Going Back To College In Your 30s: Complete Guide

A college degree can be a gateway to new professional opportunities and increased lifetime earnings.

Some students begin a college degree after graduating from high school but there is an increasing trend of students going back to college as adults.

Going back to college in your 30s presents both challenges and unique advantages. Learn how to find the perfect college program and make the most of a degree in your 30s.

Advantages of Going Back to College in Your 30s

Mature students have several key advantages when returning to college later in life. Continue reading to learn about the benefits of going back to college in your 30s.

Motivation and Autonomy

When students go straight into college after high school they may subconsciously see college as a continuation of their previous educational experience.

Young students who frame their college studies as an extension of grade school are less likely to take control of their own learning process.

Students who go back to college in their 30s may have a stronger feeling of self-determination and autonomy as they direct their studies.

Adult students who have spent time in the workforce often have a high degree of motivation to pursue a degree and advance in their careers.

Confidence

For traditional students, college coincides with leaving home for the first time, starting new routines, and building new social circles.

Young students can sometimes be so concerned with how they are perceived by their peers and classmates that their own learning process is disrupted.

Going back to college in your 30s allows you to bypass many distracting social dynamics and confidently focus on your own objectives.

Life Experience and Perspective

Another great reason to earn a degree later in life is the increased perspective and clarity that life experience provides.

Young students have to choose a major with little career experience or a clear understanding of what different roles look like on a day-to-day level.

Going back to college in your 30s allows you to select a program of study based on a decade of experience in the workplace and a stronger sense of your career aspirations.

Older students may also have a greater appreciation of their financial investment in a college degree and use this knowledge to advocate for themselves.

Relationships with Instructors

Mature students also have the advantage of relating to professors and instructors with more confidence and may find it easier to ask for help or direction.

Adult and professional students see instructors as peers who are there to help them learn and progress.

Instructors will typically appreciate the dedication of mature students and find ways to support their long-term goals.

Selecting a Program

While there are many advantages to going back to college in your 30s, it is still important to select the right program.

Learn more about the challenges adult students face and how to identify a program that will fit your exact situation.

Affordability and Financial Aid

Students going back to college in their 30s often have financial responsibilities such as caring for a family or paying a mortgage.

It is important to find an affordable degree and maximize all sources of financial aid to keep out-of-pocket costs as low as possible.

Make sure to fill out the FAFSA form and speak to each potential program's financial aid team about any available grants and scholarships.

Mature students should explore programs such as the Return2College Scholarship and other sources of funding dedicated to adult learners.

Students in their 30s should explore colleges that offer credit-for-experience programs. Earning college credits for learning you've done on the job can save thousands of dollars on tuition.

Finally, professional students should ask their employers about tuition reimbursement programs. Some employers will help employees pay for certain college degrees.

Scheduling and Flexibility

While going back to college in your 30s has many advantages, scheduling and time constraints are probably the biggest challenges adult students face.

Managing work, family, and other commitments can make traditional classroom schedules difficult for some students in their 30s.

Students with busy schedules can explore flexible online degrees that are designed with the needs of working students in mind.

Many colleges and universities also offer programs with exclusively evening classes and will work to accommodate the needs of professional students.

Maximizing Career Impact

There are many reasons to go back to college in your 30s but career progression is a strong motivation for many students. Learn how to create the maximum impact on your career trajectory.

Career Progression

Many adult students have already gained professional experience in a field and feel that earning a degree in a related area will help them take the next step in their careers.

While the degree requirements will vary by industry, employees in some industries may experience a ceiling on their career progression without a college degree.

Colleges with credit-for-experience or competency-based programs can help these students move quickly through material they are familiar with and be rewarded for their professional skills.

It is also important to consider relevant professional certifications and licenses and look for college programs that build these qualifications into the degree.

Career Change

Changing careers is another common motivation for going back to college in your 30s.

Students who are changing careers will still benefit from the professional skills they've gained in their previous line of work.

Switching careers can be exhilarating and provide a strong motivation to learn completely new skills and ideas.

Students exploring career changes should also be aware of the licensing or certification requirements of the new field and make sure they find a program that will give them strong professional qualifications as they enter a new field.

Find a Degree Today

Going back to college in your 30s can be a great way to jumpstart your career progression. Find a degree that fits your personal situation and begin studying today.