If you’ve been considering going back to school, you’ve probably heard the ongoing debate: Do we really need degrees anymore, or are skills simply enough? It’s a fair question, especially when you’re balancing work, family, and the investment of time and money that education requires.
The truth is more nuanced than the headlines suggest. In 2026, employers want both skills and credentials, but the way they’re weighing these factors has shifted dramatically. Understanding this landscape can help you strategically plan your next moves.
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The Skills First Hiring Movement Is Real
Let’s start with what’s actually changing. Major employers including Google, IBM, Apple, and Bank of America have removed degree requirements from significant portions of their job postings. According to recent workforce data, approximately 45% of companies have dropped bachelor’s degree requirements for positions that previously required them.
This shift reflects a practical reality: employers need people who can do the job, not just people with the right credentials on paper. For mid-career professionals and non-traditional students, this is genuinely encouraging news. Your work experience, self-taught skills, and real world problem solving abilities now matter a bit more than ever before.
Where Skills Alone Can Take You
In certain fields, demonstrable skills can absolutely open doors without a formal degree. Technology roles, particularly in web development, UX design, and digital marketing, often prioritize portfolios and practical experience. Creative fields like graphic design, content creation, and video production similarly value your body of work over your academic credentials.
If you’re pivoting into these areas and can show proof of your abilities through projects or freelance work, you may find opportunities without returning to school.
What the Headlines Don’t Tell You
While the skills first movement is real, it’s not the whole story. Even companies that have removed degree requirements often still prefer candidates with degrees when all other factors are equal. Degree holders still earn more over their lifetimes compared to those with only high school diplomas, and unemployment rates remain consistently lower for degree holders.
The skills first hiring trend is most pronounced at entry level positions. As you move up the career ladder, credentials become more important again. Leadership positions, management roles, and specialized fields are still trending in heavy favor for degree holders.
Moreover, the market is saturated with certification options, and not all credentials carry equal weight with employers. A certificate from a well known university or an industry recognized body (such as Google) is not the same as one from an unknown online platform.
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Where Degrees Still Matter
Certain fields simply require degrees, either by regulation or by industry standard. Healthcare, education, engineering, law, accounting, and social work all have degree requirements that aren’t going anywhere. If you’re interested in these stable, growing fields, there’s unfortunately, no workaround.
But beyond these obvious cases, degrees provide something that’s harder to quantify, credibility and structure. A regionally accredited degree from a recognized institution signals to employers that you’ve completed a comprehensive program, met consistent standards, and gained both depth and breadth in your field. It’s a form of quality assurance.
For non-traditional students especially, this matters. When you’re competing against candidates with continuous career trajectories, a legitimate degree can level the playing field. It shows commitment, follow-through, and a willingness to invest in yourself.
The Best of Both Worlds
Here’s where the conversation gets interesting for adult learners. In today’s environment, modern degree programs, designed for working adults, are increasingly skills focused themselves. Trust, these aren’t your traditional lecture hall experiences.
Online and hybrid degree programs now emphasize practical, applicable skills alongside theoretical knowledge. Many include real world projects and industry partnerships. In many instances, you’re not choosing between skills and degrees anymore; the right program gives you both.
Accredited online programs offer the flexibility to balance school with your current job and family responsibilities. You can apply what you’re learning immediately in your workplace. These programs understand that you need ROI (they’re designed to be completed while you work) and often offer accelerated pathways for students with prior experience, while still focusing on skills that employers actually need.
Making the Best Decision for Your Situation
So what should you do? The answer depends on your specific goals, your field, and your current position.
If you’re looking to move into leadership, switch to a regulated profession, or establish long term career security, a degree may be your best investment. If you’re already working in your desired field and need specific technical skills to advance, targeted certifications might be sufficient. Pro tip: don’t hesitate to make some cold reach outs to co-workers and team leads! Your peers can help to offer insight and points of view you may not have considered. These conversations can assist in the roadmap you need, to get you where you want to be in your career.
In addition to the above, keep these points in mind: Does your target industry show a clear preference for degrees and/or skills? Are you early in your career or looking to make a significant pivot? Most importantly, consider the legitimacy question. Regional accreditation matters. Employer recognition matters.
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The ROI Question: Is It Worth It?
This is the real question, isn’t it? When you’re juggling responsibilities and looking at tuition costs, you need to know the investment will pay off.
The data still shows us that degree holders will see significant earnings premiums and better job security, over time. But the key is choosing the right program. Look for programs with strong employment outcomes, industry connections, and support services for adult learners. Online programs at established institutions often offer lower costs than traditional on campus options while providing the same accreditation and credential.
Many programs offer flexible payment options, and financial aid may be available for working adults, including federal student aid, employer tuition assistance, and scholarships specifically for non-traditional students. The time commitment is real, but accelerated programs and prior learning assessments can shorten your path to completion.
Moving Forward
The skills versus degrees debate isn’t really a binary choice. The employers who want skilled workers also value credentials. The credentials that matter most are those that come with real, applicable skills.
As a non-traditional student, understand that you will already be bringing valuable experience to any program you enter. The right degree program will recognize that experience and build on it, giving you both the skills employers want and the credential they trust.
The job market of 2026 is more open to diverse pathways than ever before, the first step is simply understanding what programs are available that match your schedule, your budget, and your career goals. Your experience matters, your time matters, and your future matters. Go make it yours!
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