What Learners Value Most in Competency-Based Education

By DeVry University

Sept 25, 2026

4 min read

Flexibility is recognized as one of the biggest draws of competency-based education (CBE), but our new research suggests today’s learners are looking for something more: the freedom to move at their own pace without sacrificing structure and support.

Here at DeVry University, we commissioned national research among prospective undergraduate and graduate learners to better understand what they value in a CBE experience. The findings shed light on an important distinction. While flexibility is essential, prospective learners are looking for more than just a self-paced format. Learners also want clear milestones, instructor support, recognition of their existing knowledge and experience, and strong connections between curriculum and career-relevant skills.

Explore the full report

Dive into the details of our research report, Beyond Flexibility: What Today’s Learners Expect From Competency-Based Education, to discover more key insights.

View the report

DeVry University Research Report on Competency-based Education

Here are a few notable findings from our research:

CBE availability impacts enrollment: 31% of undergraduate and 40% of graduate prospects said they would only enroll if a CBE option were available.
Structure is preferred: Although 86% of graduate prospects said they could manage their time effectively without strict deadlines, 49% said they need structured deadlines to stay on track and 58% preferred structured, instructor-led weekly classes.
Support matters: 59% of undergraduate and 66% of graduate prospects preferred messaging that emphasized a supported program experience over a self-guided format.
Age impacts consideration: 63% of prospects 50 and older said they would be more likely to pursue a degree if their desired program were offered in a CBE format.
Male and female interest varies based on consideration stage: 48% of men said a CBE option would make them more likely to pursue a degree they had not previously planned to earn, compared with 36% of women. However, 51% of women said they were more likely to choose CBE for a degree they already planned to pursue, compared to 42% of men.
Parents prefer CBE: Approximately 76% of parents rated CBE “very appealing.”
AI affects consideration: 29% of undergraduate and 27% of graduate prospects cited reliance on AI tools as a potential enrollment concern.

As a whole, our findings point to an evolving view of competency-based education where flexibility is essential, but structure, support, and human connection are also highly valued.

View or download our full research report, Beyond Flexibility: What Today’s Learners Expect From Competency-Based Education, to explore what it reveals about learner expectations, audience preferences, and the role of AI in the CBE experience.