages low, suppress new ideas, and rob the American economy of dynamism, including from the more than 8,500 new startups that would be created a year once noncompetes are banned,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “The FTC’s final rule to ban noncompetes will ensure Americans have the freedom to pursue a new job, start a new business, or bring a new idea to market.”

The FTC estimates that the final rule banning noncompetes will lead to new business formation growing by 2.7% per year, resulting in more than 8,500 additional new businesses created each year. The final rule is expected to result in higher earnings for workers, with estimated earnings increasing for the average worker by an additional $524 per year, and it is expected to lower health care costs by up to $194 billion over the next decade. In addition, the final rule is expected to help drive innovation, leading to an estimated average increase of 17,000 to 29,000 more patents each year for the next 10 years under the final rule.

Noncompetes are a widespread and often exploitative practice imposing contractual conditions that prevent workers from taking a new job or starting a new business. Noncompetes often force workers to either stay in a job they want to leave or bear other significant harms and costs, such as being forced to switch to a lower-paying field, being forced to relocate, being forced to leave the workforce altogether, or being forced to defend against expensive litigation. An estimated 30 million workers—nearly one in five Americans—are subject to a noncompete.

Under the FTC’s new rule, existing noncompetes for the vast majority of workers will no longer be enforceable after the rule’s effective date. Existing noncompetes for senior executives - who represent less than 0.75% of workers - can remain in force under the FTC’s final rule, but employers are banned from entering into or attempting to enforce any new noncompetes, even if they involve senior executives. Employers will be required to provide notice to workers other than senior executives who are bound by an existing noncompete that they will not be enforcing any noncompetes against them.

In January 2023, the FTC issued a  proposed rule which was subject to a 90-day public comment period. The FTC received more than 26,000 comments on the proposed rule, with over 25,000 comments in support of the FTC’s proposed ban on noncompetes. The comments informed the FTC’s final rulemaking process, with the FTC carefully reviewing each comment and making changes to the proposed rule in response to the public’s feedback.

In the final rule, the Commission has determined that it is an unfair method of competition, and therefore a violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act, for employers to enter into noncompetes with workers and to enforce certain noncompetes.

The Commission found that noncompetes tend to negatively affect competitive conditions in labor markets by inhibiting efficient matching between workers and employers. The Commission also found that noncompetes tend to negatively affect competitive conditions in product and service markets, inhibiting new business formation and innovation. There is also evidence that noncompetes lead to increased market concentration and higher prices for consumers.

Alternatives to Noncompetes

The Commission found that employers have several alternatives to noncompetes that still enable firms to protect their investments without having to enforce a noncompete.

Trade secret laws and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) both provide employers with well-established means to protect proprietary and other sensitive information. Researchers estimate that over 95% of workers with a noncompete already have an NDA.

The Commission also finds that instead of using noncompetes to lock in workers, employers that wish to retain employees can compete on the merits for the worker’s labor services by improving wages and working conditions.

Changes from the NPRM

Under the final rule, existing noncompetes for senior executives can remain in force. Employers, however, are prohibited from entering into or enforcing new noncompetes with senior executives. The final rule defines senior executives as workers earning more than $151,164 annually and who are in policy-making positions.

Additionally, the Commission has eliminated a provision in the proposed rule that would have required employers to legally modify existing noncompetes by formally rescinding them. That change will help to streamline compliance.

Instead, under the final rule, employers will simply have to provide notice to workers bound to an existing noncompete that the noncompete agreement will not be enforced against them in the future. To aid employers’ compliance with this requirement, the Commission has included model language in the final rule that employers can use to communicate to workers. 

The Commission vote to approve the issuance of the final rule was 3-2 with Commissioners Melissa Holyoak and Andrew N. Ferguson voting no. Commissioners Rebecca Kelly Slaughter , Alvaro Bedoya , Melissa Holyoak and Andrew N. Ferguson each issued separate statements. Chair Lina M. Khan will issue a separate statement.

The final rule will become effective 120 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Once the rule is effective, market participants can report information about a suspected violation of the rule to the Bureau of Competition by emailing  [email protected] . 

The Federal Trade Commission develops policy initiatives on issues that affect competition, consumers, and the U.S. economy. The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize. Follow the  FTC on social media , read  consumer alerts  and the  business blog , and  sign up to get the latest FTC news and alerts .

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