Graduation season highlights the growing importance of industry-recognized certifications as students pursue faster, more affordable career paths
AMERICAN FORK, Utah, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — YouScience®, the leading education technology company transforming college and career readiness through its award-winning platform Brightpath, today announced it has delivered more than 1.4 million industry-recognized certification exams over the past 12 months–a 20% increase year-over-year. The sharp rise reflects a national shift in how students, families, and educators are preparing for the future as fewer graduates pursue four-year college degrees.
According to YouScience’s 2025 Post-Graduation Readiness Report, only 35% of Class of 2024 graduates opted for a four-year college, a steep drop from 55% in 2019. In this changing landscape, certifications are becoming powerful tools for students to validate practical skills, earn college credit, and launch directly into high-demand careers, internships, and apprenticeships.
“YouScience’s Industry-Recognized Certifications (IRCs) are unlocking opportunities by introducing students to careers they might not have otherwise known about and by giving them real-world, hands-on experience,” said Edson Barton, CEO of YouScience. “We’re seeing a growing national recognition that success doesn’t always require a traditional degree. Students deserve access to tools that prove their abilities, give them confidence, and open doors to both education and employment. These certifications are not optional, but essential for building equitable, skills-based pathways to success.”
With over 200 certification exams in its library, YouScience offers credentials across a wide range of fields, including Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM), Manufacturing, Architecture & Construction, and Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources. These credentials validate students’ mastery of real-world, career-relevant skills.
The most frequently taken exams nationwide during the 2024–25 school year include:
- 21st Century Success Skills
- General Financial Literacy
- Health Science Introduction
- Medical Terminology
- Preparing for College and Careers
- Exploring Computer Science
Beyond benefiting students, YouScience certifications empower educators by providing a measurable way to track student growth. Through pre- and post-testing, teachers can demonstrate instructional impact and meet both state and federal accountability requirements, like Perkins V funding requirements.
In Washington’s Yakima School District, educators say the value of IRCs is undeniable. “When it comes to budgets and showing CTE classes being successful, we need YouScience industry-recognized credentials to show the data and student growth,” said Eric Franz, CTE Data/Technical Specialist at Yakima School District. “As soon as we can see the IRC data, the educators can show their impact through the student growth. We have the data to prove it.”
As graduation ceremonies unfold across the nation, more students are entering the workforce or college with industry-recognized credentials in hand, giving them a head start toward a successful future.
To learn more about YouScience® Industry Certifications or request a demo, visit: www.youscience.com/industry-certifications.
About YouScience
YouScience® is the leading education technology company dedicated to empowering individuals with the data and credentials needed to succeed in school, career, and life. Its award-winning platform, Brightpath, is the only College & Career Readiness solution built for both compliance and impact–powered by scientifically backed aptitude discovery, industry-recognized certifications, and meaningful career connections. By leveraging cutting-edge research, AI, and industry collaboration, YouScience helps individuals uncover their unique talents, validate their skills, and connect with in-demand educational and career pathways. YouScience has served more than 13,400 educational institutions and millions of users nationwide, making it the preferred choice for individuals, parents, educators, and counselors to achieve real outcomes through education and career pathways.
SOURCE YouScience
