postsecondary

American  

[pohst-sek-uhn-der-ee] / ˈpoʊstˈsɛk ənˌdɛr i /

Or post-secondary

adjective

1. of or relating to education beyond high school.

   She completed her postsecondary education at a two-year college.

   Students can begin coursework in aircraft maintenance at the high school level and complete it at a post-secondary institution.

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Etymology

Origin of postsecondary

First recorded in 1920–25; post- ( def. ) + secondary ( def. )

Example Sentences

Recent analysis of postsecondary enrollment trends finds exactly this: The institutions losing students are concentrated among the lowest-value-add colleges.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Right now, federal spending on postsecondary workforce development — which totaled $28.2 billion last year — is largely detached from measurable results.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026

Many students pursue postsecondary education to advance their trade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

“We’ve seen an exponential rise in college tuition and fees over the past two decades that has caused folks to think of whether a postsecondary education is worth it,” Itzkowitz said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2025

Just three and a half months ago, my Administration and the Congress successfully concluded over two years of work on a major reauthorization bill that further expands benefits to postsecondary education.

From State of the Union Address by Carter, Jimmy