Is It Too Late To Go to College at 36?
Age is just a number when it comes to higher education. Learn why 36 isn't too late for college and the best ways to pursue higher learning in your 30s.
Despite common conceptions of college coming immediately after high school, it's never too late for college.
People in their 30s often return to college with reasons ranging from finishing a degree started years before to wanting a fresh start in a new career.
Some are trying to get a degree for the first time.
With the rise in available online education options, it's never been easier to pursue a degree.
Reasons People Think 36 Is Too Late for College
As people age, especially outside of their early 20s, there are many different reasons that it seems like college has passed them by.
Even though many of these reasons are valid, sometimes potential students don't realize how easy it is to find solutions to earning a degree.
Discover Accredited Online Programs
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Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you reach them. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you.
University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland Global Campus provides affordable, achievable, and flexible pathways to a college degree for adult learners. With over 90 degrees and certificates, UMGC is built to fit your schedule and goals.
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina offers a wide range of online programs designed for working adults. Earn your degree from a nationally recognized institution with flexible scheduling and strong academic support.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers more than 300 online degree programs, certificates and courses. ASU Online delivers the same rigorous academic programs as on campus, with the flexibility you need to succeed.
Age
We've all heard the adage that you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but luckily people can learn at any age.
Concerns about starting (or restarting) learning at an older age aren't the only reason that people might let age prevent them from earning a degree.
People in their 30s might be deterred by the thought of sharing a classroom with teenagers or twenty-somethings.
Gaps in life experience, social status, and more are all enhanced by an age gap, especially one of over 10 years.
Although these are valid reasons that someone might hesitate to enroll in college, online classes provide a more personalized educational experience that can help reduce any age-related gaps.
Work
Most people who go to college go directly after high school and might have a part-time job or work summers, but younger college students are rarely entrenched in a career.
36 isn't too late for college, even if you're in a career. In the past, many people took night classes to fit education around their full-time jobs.
Pursuing a degree online provides a more flexible schedule, making it easier to fit in classwork while working.
More and more employers offer compensation to help encourage their employees to attend college.
Cost
The cost of college continues to go up, which is a growing deterrent for students of all ages.
People asking if 36 is too late for college often have different financial burdens than a person freshly out of high school.
Tuition costs go towards costs associated with running a college campus, many of which are eliminated by online colleges.
Although accredited online colleges will still charge students, the costs are often much lower than traditional colleges.
Family
Even with a family, 36 isn't too late for school. Balancing a full- or part-time credit load with raising children is a tricky task.
Taking classes online allows you to perform necessary schoolwork when you have time, instead of having to make time.
Online education is a great option for parents because of the flexibility that comes with completing tasks from home as opposed to having to commute or live on campus.
Health Concerns
For people with disabilities, college can present accessibility concerns.
Online classes, especially for people with disabilities in their 30s, make it easier to participate in education without some of the physical drawbacks of on-site learning.
Being Too Busy
Family and jobs aren't the only scheduling concerns that can prevent people from attending college.
Finding self-paced online college courses makes getting an online degree more attainable for people who have a lot going on and can't regularly make scheduled classes or hit semester-based deadlines.
Why 36 Isn't Too Late for College
Concerns like tuition costs, finding childcare, inflexible work schedules and more need to be considered, the benefits of earning a college degree are worth finding the right college solution for you.
Whether you choose a more traditional path in a brick-and-mortar university or a more flexible, affordable, and personalized online college, 36 isn't too late for college.
For most people in their 30s, online education provides the benefits of education without some of the common drawbacks of traditional college education.
Advantages of Online College for People in Their 30s
No one is ever too old for college, but some education paths will be better for others.
If you think 36 is too late for college, consider some of the benefits of online learning:
- Flexibility in scheduling and course loads
- Lower average tuition rates compared to private and public universities
- More personalized learning plans
- No commute or need to live on campus
- Professional development that can lead to career advancement
- Access to all four main types of degrees across a wide array of subjects
Find The Right College for You
36 isn't too late for college, but you need to find the right college for your needs.
Start by identifying your goal for enrolling in college, figuring out what degree you'd like to earn, and then start researching colleges that meet your needs.
