About Us

Merit America is a national nonprofit organization that creates fast, flexible pathways to family-sustaining careers for Americans stuck in low-wage work.

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Who We Are

The American economy is broken

Today, 53 million working adults — nearly half of the U.S. workforce — don’t earn a living wage. College is too long and expensive. Full-time programs don’t offer the flexibility that working adults need. And online courses alone don’t have the structure or support to translate learning into a new career.

Merit America is built for this gap. We pair third-party technical coursework from providers like Google and Coursera with Merit America career coaching services — creating a guided pathway that can be completed while managing work and family.

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Merit America is a national nonprofit organization — a workforce development nonprofit, not a school. We provide career coaching services and connect learners with third-party technical training from industry-recognized providers. Merit America is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 84-2108762).

Programs are fast, flexible, and fully online. Most learners spend 10–15 hours per week while keeping their current responsibilities.

“Merit America helped me change my life. I used to have a job; now I have a career.”

Yves Cooper · IT Support Alum

$21,000

Avg. Annual Wage Increase

2024 Alumni Wage Analysis

75%

Alumni Success Rate

3+ months post-completion

20,000+

Learners Served Since 2018

$1.4B

Cumulative Wage Gains

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Our Approach & Model

A model built to scale what works

Merit America provides a path from low-wage work to skilled careers, with programs that are fast, flexible, and focused on what employers need most — and can be completed while learners manage work and family.

By combining third-party technical training from industry-recognized partners with best-in-class coaching and peer support, we build a pathway to the middle class. We drive change by:

See How It Works

Partner to efficiently recruit learners

We partner with institutions and companies who serve workers in low-wage roles to connect them with Merit America’s programs — meeting learners where they are.

Combine tech and “touch” for the best learning experience

Learners complete third-party technical coursework — such as Google Career Certificates through Coursera — while receiving Merit America career coaching services including workshops, peer support, and 1:1 guidance, creating the best outcomes at the lowest cost per learner.

Place diverse talent with national and local employers

We work with employers like JPMorgan Chase, Amazon, and IBM to introduce them to Merit America alumni who are ready for entry-level careers in skilled fields.

Sustain through a diversified model

Our work is supported by philanthropy, employer partnerships, and learner contributions — creating a sustainable model that can scale to reach hundreds of thousands of workers in low-wage roles.

Learner Stories

Real people, real career changes

Our learners are the heroes of their own stories. Our role is to support, guide, and champion their success.

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Meet Amy

IT Support · Former Warehouse Worker

Amy was working at a warehouse when she came across Merit America. As a single mom, she knew her physically demanding role was limiting her time with her family. Merit America provided the pathway to pursue a career in IT Support — all without a four-year degree.

$60,000Wage increase

IT SupportNew career

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Meet John

Data Analytics · Working Parent

John dreamed of more time with his son, higher pay, and a balanced life. Without a college degree, he felt stuck. Merit America’s flexible program gave him the tools and support to pursue a Data Analytics certificate — while working full-time and homeschooling his son.

Data AnalyticsNew career path

FlexibleFit around family

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Meet Yves

IT Support · Career Changer

Yves needed more than a paycheck — he needed a career. Merit America’s support and dedication helped him gain the skills and confidence to transition into IT Support, transforming his professional trajectory.

Career changeNew trajectory

IT SupportNew career

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Our Vision

We envision a world in which anyone can advance their life based on merit, not money.

Founded in 2018 by leaders in education policy and online learning platforms, Merit America has served over 20,000 learners nationwide — generating an estimated $1.4 billion in cumulative wage gains, with a return of $33 in wage gains for every $1 invested. Merit America has been recognized by Fast Company as one of its Most Innovative Companies. Funders include Blue Meridian Partners, Google.org, Walmart Foundation, Schmidt Futures, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, and Strada Education Network.

As seen in

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Our team of 150+ employees during our 2025 company off-site in Denver, CO

Backed by strategic funding & hiring partners

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about Merit America and how we work.

No. Merit America is a workforce development nonprofit — not a school and not an educational institution. We provide career coaching services and connect learners with third-party technical training. We don’t issue certificates, certifications, or diplomas. The credentials learners earn come from third-party providers like Google (through Coursera), HRCI, or ASCM — not from Merit America.

Merit America is not an accredited educational institution because we are not a school. We are a workforce development nonprofit that partners with recognized third-party providers to deliver training. The specific credential varies by career track: IT Support and Data Analytics learners earn Google Career Certificates through Coursera, HR learners are prepared for the aPHR® certification exam from HRCI, and Supply Chain learners earn a certificate from ASCM.

At Merit America, getting learners into a great career is the goal — the end is what matters. The technical coursework is only part of the equation. Merit America career coaching services provide the structure, accountability, peer community, and employer connections that turn a certificate into an actual career change. Our 75% success rate among alumni with outcome data reflects the difference that guided support makes compared to self-directed learning alone.

Since 2018, Merit America has served over 20,000 learners nationwide. Alumni with outcome data report an average $21,000 annual wage increase, and 75% report a positive career outcome three or more months after completion. Our efforts have generated an estimated $1.4 billion in cumulative wage gains — with a return of $33 in wage gains for every $1 invested. Our work has been recognized by Fast Company and covered by the New York Times, CNBC, and the Wall Street Journal.

Your third-party coursework and Merit America career coaching services are all online. This means you can complete the program from anywhere, fitting sessions around your work schedule and family commitments.

Learners won’t pay anything until at least three months after they complete or exit their program. Learners won’t be charged any interest, late fees, or origination fees. Flexible payment options are available — learners can defer repayment every 3 months for up to 60 months until they are earning the equivalent of at least $40,000 per year. For full details, visit our cost page or contact our admissions team.

We work directly with companies like JPMorgan Chase, Amazon, and IBM to understand their hiring needs and introduce them to Merit America alumni who are ready for entry-level careers in skilled fields. This employer network is a key part of why our program leads to real career outcomes — not just certificates.

For Partners & Supporters