Thinking of Pursuing a Degree as an Adult? Start Here

Unless you’ve just graduated, it’s safe to say that the workplace looks very different from when you were fresh out of school. Suddenly, all your familiar software has fancy artificial intelligence (AI) features, and your boss won’t stop talking about data analytics. And, of course, your responsibilities have slowly grown, stretching your skills more and more.

Going back to school can help you adapt to these changes and grow professionally. Or it could give you the push you need to finally switch to a new career path — bye-bye, current job, hello, future success.

Of course, you’ve already got a lot on your plate. So, is pursuing a degree really worth it — especially if you’ve been out of school for a while? Absolutely! Here are a few reasons to continue your college education, no matter your age.

Is It Too Late To Earn a Degree?

It’s natural to wonder if you’re a little, well… old for college. You might cringe at the thought of being the only adult learner in a room full of 18-year-olds (surrounded by Gen Z slang — the horrors). Or maybe you’re afraid that your study skills are too rusty to earn good grades.

Banish those fears from your mind. There are plenty of nontraditional students currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree or higher. In fact, adult learners over the age of 25 make up nearly one-third of college students, so you definitely won’t be alone.

Plus, many colleges go the extra mile to support adult learners. For example, CityU has offered education for nontraditional students for over 50 years. Our programs will help you meet your career goals while juggling childcare, doctor’s appointments, and whatever else life throws at you.

What Are the Real Benefits of Pursuing a Degree as an Adult?

Adult learners are returning to school for everything from associate degrees to doctorates. Here are some of the top reasons to continue your education.

1. Unlock Better Job Opportunities and Promotions

You might not realize it, but your education level might be holding you back from your dream career (or just a higher salary). By 2031, just 28% of jobs in the United States will be open to people with only a high school diploma or less.

Okay, but maybe you already have a degree. Going back to school could still open new career paths. Say you’re a registered nurse, for instance. A master’s degree could help you advance to a nurse practitioner — bumping up the median pay from $93,000 to $132,000.

Plus, going back to school shows your ambition and work ethic. Your employer might feel impressed by your sense of initiative and give you a coveted promotion.

2. Earn More Over a Lifetime

A college degree could be the key to boosting your future earnings. Here are the median earnings per week by degree level, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics:

High school diploma – $930
Bachelor’s degree – $1,543
Master’s degree – $1,840
Doctoral degree – $2,278

As these statistics demonstrate, employers are often willing to pay more for people who have put in the effort to earn an advanced degree — and the knowledge and skills that come with it.

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3. Gain Skills You Can Use Immediately

Of course, the importance of college isn’t just about getting ready for your future jobs. Upskilling for your current role is another long-term benefit. You might learn about an AI content creation tool in class, then experiment with using it to write reports the next day.

A World Economic Forum (WEF) survey found that “employers expect 39% of workers’ core skills to change by 2030.” Many of these shifts are already happening — just look at all the people using data analytics at work.

Going back to college can help you stay ahead by learning “skills on the rise,” which, according to the WEF report, include:

AI and big data
Networks and cybersecurity
Technological literacy
Creative thinking
Resilience and agility

4. Lay the Foundation for a New Career (or a Promotion)

Continuing your education could help prepare you for a career change at 40, 50, or beyond. After all, there’s no age limit on professional development.

Suppose you’ve worked in finance for the last decade, but you’re ready to trade your spreadsheets in for more human interaction. Pursuing a master’s degree in counseling or social work could be just what you need to kiss your calculator goodbye and make a career pivot.

How Practical Is It to Go Back to School as an Adult?

As a nontraditional learner, you might not have the freedom to head to campus multiple times a week. Maybe you work a 9-to-5, or you need to get your kids on the bus, or your spouse needs the car — or all of the above.

CityU offers flexible delivery formats to help you balance school with everything else you’ve got going on. For example, you might take a few classes in-person so you can network with peers, but you may prefer to take the rest online so you don’t have to rush to campus after work.

Many colleges also offer evening and weekend options for busy professionals. Asynchronous classes and mobile learning platforms can also help you finish your degree online — without sacrificing your educational experience.

What Support is Available for Adult Students?

College can be stressful, no matter how old you are, but you’re never alone. There are plenty of resources to help you sail through your educational journey.

CityU offers personalized guidance for adult learners. Our staff can help with everything from understanding tuition costs — “what’s a lab fee?” — to registering for classes.

Plus, schools often have career coaching and resources for job searches. At CityU, students can get one-on-one help from the Career Center.

Our faculty are also here to mentor you. For example, if you’re currently pursuing a master’s degree, you could ask a trusted professor for resume tips. Creating job materials is an art form, after all. Or they could recommend doctoral programs that would fit your research interests.

And don’t let the thought of paying tuition scare you off. CityU offers scholarships for students from diverse backgrounds, people transferring from community colleges in Washington state, and more. These awards can help reduce the cost of college, so you have one less thing to stress about.

Keep Growing: Pathways to Master’s and Doctoral Degrees

A line graph. Data science is one of the fields CityU offers graduate degrees in.

Maybe you’re itching to get back into the classroom and deepen your expertise. CityU is the perfect place to jumpstart your graduate future.

Here are just a few of our master’s and doctoral programs:

These degrees are designed to prepare you for the careers of today and tomorrow. You’ll learn in-demand skills in your field, whether that’s how to build AI algorithms or cutting-edge counseling techniques. And, of course, you can also make lifelong connections with your peers (a.k.a. future colleagues), faculty, and alumni.

Check out the full list of CityU program options to see where your educational journey can take you next.

How to Get Started at CityU

Returning to college might seem scary, but it’s an investment in yourself — one that you’re never too old to make. At CityU, we’ve got the support and resources you need to thrive while pursuing your degree.

Do you already have college credits from another college or CityU? Our degree completion program can help you get back on track and leapfrog those final hurdles to graduation. Or, if you’re starting fresh, we’ve got degrees for all education levels. No matter which path you take, you’ll get friendly support at every step.

Ready to level up your education? Fill out a request for information form or learn more about our simple application today.

Reviewed by Daria Lall, Senior Academic Advisor at CityU of Seattle.