Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

credential inflation

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.73 in modern English

Syllables: cre-den-tial in-fla-tion
IPA

25

Scrabble Score

19

Letters

5

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The phenomenon of academic credentials, particularly university degrees, dwindling in value and recognition on the job market due to easy availability and oversupply.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

"The process of credential inflation is largely self-driven; it feeds on itself. A given level of education at one time gave access to elite jobs. As educational attainment has expanded, the social distinctiveness of that degree and its value on the occupational marketplace have declined; this in turn has expanded demand for still higher levels of education."

Etymology

Coined by Randall Collins in 1979.

Usage

Uncountable

Phrases

grade inflation paper ceiling sheepskin effect

Frequently Paired Words

credentialism grade inflation paper ceiling sheepskin effect

Questions

What does credential inflation mean?: The phenomenon of academic credentials, particularly university degrees, dwindling in value and recognition on the job market due to easy availability and oversupply.
Where does credential inflation come from?: Coined by Randall Collins in 1979.

How to pronounce credential inflation

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