New Coursera report shows that there are strong employers and students ROIs for industry micro applications: higher starting salary, higher job preparation, and lower training costs

Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera

I’m happy to share Coursera’s Micro-Credentials Impact Report 2025,,,,, This brings together the views of more than 2,000 students and employers from six regions to better understand the rising demand for microbelievers and their real-world impact. Global surveys found that 90% of employers are willing to provide higher starting wages (usually 10-15%) for candidates with micro-certification, and 87% of employers have hired at least one micro-holder over the past year.

WEF’s latest research shows that employers view skills gaps as a major obstacle to business transformation. Meanwhile, students are increasingly worried about whether traditional degrees will provide them with the skills they need to find a job in a competitive labor market. The emergence of microscopics is a solution: prepare graduates for the modern workplace and allow employers to ensure entry-level employees actually have the skills they need.

The new report provides the strongest evidence that employers and students around the world are getting tangible rewards from these certificates. We found:

Earn micro learners are hired. After hiring, these employees received salary increases and promotions and performed better in their roles.

• 85% of employers are more likely to hire candidates with microscopics than candidates without microscopics; 96% say earning microscopics can improve candidate applications
• Entry-level employees with micro-beliefs report tangible career benefits: 28% receive salaries and receive 21% bonuses and receive micro-promotions
• 70% say their productivity increases after gaining micro earnings, and more than 60% (63%) develop better problem-solving skills
• 71% of entry-level employees are upset about the pace of their industry change, but 83% say microscopic beliefs give them confidence to adapt to new roles
• 91% say employees with microfaith show higher proficiency

Currently, one in 10 employers are using micro beliefs to promote skills-based recruitment. They reported more employees who could work and lowered training costs.

• Almost all employers (97%) are already using or actively exploring skills-based recruitment
• 92% of employers say graduates with microfaith have the skills that are immediately applicable to their job roles
• 9 (89%) employers who hire candidates with micro-beliefs save on training costs for entry-level employees

Almost all students want their university to provide micro credit for credit. When offered, they drive higher enrollment, increase engagement and increase employment.

• 94% of students expect microscopic degrees to meet degrees – up from 55% in 2023
• Globally, many students say they are likely to take a degree program with micro-certification (77%) without micro-degree (36%). And 2.4 times the students (88%) said that if these micro credit rates were creditworthy, they might be recruiting.
• Almost a lot of students are involved in programs that offer micro-rewards, and 90% of students say they may interact with degree programs if these micro-rewards are creditworthy.
• 94% of students agree that microscopic helps build basic career skills

Students also want their degree to offer Genai training, and employers want to graduate from these skills. Despite the overwhelming demand, few people have obtained Genai certificates at universities.

• 93% of students believe that Genai training is a degree program, and 94% of employers believe that universities should provide graduates with Genai skills in entry-level roles.
• Many students say they are likely to take a degree program with Genai Micro Awards (89%), without a micro degree program (36%).
• 92% of employers are more likely to hire candidates with Genai microscopy than none of them
• Three-quarters of employers say they would hire an experienced candidate with a Genai certificate instead of an experienced person
• However, only 17% of students have won the Genai Micro-Credential to-do list

Francesca Lockhart, professor at the University of Texas at Austin and lead the program at the Cybersecurity Clinic, said: “Employers’ need for skill-based recruitment requires educators to prioritize skill-based learning. We must adjust the curriculum to prepare students in the job market where qualifications are needed so quickly that traditional education is to keep pace.”

To gain insight into how these certificates shape specific career outcomes and workforce preparation, Coursera surveyed more than 1,000 employers and 1,200 learners worldwide.

This study provides compelling evidence that micro-convictions are delivering stronger outcomes for students, employers and universities as technological change and economic uncertainty reshape education and work.

Download the full report here. To learn more about Coursera for Campus, visit Coursera.org/campus.