US Continuing Education Market - Focused Insights 2025-2030

US CONTINUING EDUCATION MARKET SIZE

The U.S. continuing education market was estimated at USD 66.91 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 95.98 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 6.20% throughout the forecast period. In the U.S., there is increasing focus on lifelong learning and continuous skill development, with the need for ongoing professional growth driving the expansion of the continuing education market. The rapid pace of change in industries—spurred by technological innovation and evolving job roles—has led professionals to pursue flexible, specialized learning paths to remain up to date and relevant. This has fueled the rise of customized continuing education (CE) offerings that cater to industry-specific competencies, regulatory shifts, and new trends.

The U.S. continuing education sector is marked by intense competition, supported by a strong presence of established providers across both conventional and digital formats. Institutions such as universities, colleges, and schools continue to play a vital role in delivering diverse educational programs that cater to a wide range of learner goals. Concurrently, online CE platforms are witnessing rapid growth as providers increasingly leverage digital tools to extend access and fulfill the rising demand for adaptable education options.

Continuing education encompasses organized learning initiatives aimed at individuals or groups who have exited full-time academic education but wish to advance their skills and knowledge. These offerings are systematically designed to help learners address real-world workplace challenges. Continuing education is especially important for adults who may not perform best in conventional classroom settings, as it equips them with valuable personal and professional skills.

US CONTINUING EDUCATION MARKET NEWS

1. In 2025, the General Assembly is further enhancing its influence in technology-driven continuing education by delivering fast-paced, immersive learning programs. Its signature Data Analytics Certification has seen significant adoption, with more than 97,000 individuals graduating so far. These bootcamps are tailored to meet the increasing need for focused, job-oriented training across the U.S. labor market.
2. Skillsoft has expanded its tech education offerings with notable upgrades, including the 2024 integration of Codecademy's AI coding labs into its Percipio learning platform. This enhancement broadens access to interactive, practical instruction in AI and software development, in response to the growing preference for experiential learning within continuing education.
3. Udemy has reinforced its role in the U.S. continuing education sector by prioritizing AI-focused content and credential-based learning. In 2024, it introduced over 1,000 AI/ML courses on its Udemy Business Pro platform—featuring tools like OpenAI and Google Gemini—and entered a partnership with SHRM to offer HR recertification credits, making it a key platform for both tech and HR upskilling.

U.S. CONTINUING EDUCATION MARKET TRENDS

Advanced Technologies Shaping CE (AI, ML): Artificial intelligence and machine learning are reshaping continuing education by enabling adaptive learning paths, smart tutoring solutions, and reskilling initiatives in in-demand areas such as robotics and data science.

Rising Use of Badging, Micro-Credentials & Blockchain in CE: The adoption of micro-credentials and blockchain-based verification systems is promoting transparent, stackable, and portable certifications, supporting continuous skill development and lifelong education.

ChatGPT Integration Driving the Next Phase of CE: The use of ChatGPT is redefining continuing education by offering dynamic learning assistance, personalized guidance, and efficient exam readiness through AI-powered, real-time interactions.

New Growth Areas in CE: The continuing education market is expanding rapidly due to mandatory training in sectors like real estate, finance, and entrepreneurship, helping professionals meet regulatory standards and remain competitive in evolving industries.

U.S. CONTINUING EDUCATION MARKET DRIVERS

Increase in Industry Competitiveness: With job markets evolving rapidly and placing greater emphasis on performance, many professionals are leveraging continuing education to boost their competitiveness, enhance earning potential, and progress within their fields.

Growing Need for Career-Focused Learning: Organizations across various industries are prioritizing continuing education to address the rising requirements for upskilling and reskilling, leading to heightened interest in adaptable, results-driven CE programs that support career advancement.

Expansion of Blended Learning Models: The rise of hybrid education platforms—merging the flexibility of online learning with the benefits of in-person interaction—is making CE more accessible, lowering costs, and improving learner retention and completion outcomes.

Notable Growth in Healthcare & Engineering CE: Continued education in healthcare and engineering is gaining momentum due to required license renewals, fast-paced technological changes, and the growing role of AI, all of which demand accredited, specialized programs tailored to these critical sectors.

