Is 30 Too Old to Get an Education Degree?

Earning a degree in education can open doorways to many career options. Not only could graduates become teachers at various levels, but there are many other career paths as well. This is what makes education a popular degree option among students.

Returning to college, or going for the first time, as an adult can be scary, and it's not uncommon for prospective students to ask questions like, 'Is 30 too old to get an education degree?' Fortunately, you are never too old to pursue a degree, and your 30s is a great decade of life to study education.

Let's breakdown some of the benefits of earning an education degree at 30, as well as some potential career options. We will also provide answers to a few frequently asked questions about studying for an education degree at 30.

Reasons to Earn Your Education Degree at 30

It's not only perfectly okay to earn an education degree at 30; there are also benefits. Explore some of the reasons to earn an education degree at 30 below.

Experience

When entering college straight out of high school, for most, that is one of the biggest experiences they have had in life. However, at 30, you will have experienced much more of what life has to offer, and you will know much more about the world. This experience can be a valuable asset when entering college as an adult.

Not only will it provide a different perspective on completing your degree, but it will help you in your coursework, particularly in a field like education. Teaching is definitely a field in which more life experience translates to being better at your job.

Additionally, many colleges allow adult learners to earn college credit for previous life or work experience. It can be determined if your past experiences are equivalent to college-level learning, and if so, you will have fewer classes to take.

Focus

Alongside experience, those who enter a degree program as an adult also have a greater focus. Think of how different the world appeared at the age of 18, just out of high school. The stereotypical 'college experience' comes with a mountain of distractions that make it harder to focus on completing a degree.

As an adult learner, aged 30 or older, these same distractions aren't present. Older students are attending college with a singular focus: to complete their degree.

Clear Goals

Life experience and focus translate into have a clear goal. You will be entering a degree program with a certainty about where you would like your work to take you and what you wish to do after graduating. This can go a long way towards the drive needed to complete a degree.

What Will I Learn in an Education Degree Program?

An education degree may differ somewhat depending on what kind of degree you are getting. You may get a degree in something like elementary education, special education, science education, etc. In general, you will study things like classroom management, education techniques, instruction, and perhaps child development and more, depending on what age group you will be working with.

What Can I Do With My Education Degree?

Jobs in the field of education have good salaries, and they are growing at a similar rate to the average of other fields. There are many different kinds of positions, some of which require only a bachelor's degree and some that may require additional education. Explore some positions below.

Teacher

Teaching is the most common career path for those who earn a degree in education. There are several different kinds of teaching positions for graduates to pursue, depending upon what age range they would like to work with.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, teaching positions are expected to have steady growth over the next decade, on track with the average. Yearly salary also varies depending upon the kind of teaching position. The median pay for 2023 was over $60,000 for all grade levels.

Instructional Coordinator

Instructional coordinators are responsible for developing the curriculum and standards that will guide teachers in various schooling settings. They are responsible for not only developing and assessing the effectiveness of instructional materials, but also monitoring and evaluating instructors themselves.

Becoming an instructional coordinator will often require the completion of a master's degree in education. The median yearly salary of an instructional coordinator is just under $75,000.

Career Counselor

Career counselors may have different titles and different work environments. School counselors, career counselors, and career advisors all fill similar roles. They work in schools, colleges, universities, at career centers, or in private practice to help people find the right kind of employment for them.

The median salary for school and career counselors and advisors is just over $60,000.

FAQs About Starting an Education Degree at 30

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about starting an education degree at 30.

Are There Benefits to Starting My Education Degree at 30?

Yes, there are benefits to starting your education degree at 30. We expand on some of these benefits above, but they include things like:

• Experience
• Focus
• Clear goals

Can I Complete My Education Degree Online?

Yes, you can complete an education degree online. There are many high-quality online degree programs in education with a variety of concentrations. Students can study elementary education, special education, art education, early childhood development, and more.

At What Age Do Most People Become a Teacher?

The most common age to become a teacher is in your early 20s. However, a large percentage do not become teachers until their 30s, and nearly ten percent begin teaching in their 40s.