What Is Postsecondary Education? Meaning and Examples

Postsecondary education refers to formal education or training that students pursue after completing secondary education, such as high school or an equivalent credential.

The term covers much more than traditional four year college.

Depending on a student’s goals, postsecondary education can include a community college, university, career and technical education program, trade school, certificate program, apprenticeship, professional training, or graduate school.

The U.S. National Center for Education Statistics defines postsecondary education as formal instructional programs designed primarily for people who have completed the requirements for a high school diploma or equivalent. It includes academic, vocational, and continuing professional education.

That broad definition matters for educators.

When a student says, “I’m not going to college,” the conversation shouldn’t end there.

The better question is:

What do you want to do next, and what education or training does that goal require?

For one student, the answer might involve a bachelor’s degree.

For another, it might involve an associate degree, industry credential, apprenticeship, technical program, or another form of career training.

Why Should Teachers Understand Postsecondary Education?

Teachers often influence how students think about their future.

Students hear messages about college and careers from parents, counselors, friends, social media, employers, and teachers. Those messages can shape their decisions long before they submit an application.

A teacher doesn’t need to become a college admissions counselor.

But teachers should understand the basic pathways so they can:

• Explain common postsecondary options
• Challenge the idea that there is only one successful path
• Connect classroom learning with careers
• Encourage students to research their options
• Help students identify questions they should ask
• Refer students to qualified counselors and official resources

The U.S. Department of Education currently highlights career and technical education and apprenticeships as important career pathway options alongside other forms of postsecondary preparation.

What Does “Postsecondary” Mean?

The word itself provides a useful clue.

Post means after.

Secondary refers to secondary education, which generally includes high school in the U.S. education system.

So:

Secondary education → High school

Postsecondary education → Education or training after high school

The term does not automatically mean “university.”

It describes a stage of education.

Is Postsecondary Education the Same as Higher Education?

Not always.

People often use the terms interchangeably, but the definitions can differ depending on the context.

NCES uses higher education for study beyond secondary school at an institution offering programs that lead to an associate, bachelor’s, or higher degree. Its definition of postsecondary education is broader and includes academic, vocational, and continuing professional education.

This creates a useful distinction:

In everyday conversation, people may use these terms differently. Educators should look at the definition used by their school, government agency, or institution.

What Are the Main Types of Postsecondary Education?

Students have several possible pathways.

The right choice depends on the student’s career goal, academic preparation, finances, location, interests, responsibilities, and preferred learning environment.

1. Four Year Colleges and Universities

Four year institutions generally offer bachelor’s degree programs.

Common bachelor’s degrees include:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Fine Arts
• Bachelor of Engineering
• Bachelor of Business Administration

Program names and degree structures vary by institution.

Students may study fields such as:

• Education
• Engineering
• Computer science
• Business
• Biology
• Psychology
• Communications
• Fine arts
• Nursing
• Social sciences

Some careers require a bachelor’s degree or higher. Others do not.

Teachers should avoid presenting a bachelor’s degree as the automatic answer for every student.

2. Community Colleges

Community colleges typically offer associate degrees, certificates, workforce programs, and other forms of postsecondary education.

Students may attend community college to:

• Earn an associate degree
• Complete career training
• Earn a certificate
• Prepare for transfer to a four year institution
• Develop academic skills
• Change careers
• Continue education while working

One common pathway looks like this:

High school → Community college → Transfer → Bachelor’s degree

However, students should not assume that every community college program transfers automatically to every university.

They should check transfer agreements and course requirements before choosing classes.

3. Career and Technical Education

Career and Technical Education, or CTE, prepares students for careers through academic and technical learning.

CTE can connect education with areas such as:

• Health care
• Information technology
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Transportation
• Agriculture
• Business
• Hospitality
• Public service

The U.S. Department of Education describes CTE as a pathway that helps students develop academic and technical skills for high skill, high wage, and in demand occupations.

CTE doesn’t necessarily mean students skip further education.

A student may earn a certificate, continue into an associate degree, earn an industry credential, or progress into additional training.