U.S. CONTINUING EDUCATION MARKET SEGMENT INSIGHTS

Insights By Delivery Mode: The classroom learning segment held the largest U.S. continuing education market share, accounting for over 41%. It continues to serve as a foundational element of education, offering an interactive setting where learners can directly engage with instructors and peers. The in-person experience promotes essential interpersonal skills such as collaboration, empathy, and effective communication, valuable beyond academic contexts. While online learning is gaining popularity, classroom-based continuing education remains the preferred choice for many U.S. learners, as it supports structured skill development under expert guidance. Moreover, face-to-face instruction has long been established and widely accepted across both the U.S. and global education systems. This tradition influences delivery preferences, with classroom learning still seeing strong uptake among students, even as professionals lean more toward digital formats.

Insights By Profession: The accountants segment shows significant growth, with the fastest-growing CAGR of 7.44% during the forecast period. The field of accounting is built on a vast knowledge base that is continuously expanding, changing, and becoming more complex. To ensure that Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) provide the quality of advice and service that their clients depend on, CPE is vital. According to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, there were 671,855 actively licensed Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the United States in 2024. Continuing education is essential in this field to keep up with dynamic changes in tax law, financial regulations, and ethical practices. CE is also a requirement in most jurisdictions for license renewal and professional development. The Corporate Finance Institute (CFI) is also a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) sponsor approved by the NASBA, which also offers continuing professional education for accounting professionals. CFI has designed a program providing 254.5 hours of CPE credits that focus mostly on Excel skills, financial analysis, financial modeling, valuation, and business strategy.

Insights By Provider: In 2024, educational institutions lead the U.S. continuing education market by provider, holding the largest share. Universities, colleges, and accredited architectural schools play a central role by offering certificates, workshops, and digital modules specifically designed for licensed professionals. These programs carry strong academic credibility and frequently adhere to standards set by organizations such as NCARB and AIA. Many of these institutions collaborate directly with regulatory bodies, including NCARB and state licensing agencies, to deliver Continuing Education Units (CEU) programs. This close alignment makes them a top choice for licensed architects who must fulfill mandatory educational credits. To meet shifting professional demands, universities are expanding hybrid and online learning options, enabling working professionals to pursue career advancement without disrupting their schedules. The use of virtual design labs, AI-driven simulations, and sustainable design studios has also improved the relevance and interactivity of offerings. Educational institutions continue to be a foundational element of the U.S. continuing education landscape, particularly in the architectural field, due to their regulatory compliance, academic rigor, flexible learning formats, and evidence-based curriculum. With a rising population of licensed professionals and candidates, this segment is poised for steady growth and ongoing influence.

U.S. CONTINUING EDUCATION MARKET VENDOR LANDSCAPE

The U.S. continuing education market report includes proprietary insights on 28 vendors. Market competition is escalating as major platforms differentiate themselves through AI adoption, credentialing alliances, and workforce-focused offerings. LinkedIn Learning and Udemy are at the forefront of AI-driven learning. LinkedIn leverages its integration with Microsoft to offer Azure and AI certifications, while Udemy has introduced more than 1,000 new AI/ML courses. Skillsoft, with Codecademy’s AI coding labs, boosts its tech training capabilities, creating a three-way rivalry among platforms catering to tech professionals.

Credentialing is also a major battleground. Coursera leads through academic affiliations such as its MBA pathway with the University of London. Meanwhile, LinkedIn and Udemy emphasize professional certifications. LinkedIn is NASBA-accredited for finance, while Udemy provides SHRM-endorsed HR content. Rising interest from corporate and government users has pushed General Assembly and Skillsoft into closer competition. General Assembly appeals to the public sector with U.S. Department of Labor-recognized apprenticeships, whereas Skillsoft meets corporate HR needs through its compliance-focused offerings. Pearson is strengthening its position in healthcare with expanded certification programs in medical communication.

Each platform operates under a distinct strategic model: LinkedIn aligns with Microsoft’s ecosystem, Coursera connects academic learning to career advancement, Udemy scales instructor-led courses, General Assembly offers immersive bootcamps, Skillsoft combines compliance and tech training, and Pearson targets test-based certifications. As AI drives platform convergence, the sector remains fragmented, making strategic alliances critical for maintaining market advantage.