Here’s another big number to consider this week: 37.6 million working adults with “some college, no credential” are seeking educational pathways, according to new data released today (Wednesday, June 4) by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Stopped-out student reenrollment jumped 2.7% in 2023-24, more than 1 million adults returned to education for the first time ever.
These are working professionals with immediate needs, disposable income, and urgent skill gaps. Yet 68% of employers partner with third-party providers like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning instead of universities for employee training. Business schools understand the adult market, but are they moving fast enough to capture it before tech platforms dominate entirely?
Based on my experience studying this issue at quite a few business schools, the answer is no.
The microcredential revolution demands a faster response. 72% of employers prefer candidates with industry microcredentials. 90% of students believe professional certificates help them stand out. The World Economic Forum projects 39% of employees will need reskilling by 2030. Business schools that rapidly scale stackable, industry-validated programs will own disproportionate market share.
We need to rethink things. Sure, a place like Harvard Business School generates more revenue from executive education ($168M) and case studies ($229M) than MBA tuition ($120M), according to Poets&Quants’ analysis. But the 37.6 million “some college” adults demand something unprecedented. Business schools could become “skills validation engines,” in addition to knowledge delivery systems. AI-powered competency mapping could create hyper-personalized learning pathways where professionals earn verified capabilities through project outcomes, not seat time. Employers might pay subscription fees for continuous workforce development, with schools providing just-in-time expertise rather than front-loaded education. The most transformative opportunity: creating “learning cooperatives” through industry consortiums where employers co-fund specialized talent pipelines, with business schools orchestrating the ecosystem rather than delivering content.
The schools that accelerate this transformation fastest will dominate the next decade of professional education. If you want to discuss this further, let me know at [email protected].