Certification vs Degree: Which Holds More Weight in Tech?

Recent industry reports show a growing shift: about one-quarter of employers plan to eliminate bachelor’s degree requirements for some roles by 2025, and a significant share of hiring managers say they now prioritize relevant experience and skills over formal credentials. 

Yet many professionals still assume a traditional degree is the only legitimate path into tech. In reality, most employers are far less concerned with where you learned and far more interested in whether you can demonstrate job-ready skills and solve real-world problems.

The discussion around certifications versus degrees doesn’t have to be an either-or decision. Both paths have real value, and both can open doors. Degrees offer a strong foundation and long-term credibility, while certifications help you build practical, in-demand skills you can apply right away.

Most successful tech professionals today often blend both approaches. They combine degrees and certifications to create learning paths that are flexible, relevant, and career-focused, helping them get hired now while still growing for the future.

How Hiring Managers Weigh Certifications vs Degrees

Modern hiring managers focus on one priority: identifying candidates who can contribute quickly. The “certification vs degree” discussion is really about which path best demonstrates readiness for a specific role.

How Certifications Influence Hiring Decisions

Certifications give employers clear evidence that a candidate has practical, job-focused skills. They validate practical skills, offer exposure to industry tools, and reduce the employer’s training burden. For example, a candidate with an AWS Solutions Architect or Azure Administrator credential can step into entry-level positions or more advanced cloud roles with minimal ramp-up time.

Certifications require ongoing learning to stay relevant, which means professionals are constantly sharpening their skills as technology evolves. Their hands-on approach allows employers to fill roles more quickly and gives candidates a clear advantage when proving what they can actually do.

How Degrees Influence Hiring Decisions

Degrees offer something certifications alone cannot: a broader perspective and a deeper understanding of core concepts. Earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree exposes professionals to computer science theory, system design, and analytical thinking. These are the skills that become especially important in roles focused on architecture, research, or long-term strategy.

Degrees are also widely recognized credentials that require a significant investment of time and effort. Because of this, they often signal persistence, discipline, and strong professional capability. Many employers look to degree holders when building leadership pipelines or filling roles that demand advanced knowledge beyond day-to-day technical tasks.

When Pursuing a Degree Still Pays Off

In today’s job market, earning a degree is no longer the default option. Still, it remains a strong choice for professionals with specific career goals tied to deeper academic learning or structured development.

You’re Targeting Senior or Management Roles

Higher-level positions such as IT managers, project managers, systems architects, and CIO or CTO-track roles often require a bachelor’s degree, a graduate degree, or even a doctoral degree. All of these roles need strong critical thinking and strategic decision-making skills, which higher education helps to develop.

You Want a Deeper Understanding of Technology

While certifications are great for building specific, job-focused skills, degree programs take a wider view. Students gain exposure to system architecture, algorithms, and foundational concepts that help them adapt as technology evolves. Community colleges and universities provide many certificate programs alongside degree tracks, creating flexible pathways for students with varying learning styles.

You’re Early in Your Career and Exploring Options

If you are just starting, degree programs can help you explore multiple disciplines while taking advantage of online classes, campus support, and financial aid. This structured environment often leads to broader career opportunities than certifications alone can provide.

Top Certifications for ROI in 2026

These high-demand certifications offer strong ROI and align with the fastest-growing areas of technology. Let’s have a look at these top certifications:

1. Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)

Cloud roles remain in high demand as organizations move more of their systems online and expand their digital infrastructure.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

This certification teaches you how to design secure, scalable, cost-efficient cloud architectures using Amazon Web Services. You’ll learn core services like EC2, S3, IAM, VPCs, and load balancing. Employers value this credential because AWS is the world’s largest cloud provider, and this exam proves you can build and support real cloud environments.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate

Focused on Azure’s cloud ecosystem, this certification covers the implementation, management, and monitoring of cloud infrastructure. Skills include managing identities, configuring storage, deploying virtual machines, and securing cloud resources. Companies operating within the Microsoft ecosystem often list this certification as a requirement for cloud and systems admin roles.

Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect

This certification demonstrates advanced knowledge of Google Cloud’s architecture, data solutions, and machine learning services. It verifies your ability to design cloud-native applications and optimize enterprise solutions. It’s especially valuable for organizations using Google’s analytics and AI tools.

2. Cybersecurity

As threats evolve, cybersecurity remains one of the most stable and well-paying career paths.