4. Trade and Technical Schools

Trade and technical schools focus on specific occupational skills.

Programs can prepare students for fields such as:

• Electrical work
• HVAC
• Welding
• Automotive service
• Plumbing
• Cosmetology
• Culinary arts
• Medical assisting
• Information technology

Program length varies considerably.

Students should compare:

• Program length
• Tuition
• Required fees
• Equipment costs
• Credential earned
• Accreditation or approval
• Licensing requirements
• Employer recognition
• Graduation outcomes
• Employment outcomes

A short program isn’t automatically a good program.

Students should judge the program by its quality and relevance to their career goal.

5. Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships offer a different model.

Instead of spending all of the learning time in a classroom, apprentices combine paid on the job training with related classroom or technical instruction.

The U.S. Department of Labor describes apprenticeships as programs that combine paid on the job training with classroom instruction and prepare workers for skilled careers.

Registered Apprenticeships can exist in traditional fields such as construction as well as areas such as health care and information technology.

This makes apprenticeships worth discussing with students who prefer learning by doing.

Apply → Get selected → Work and learn → Build skills → Complete required training → Earn a recognized credential

The exact structure varies by occupation and program.

Students should research the sponsor, occupation, wage progression, training requirements, and completion requirements before applying.

6. Certificate Programs

A certificate program usually focuses on a specific area of knowledge or occupational skill.

Certificate programs can exist at:

• Community colleges
• Technical colleges
• Universities
• Career schools
• Other education and training providers

A certificate does not automatically have the same value as a degree.

Students should ask:

Who recognizes this certificate?

Does the employer value it?

Does the program prepare me for a license or certification?

Can the credits transfer?

What jobs do graduates obtain?

These questions help students distinguish useful credentials from credentials that may have little value in their intended field.

7. Industry Certifications

An industry certification generally verifies that a person has met standards established by a professional or industry organization.

Examples exist in areas such as:

• Information technology
• Cybersecurity
• Project management
• Health care
• Skilled trades
• Manufacturing

Certification requirements vary widely.

Some require education, experience, examinations, or a combination of requirements.

Students should check the current requirements directly with the organization that issues the credential.

8. Online Postsecondary Education

Online education allows students to complete courses or programs without attending a traditional campus for every class.

Students may find online:

• Certificates
• Associate degrees
• Bachelor’s degrees
• Master’s degrees
• Professional programs
• Short courses
• Career training

But “online” tells you how a program delivers education, not whether the program has good quality.

Before enrolling, students should investigate:

• Institution accreditation
• Program accreditation where relevant
• Total cost
• Course requirements
• Credential earned
• Transfer options
• Completion rates where available
• Career outcomes
• Licensing eligibility where relevant

For career programs that lead to professional licensing, students should check whether the program meets the requirements of the relevant licensing authority in the state or jurisdiction where they plan to work.

9. Graduate Education

Graduate education generally follows undergraduate study.

It includes programs such as:

Master’s degrees

Examples include:

• Master of Education
• Master of Science
• Master of Arts
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Social Work

Doctoral degrees

Examples include:

• PhD
• EdD
• Professional doctorates

Professional degrees

Examples include:

• JD
• MD
• DDS or DMD
• PharmD
• DVM

Requirements vary significantly by profession and institution.

Some programs require specific undergraduate courses before admission.

Others require entrance examinations, professional experience, portfolios, interviews, or other requirements.

10. Military Education and Training

For students considering military service, education and training can form part of a broader career pathway.

Military service can provide occupational training and access to education benefits for eligible service members and veterans.

However, students should treat military service as a significant career and life decision rather than simply as a way to pay for college.

Students should speak with qualified military education or career representatives and carefully review current service obligations and education benefits.

How Do Students Choose a Postsecondary Path?

There isn’t one correct answer for every student.

A useful decision process starts with the career goal.

Step 1: Identify the Career

Ask:

What type of work interests you?

The student doesn’t need a perfect answer.

They can start with broad interests.

Step 2: Find the Required Credential

Then ask:

What education, training, certification, or license does this career require?

