Returning to college can be equal parts exciting and daunting. Whether you’re looking to take your career in a new direction or finish earning your degree, there’s a lot to plan for, including your course of study, applying to schools, and paying for college.
Adult learners — students who are age 25 or older — represent a significant share of college students across the U.S. To help navigate the process, this guide will walk you through how to go back to school as an adult.
Key Points
• Adult learners, aged 25+, form a significant portion of college students. They may be seeking career advancement, new skills, or personal growth.
• Identifying a degree or major that aligns with career goals is important, along with researching schools and financial aid.
• Full-time vs. part-time enrollment should be considered based on personal responsibilities and career aspirations.
• Applying for financial aid, including scholarships, grants, and loans, can help manage education costs.
• Evaluating schools’ transfer credit policies and considering online education can offer flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Reasons for Adults Going Back to School
If you’re thinking, “I want to go back to school,” it’s important to figure out the reason to help narrow your search for degree programs and get an idea of what college might cost.
Going back to school at 25 or older is increasingly common, whether to achieve personal goals, develop new skills, or improve job prospects. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, about 2 million undergraduates aged 25 and older were enrolled at four-year institutions during the spring 2024 semester.
Those considering going back to school as an adult for a master’s or doctoral degree, will find plenty of like-minded students. There were more than 1.3 million graduate students aged 30 and older enrolled across the U.S. in 2024.
If you’re worried about what returning to school will cost, especially if you’re already in the process of repaying student loans from your first time around, getting your degree may enable you to earn a higher salary. Not only that, there are ways to manage your student loans, including student loan refinancing, which could help you get a lower interest rate if you qualify, thus lowering your monthly payments.
Here are a few top reasons why adults might decide to go back to school.
1. Career Advancement
Adults who are in the workforce might consider returning to school to learn in-demand skills or attain credentials to help advance in their current field or at their company. Some employers may even help cover the cost of tuition as an employee benefit. Check with your HR department.
If you’re planning to go back to school to improve your career prospects, consider how a degree program is valued at your employer and within the field more broadly.
2. Higher Salary
A higher education is correlated with a higher salary. Most of the highest-paying jobs in the U.S. require at least a bachelor’s degree. Going back to finish your degree or earn an advanced degree could help you make significantly more in the long run.
In the third quarter of 2024, median weekly earnings were $946 for high school graduates, as compared to $1,533 for those with a bachelor’s degree and $1,916 for advanced degree holders.
Going to trade school as an adult can also pay off. There are numerous high-paying vocational jobs for those who have proper training and certification.
3. Changing Careers
Perhaps your current job isn’t panning out the way you’d hoped, or there’s another career path you feel passionate about. Going back to school could be a wise move to transition to a career in a different field or sector.
Consider the level of education required for your chosen new profession, plus how your prior education or work experience can be leveraged to help you along the way.
How to Go Back to School as an Adult
Going back to school is a major decision, so you’re not alone if you’re wondering, “I want to go back to school, where do I start?” After figuring out your goals and reasons for returning, you’ll need to delve into the details of what and where you’ll study, plus how you’ll cover the cost of college.
These five steps can help you get started.
1. Identify the Degree or Major That Fits Your Needs
Are you going to college for the first time, resuming your studies after a hiatus, or returning for another degree? If you’re resuming your studies, you might choose to pick up where you left off or try a new major or school that better fits your needs.
Those going back for a second bachelor’s or a master’s degree have plenty of options to consider. By doing research and speaking with other professionals in your field, you can begin to refine your search for majors and degree programs that connect with your career aspirations.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree and are looking to acquire new skills or gain expertise in a related field, consider how a post-graduate certificate program aligns with your goals. These programs are designed to provide specialized knowledge in a field in less time than a graduate degree program.
2. Research and Compare Schools
There are many factors that go into selecting a school. Besides having your chosen major or degree program, you may want to factor in the cost of attendance, college rankings, and job prospects for graduates.
If you’ll be transferring colleges, it’s important to evaluate schools’ policies for transfer credits. Even if you’ve been out of school for several years, it may be possible to transfer credits, saving time and money toward your degree.
Adult learners might be especially interested in online college for its flexibility and potentially lower cost. However, these benefits should be weighed against potential drawbacks, such as limited networking and hands-on learning opportunities.
Recommended: Refinancing Student Loans to Save Money
3. Consider Your Schedule
Depending on your personal situation, you may be weighing going back to school as a full-time vs. part-time student.
Studying part-time may be more feasible for those who plan to keep working or need to balance school with other responsibilities. However, enrolling full-time could put you on a faster path to your educational goals, though it may entail leaving your job or taking a sabbatical.
If you’re interested in part-time enrollment, check with an academic advisor or the school’s admissions office to confirm it’s an option for students in that program.
4. Apply for Admission
Once you’ve narrowed down the list of schools and programs to those that best align with your education goals, it’s time to start submitting applications.
Application deadlines vary between schools, so compiling a list of due dates as you research colleges can help streamline the process. Preparing your application materials in advance, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and test scores, if needed, can also help you stay organized and on track for application deadlines.
If you’ve missed the deadline for the next semester, keep in mind that some programs may allow students to start during the spring semester, or even a summer or winter session.
Recommended: Student Loan Refinancing Guide
5. Apply for Financial Aid
If you’re wondering how to pay for college as an adult learner, there are multiple forms of financial aid you may be eligible for, including scholarships, grants, federal student loans from the government, and private student loans from private lenders like banks, credit unions, and online lenders.
To receive federal financial aid, you’ll need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as the FAFSA. After submitting the FAFSA, you may qualify for federal Direct Subsidized loans, Direct Unsubsidized loans, or Direct PLUS loans. These loans have fixed interest rates and come with federal benefits such as income-driven repayment plans and deferment options.
Completing the FAFSA is typically required to be eligible for other types of financial aid as well, including private scholarships, school-based aid, and state assistance. When browsing scholarships and state assistance programs, take note of eligibility requirements and submission deadlines to help inform which opportunities you apply for and when.
After you’ve tapped into all the federal aid options available, you have the option to fill any funding gaps with private student loans. These loans require a credit check — typically, the stronger your credit, the lower the interest rate you may get. And remember that you can always refinance private student loans later on to try to get a lower interest rate or more favorable terms. Our student loan refinance calculator can help you see what you might save by refinancing.
The Takeaway
It’s never too late to go back to school and achieve your educational and professional goals. Having a concrete plan can help ensure adult learners get the most out of the time and money they invest in going back to school. There are multiple factors to consider, including a school’s academic reputation, course schedules, online vs. in-person learning, and financial aid.
If you have existing student loans, you might consider student loan refinancing to potentially reduce your payments, which could make it more affordable to go back to school. Just be aware that refinancing federal student loans makes them ineligible for federal programs and protections.
Looking to lower your monthly student loan payment? Refinancing may be one way to do it — by extending your loan term, getting a lower interest rate than what you currently have, or both. (Please note that refinancing federal loans makes them ineligible for federal forgiveness and protections. Also, lengthening your loan term may mean paying more in interest over the life of the loan.) SoFi student loan refinancing offers flexible terms that fit your budget.
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