New Research Shows How High School Students Actually Choose College in 2026

Workforce alignment is the goal. Scaling it is the challenge.

Think about the complex web of information you’re navigating in 2026. Now picture having that same wealth of information and being in high school. Higher ed leaders are in fierce competition for these students’ attention, and they can’t assume that old tactics to engage and attract these learners will work today.

Continuing education leaders are in a challenging, yet enviable position: they have an opportunity to meet the moment by creating flexible, workforce-aligned programs that truly define how their institutions serve modern learners.

Easier said than done.

With Workforce Pell expansion beginning July 1st, there are clear opportunities to grow. At the same time, many continuing education leaders still feel siloed from their broader institutions. They face barriers to execution in administrative burden, technological alignment, and staffing.

New research from Modern Campus breaks this down. Recently released, the 2026 State of Continuing Education report, produced in collaboration with UPCEA, CAUCE and The EvoLLLution, dives into the current state of the continuing education landscape. The report surveyed over 100 continuing education leaders across North America about their main priorities, strategies and challenges to uncover the trends defining the sector.

Here were the most impactful findings:

The data is clear: workforce alignment is now the dominant strategy for continuing ed leaders

The 2026 data shows that workforce alignment is no longer an “emerging” trend for continuing education units. It’s a reality. Online and PCE units have fully shifted towards offering short-term, workforce-aligned credentials:

• 88% now offer microcredentials (up from 74% in 2025)

• 53% now offer stackable credentials (up from 39% in 2025)

• 52% offer industry/test prep credentials (up slightly from 49% in 2025)

All three program types were at their highest recorded levels since the survey was first created in 2019-2020.

This data points to what's happening on the ground: institutions are responding to rapid shifts in industries, and learners have more expectations for how programs will connect them with careers. Online and PCE units have embraced this turning point as they evolve to meet the moment.

Online and PCE units see real momentum, but execution remains a barrier

Continuing education has long been a driver of both revenue and growth for institutions. But that only tells part of the story. These units have long been described as “profit centers," when in fact they have a broader role in equity, institutional impact, and innovation. They provide educational access to a staggering variety of learners who don’t fit the traditional definition of a student.

The audience for continuing ed is shifting:

• According to the data, 99% of online and PCE units now serve adult learners or transfers, an increase of 29% since 2022

• Service to corporate audience, alumni, and government/municipal workers has increased by almost 30% since 2022

In the survey, 79% of respondents said that they have the support and institutional buy-in needed to expand their programs. Alongside this optimism, many expressed barriers to execution in:

• Collaboration: About 41% said that continuing education is siloed across multiple different units, schools or colleges, and the number who agreed that other units collaborate on continuing education development declined to 62% from 71% in 2025.

• Staffing and support: Only 37% of those surveyed said that they have the staff required to meet their program goals. 30% felt that they lack marketing support (up from 14% last year), and 22% lack instructional design positions (up from 9% last year).

• Technology integration: Only 27% said that their technology integrates seamlessly with the technology used by the main campus.

Institutions that can invest in both human capacity and integrated platforms will be best positioned to scale.

Workforce Pell expansion brings these opportunities and challenges into focus

Workforce Pell eligibility is fast approaching. With July 1st as the official start date, we asked respondents about their readiness for this landmark initiative to expand federal funding for continuing education.

The respondents were optimistic about Workforce Pell and the opportunities it will present to learners, but many face implementation gaps. About 80% agreed that Workforce Pell will benefit learners, and 67% of those surveyed are at least somewhat likely to expand their short-term, workforce-aligned programs in response.

Meanwhile, 42% of respondents said that their online and PCE units are unprepared to meet the associated data and reporting requirements. The biggest barriers were:

• Connecting learner data to state longitudinal systems (65%)

• Determining program eligibility (59%)

• Capturing learner data (57%), and

• Capturing external credential attainment for learners (57%)

These findings point to a defining tension as ambition faces real infrastructure constraints. Continuing education leaders see real potential with Workforce Pell, but delivery will involve a multifaceted effort to align systems, data and programs.

In 2026, the question is no longer whether continuing online and PCE units will pursue workforce-aligned learning. It’s how they’ll get there.

Dive into the 2026 State of Continuing Education Report and see how your institution compares. Brand new this year, the report offers an interactive web version, as well as a downloadable PDF.

For additional resources around how institutions are preparing for Workforce Pell, check out this Webinar.

Last updated: April 20, 2026