For example:

Career → Required credential → Education pathway

This approach prevents students from choosing a program first and figuring out its career value later.

Step 3: Compare Programs

Students should compare actual programs rather than comparing institution names alone.

Create a table like this:

Factor	Program A	Program B	Program C
Credential
Program length
Tuition
Fees
Financial aid
Location
Delivery
Accreditation
Licensing preparation
Transfer options
Completion data
Career outcomes

This turns a vague decision into a research task.

Cost Matters, But Sticker Price Isn’t Enough

Students often see a published tuition figure and assume that represents what they will actually pay.

It may not.

Students should distinguish between:

Published price

and

Actual expected cost after grants, scholarships, and other financial assistance.

They should also consider expenses beyond tuition:

• Fees
• Books
• Equipment
• Transportation
• Housing
• Food
• Technology
• Childcare where applicable
• Lost income from reduced work hours

For U.S. students, the federal FAFSA serves as the primary application for federal student aid. Students should use current official federal guidance when applying because deadlines and procedures can change.

How Teachers Can Help Students Explore Postsecondary Options

Teachers don’t need to tell students which pathway to choose.

Instead, they can help students ask better questions.

What are you interested in doing?

What skills does that career require?

What credential does the career require?

Which programs offer that credential?

What will the program cost?

What financial support might you qualify for?

What do graduates do afterward?

Does the program meet licensing or certification requirements?

This approach teaches students how to make decisions rather than simply giving them a list of colleges.

A Classroom Activity: Build a Postsecondary Pathway

Teachers can turn postsecondary planning into a practical research activity.

Students will identify a career and map the education or training pathway required to enter that field.

Choose a career.

Research the typical education requirement.

Identify three programs that could prepare them.

Compare program length and cost.

Research relevant credentials or licenses.

Identify potential employment opportunities.

Create a pathway map.

For example:

High school

Community college certificate

Industry certification

Entry level position

Additional training

Career advancement

Students quickly discover that career pathways don’t all look alike.

Postsecondary Education vs College

These terms don’t mean exactly the same thing.

College commonly refers to a type of postsecondary institution or degree program.

Postsecondary education describes the broader category of education and training after secondary school.

For example:

Option	Postsecondary?
Four year university	Yes
Community college	Yes
Trade school	Yes
CTE program	Yes
Apprenticeship	Yes
Graduate school	Yes
Industry training	Often, depending on the program and definition
High school	No

Postsecondary Education vs Higher Education

These terms overlap, but postsecondary education can have a broader scope.

NCES specifically includes academic, vocational, and continuing professional education in its definition of postsecondary education.

For teachers, the practical takeaway is simple:

Don’t use “college” as a synonym for every education option after high school.

Students have more choices.

What Makes a Postsecondary Program Worth Considering?

Students should evaluate programs based on evidence.

Look at:

Accreditation or official approval

Does the institution or program hold the appropriate recognition?

Credential

What exactly will the student earn?

Cost

What will the student actually need to pay?

Completion

How many students complete the program?

Transfer

Can credits transfer where relevant?

Employment

What happens after students finish?

Licensing

Does the program satisfy requirements for the intended profession?

Student support

Does the institution provide advising, tutoring, career services, or other support?

Flexibility

Can students attend full time, part time, online, or through another available format?

Don’t Judge a Pathway by Its Title

A bachelor’s degree isn’t automatically better than an associate degree.

An apprenticeship isn’t automatically better than a university.

A certificate isn’t automatically better than a degree.

The useful question is:

Does this pathway prepare the student for the career and life they want?

Consider a student who wants to become an electrician.

A four year degree might not represent the most direct preparation for that specific goal.

An apprenticeship or technical pathway may make more sense.

Now consider a student who wants to become an engineer.

A bachelor’s degree in engineering may form an essential part of the pathway.

The career determines the education requirement.

Stackable Credentials

Some education pathways allow students to earn credentials in stages.

For example:

Short certificate → Industry credential → Associate degree → Bachelor’s degree

The U.S. Department of Education describes stackable credentials as credentials that can build on one another and help students progress toward further education or employment.