CompTIA Security+

Security+ provides foundational cybersecurity knowledge and is often the first certification recommended for new security professionals. It covers threat detection, incident response, network defense, and risk management. Because it is vendor-neutral and widely recognized, many employers use it as a baseline requirement for SOC and security analyst roles.

CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)

CISSP is an advanced, globally respected certification for experienced security practitioners. It demonstrates a deep understanding of cybersecurity across eight key domains, including security architecture, governance, risk management, and software security. Because of its strategic, big-picture focus, CISSP is often required for senior or leadership roles and is frequently associated with higher salaries.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

CEH teaches you how to think like a hacker. This helps organizations uncover vulnerabilities before attackers do. IN this certification program, you’ll learn penetration testing techniques, reconnaissance, exploitation, malware analysis, and ethical hacking frameworks. It’s ideal for professionals pursuing offensive security or penetration testing roles.

3. Data & Analytics

Data continues to drive business decisions, automation, and innovation.

Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)

This certification teaches you how to model, visualize, and analyze data using Power BI. It’s one of the fastest ways to break into analytics roles that support reporting and business intelligence teams.

AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty

This advanced certification covers large-scale data processing, analytics architecture, machine learning integrations, and data lakes on AWS. Because of its strong emphasis on real-world, cloud-based analytics, it’s highly valued for roles that involve building and managing cloud-based data solutions.

Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate

This beginner-friendly program helps you build core skills in foundational data analysis, visualization, and reporting using Google tools and SQL. It also prepares candidates for entry-level data analyst roles.

4. Networking and Infrastructure

Networks remain the backbone of every IT environment.

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

CCNA validates your ability to install, configure, secure, and troubleshoot networks. It covers routing, switching, IP services, automation, and basic security. Employers value CCNA because it builds strong technical fundamentals that support both networking and cybersecurity careers.

CompTIA Network+

This vendor-neutral certification teaches the basics of computer networking. It covers how networks work, how devices connect, and how to fix common network problems. It’s often a first step for people starting careers in network support, system administration, or IT infrastructure, and it provides a solid foundation to build on.

 

Other Certificate Programs Worth Exploring

Beyond these categories, many professionals benefit from certifications in:

• Project Management (PMP, CAPM)
• DevOps (Azure DevOps, AWS DevOps Engineer)
• Automation (Ansible, Terraform)

These certificates support career mobility and align with areas where many employers are investing heavily.

How to Build a Blended Credential Strategy That Works

Many professionals find the most success by blending degrees and certifications.

• Start with the Skills You Need Now: Certifications build immediate value and help you gain experience in entry-level positions.
• Layer in Degrees for Long-Term Growth: Degrees develop leadership capacity, strategic insight, and long-term career growth.
• Choose Certifications that Complement Your Degree: Examples include a Computer Science degree + AWS certification, a Cybersecurity degree + Security Plus, and a Business degree + Power BI certification.
• Commit to Lifelong Learning: Tech evolves constantly. Therefore, the combination of certifications, degrees, and lifelong learning ensures you stay competitive and ready for advancement.

FAQs

Are certifications better than degrees for higher salaries?

Not always. Certifications can boost earnings quickly, especially early in your career, but degrees often support higher salaries over time as you move into leadership roles.

Can I switch careers with only certifications?

Yes. Certifications teach job-ready skills that prepare you for entry-level positions, especially in cybersecurity, cloud, and networking.

Is combining certificates and degrees worthwhile?

Absolutely. Combining certificates with academic learning often creates the strongest path for both immediate employability and long-term career growth.

Is online learning effective for tech careers?

Yes. Many students develop strong professional skills through online classes, especially when paired with hands-on labs and instructor-led training.

So… Certification or Degree? The Real Answer

If you’re weighing certification vs degree, the answer isn’t about choosing one forever. Degrees open doors, and certifications open them faster. Together, they create the strongest path forward.

In a tech landscape defined by rapid innovation, certifications help you build practical skills quickly, while degrees provide the deeper foundation needed for strategic and leadership roles. Both play an essential role in long-term success, and the real advantage lies in selecting a combination that aligns with your goals, timeline, and the direction you want your career to take.

If you’re ready to build the right credential strategy for your future, ONLC offers industry-recognized certification courses and expert-led training that help you gain skills, stand out to employers, and advance with confidence.

Explore ONLC’s certification programs today and take your next step toward a stronger tech career.