Why it’s a smart investment for your team and your bottom line
Traditional Tuition Reimbursement Is Evolving
Tuition reimbursement has long been used to support employees pursuing college degrees. But today’s workforce—and workplace—demands something more agile. Leading companies are now expanding tuition reimbursement to cover continuing education: shorter, skills-focused learning experiences that build talent fast.
If you’re an employee, that means more opportunities to grow. If you’re an employer, this is more than a perk—it’s a strategic edge.
What Is Continuing Education?
Continuing education involves learning beyond formal degrees, such as:
– Online professional development courses
– Industry certifications (e.g., PMP, SHRM, Google, Salesforce)
– CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
– Leadership or management training
– Licenses and renewals
– Non-credit, job-specific training
These programs are typically short, flexible, and directly relevant to daily work, making them ideal for busy professionals and rapidly changing industries.
Why Employers Are Expanding Tuition Reimbursement
1. Upskilling Has Become Urgent
Nearly half of today’s employees will need new skills within the next five years due to AI, automation, and market shifts. Traditional degrees can’t keep up with the pace of change.
Continuing education fills the gap. A two-week certification course can be the difference between a worker lagging or leading innovation.
2. Gen Z Expects Growth Opportunities
61% of Gen Z workers now rank tuition assistance as one of the top factors when choosing a job. Many aren’t looking for degrees—they’re looking for access to growth.
By reimbursing continuing education, companies show they’re invested in career development, not just job roles.
3. It’s a Proven Retention Strategy
Companies with education benefits see higher employee engagement and loyalty. When employees know you’re invested in their development, they’re more likely to stay.
With the cost of turnover estimated at 6–9 months of an employee’s salary, helping employees grow internally is a smart financial move.
4. It Builds Internal Talent Faster
External hiring is expensive, time-consuming, and risky. By reimbursing continuing education, you can promote from within and fill skill gaps efficiently. Instead of searching the
job market for qualified candidates, you create them by training people who already understand your culture and goals.
5. There Are Tax Advantages
Companies can offer up to $5,250 per year in education reimbursement, tax-free. That’s a powerful incentive to invest in employee growth without impacting your bottom line. It’s a win-win: employees grow their careers without debt, and you grow your business with skilled, motivated talent.
The Business Case for Continuing Education Reimbursement
✅ Boosts productivity: Skilled employees are more effective, innovative, and empowered to make smarter decisions.
✅ Fills skill gaps fast: Continuing Ed targets specific needs—from digital tools to regulatory compliance—without the multi-year wait of a degree.
✅ Drives innovation: Learning fuels curiosity and adaptability—traits that are essential in a fast-changing market.
✅ Strengthens company culture: Learning support sends a clear message: we invest in our people. That drives trust, motivation, and long-term loyalty.
✅ Saves money: Fewer resignations, fewer hires, lower onboarding costs, and more internal promotions mean significant cost savings over time.
What Can Be Reimbursed?
Modern education reimbursement programs go beyond traditional tuition. Leading employers now cover:
- Industry certifications
- Professional development courses
- CEUs
- Job-relevant workshops and seminars
- License renewals
- Short-form training aligned with business needs
Companies like Amazon, Chipotle, Target, and Starbucks have embraced this model and are using it to build stronger, more agile teams.
Is It the Right Time for You?
Only you can decide whether to pursue an MSN-NP. But if you’re:
- Looking to expand your clinical role
- Interested in higher pay and more responsibility
- Wanting to be part of the future of healthcare
- Ready to grow personally and professionally
…then it may be the perfect time to take the next step.
How Concordia University Wisconsin Supports Employers
At Concordia University Wisconsin, we focus on career-oriented, flexible learning programs that meet workforce needs. Partner companies can access: 100% online courses, short-term, stackable classes, industry-relevant certificates and non-degree options, custom programs designed to address your team’s skills gaps, and tuition partnership plans to maximize your ROI. Programs like our Business Foundations Gateway, Mini-MBA, Tech Bootcamps, and Professional Certificates enable employees to develop valuable skills without the time or expense of earning a full degree.
Final Thought: Reimbursement Isn’t Just a Perk—It’s a Growth Strategy
Companies that invest in continuing education don’t just “do the right thing.” They build a competitive workforce, strengthen retention, boost engagement, and outperform the market. This shift is about more than education—it’s about future-proofing your business.