This approach can help students who need to work while studying or who want to build qualifications gradually.

However, students should confirm that credentials actually stack and that institutions accept the relevant credits.

Never assume that one credential automatically counts toward another.

Common Mistakes Students Make

Choosing a Program Before Choosing a Career Goal

Students sometimes choose a program because they recognize the institution’s name.

Start with the intended outcome.

Looking Only at Tuition

A low tuition figure doesn’t necessarily mean a low total cost.

Assuming Every Certificate Has Equal Value

Employer recognition varies.

Ignoring Licensing Requirements

A program may award a degree but still fail to meet the requirements for a professional license.

Assuming Credits Transfer

Transfer policies vary between institutions and programs.

Choosing Based Only on Starting Salary

Students should also consider working conditions, job requirements, location, advancement opportunities, personal interests, and long term goals.

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How Educators Can Make Postsecondary Education Part of Classroom Learning

Postsecondary planning doesn’t need to become a separate class.

Teachers can connect it to existing subjects.

Mathematics

Students compare program costs and build sample budgets.

English

Students write personal statements or analyze career information.

Science

Students research STEM careers and their education requirements.

Social Studies

Students examine workforce trends and education policy.

Technology

Students research digital careers and industry credentials.

Career and Technical Education

Students connect technical skills to employers and postsecondary programs.

These activities make career planning part of academic learning.

A Postsecondary Research Worksheet for Students

Official Resources Teachers Can Give Students

For U.S. students, teachers should encourage students to use official sources when researching postsecondary options.

U.S. Department of Education

The Department of Education provides information about higher education, career pathways, financial aid, and career and technical education.

National Center for Education Statistics

NCES provides definitions and education statistics that teachers can use when explaining postsecondary education.

U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Resources

The Department of Labor provides information about Registered Apprenticeships and apprenticeship opportunities.

Students should also check their state education department, licensing board, individual institutions, and official program websites for requirements that vary by location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is postsecondary education?

Postsecondary education refers to formal education or training that people pursue after completing secondary education, such as high school or an equivalent credential. NCES includes academic, vocational, and continuing professional education within the term.

Is college postsecondary education?

Yes. Colleges and universities fall within postsecondary education, but postsecondary education includes other pathways as well.

Is trade school postsecondary education?

Yes. Trade and technical programs can fall within postsecondary education when they provide formal education or training after secondary school.

Is an apprenticeship postsecondary education?

An apprenticeship can form part of a postsecondary career pathway. Registered Apprenticeships combine paid on the job training with related instruction and lead toward occupational competency and a recognized credential.

Is graduate school postsecondary education?

Yes. Graduate education takes place after undergraduate education and includes master’s, doctoral, and professional programs.

Do all postsecondary programs lead to degrees?

No. Postsecondary education can include certificates, technical training, apprenticeships, and other programs that do not award a traditional degree.

Is a four year degree better than trade school?

Neither option automatically ranks higher. The appropriate pathway depends on the student’s career goal, required credential, finances, interests, and circumstances.

What should students consider before choosing a postsecondary program?

Students should examine the credential, cost, financial aid, program length, admission requirements, accreditation or approval, transfer options, licensing requirements, completion information, and career outcomes.

How can teachers help students with postsecondary planning?

Teachers can expose students to different pathways, connect academic learning to careers, provide research activities, invite professionals into classrooms, and encourage students to use reliable sources when comparing education and training options.

Final Thoughts

Postsecondary education doesn’t have one standard route.

Some students will attend a four year university.

Others will begin at a community college.

Some will enter a CTE program, earn an industry credential, attend a technical school, or begin an apprenticeship.

Others will work first and return to education later.

The teacher’s role isn’t to decide which route every student should take.

It’s to make sure students understand that a career goal should drive the education decision, not the other way around.

Give students the tools to ask better questions.

Help them compare real programs.

Encourage them to check costs, requirements, credentials, and outcomes.

Most importantly, present different pathways with respect.

A good postsecondary education conversation doesn’t ask every student, “Which college are you going to?”