Is 29 Too Late To Start College?

If you or someone you know is interested in starting a college degree at the age of 29, you may be wondering, is 29 too old for college?

The short answer is no, it's never too late to start college. While a traditional route to earning a degree may not be as practical for older students, there are many ways to earn a degree as a mature student.

Online degrees are becoming more popular and these programs often allow students to study at their own pace. Balancing work and family commitments with an online degree is a great way to start college at the age of 29.

Why You Should Start College at 29

There are many benefits to starting college at the age of 29. Here we will break down the positives of starting a degree over 10 years after high school.

You Already Have Work Experience

Many 29-year-olds already have a good amount of work experience. Understanding the real-life application of your studies can be a great benefit to yourself and your classmates.

Having a few years of experience working in specific industries can give you greater clarity on whether you enjoy that kind of job or whether you want to pivot and try something new.

You Have Greater Maturity

Starting college at 29 also means you've had life experience and have greater maturity than the average college freshman. You will likely have experience balancing your workload and will be able to make time for studying in your busy schedule.

Qualify for Leadership Positions

As a college graduate, you will be more likely to qualify for leadership positions if you already have years of experience compared to the average 22-year-old college graduate.

Earning a degree is a great way to show employers you are dedicated to your development and are eager to become a manager or a leader in your workplace.

Develop New Skills

Adult students will most likely have some experience in the workplace and be able to understand the benefits of learning new skills.

A college degree can help develop valuable job skills such as professional writing and speaking, data analysis, critical thinking, strategic decision-making, and conflict resolution.

Adult graduates of college degree programs will have the context to understand how their new skills will apply in job settings and be able to market themselves effectively in the job market.

Benefits of Online Degrees for Mature Students

Many colleges now offer online degrees for non-traditional students. This can look like a 100% online program, a hybrid class schedule, or even in-person classes that are held in the evening.

There are many benefits to earning a degree online. Students wondering whether 29 is too old for college can rest assured that online degrees are a great choice for mature students.

Study at Your Own Pace

Online programs offer asynchronous courses, meaning that you can watch lectures at any time and pause them when you need to. There will often be deadlines built into the class structure, but you can complete your coursework any time of day that works for you.

As an online student, you can also decide how many credits to enroll in at one time. Enrolling as a part-time student is a great way to work toward your degree at a reasonable pace.

Balance Work and Life Commitments

Online degrees help mature students maintain a healthy balance between all of their commitments. If there are particularly busy times of the year, students can choose to take fewer credits that semester. Similarly, when they have greater availability they can enroll in more courses to work through the degree requirements faster.

Financial Advantages

Older students also have the advantage of avoiding costly aspects of the traditional college experience.

Young students often spend large amounts of money on room and board without recognizing the financial burden they are taking on.

Adult students are more likely to have established a living arrangement and pay the minimum tuition fee.

Earn Your Degree Faster

Modern distance learning programs often offer accelerated learning formats that are perfect for adult students looking to complete degrees quickly.

Adult students should also consider programs that have flexible transfer policies and credit-for-experience programs.

Credit-for-experience programs allow students to receive valuable college credits for non-traditional learning experiences such as skills gained in a job setting. Adult students should explore the many ways they can now complete their degrees at an accelerated rate.

Find a Degree Program Today

Is 29 too old for college? Definitely not! Students at any age can learn valuable new skills and change their futures. Let Learn.org help you find a perfect degree program and start learning right away.