Is 58 Too Old To Go to College? Why You Should Go Back to School

So, you're 58 and at a transition point in your career. Maybe you're hoping to move up in your field or start over in a new one, and you're planning to go back to school to assist with the change. But you're wondering: Is 58 too old to go to college?

No, 58 is not too old to go to college. It's never too late to start college. If you are in your 50s, most of your classmates will be younger than you, but some may be older.

If you know why you want to go to college and it's worth the investment to you, then you should not let your age stop you. Keep reading to learn more.

Can you Start College at 58?

Many individuals above the 'traditional age' for college students wonder if 58 is too old to go to college. You are not alone in your concerns.

However, research has shown a growing trend among older students returning to school. While the traditional age for first-time college students is the late teens and early 20s, more students are entering college in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and even 60s.

In some cases, new or returning college students may be even older. Since schools don't have age limits, more and more older adults are returning to school for a variety of reasons.

It's true that older students may face unique challenges in their academic experience, such as difficulty learning or retaining new information, they often make up for these challenges by studying harder and being more focused.

So, if you're worried you're too old for college, you can lay these fears to rest. The better question to be asking yourself is why you want to go to college and whether or not you can justify the investment.

Reasons to Go to College Later in Life

Let's take a closer look at some of the reasons you, as an older student, might have for wanting to return to school. Consider each of these reasons carefully as you contemplate your decision.

To Change Careers

Many adult students go back to college because they want to move into a new career field. Perhaps they are unhappy with their current job, have been forced to retire from it, or have been replaced by a younger job candidate.

While it is still possible to move into a new career in your 50s, it is going to be challenging because you will have to compete against candidates who are much younger than you.

Still, if you have a passion for the career path you choose, you may have what it takes to overcome the challenges and forge your new career.

To Improve Job Prospects

Maybe you're not looking to change jobs; perhaps you want to advance in your current career. You'd like to pursue a salary increase or a promotion, or maybe you just want to sharpen your skills to stay competitive with all the younger candidates entering your field.

Getting a degree can be extremely helpful in terms of keeping you in a job and improving your overall job prospects. This is because, in general, holding at least a bachelor's degree causes you to be seen as a more valuable employee.

For Personal Satisfaction

Many older adults return to school for personal reasons. If you started a degree program when you were younger, for example, but were unable to finish, you might feel a sense of accomplishment in going back to school and finishing your degree when you are older.

Getting your degree may have added benefits such as career improvement and salary increase, but for you, the main benefit will be the feeling of satisfaction and confidence you have from doing what it takes to finish school.

To Explore an Interest

Perhaps, when you were younger, your focus was on building a career and earning money. Now that you are financially stable, you want to learn more about something that has always interested you.

Getting a degree is a time-consuming and expensive way to explore an interest, but you can certainly do it if you want to. Alternatively, you could take individual college courses to learn about your interests, as these don't cost as much or require as much of a time commitment.

To Keep Busy

If you're 58, chances are you're still working and may have a lot of family and personal commitments. On the other hand, if you worked in a profession where you had to retire early, you may find yourself with a lot of time on your hands.

In this case, going to college will give you something to do. You can choose to enroll in a degree program for an extra challenge, or simply enroll in a few classes that you're interested in to keep your mind sharp and yourself engaged.

Will a 58-Year-Old College Graduate Find a Job?

As noted above, it can be challenging to forge a new career in your 50s. It is not impossible, but you may have to do a lot of extra work to convince employers to hire you.

Even if you have a degree in your chosen field, you'll have to remember that you're competing with younger candidates, who can offer more longevity to any position than you can.

Your best chance of landing a new job is to focus on any transferable skills you've gained through your work experience and show prospective employers how these skills make you a good fit for the job.

You'll also want to highlight previous accolades or recognition you've received as an employee, regardless of the field you previously worked in. This will help to show employers that you are a good asset to any team.

If you're not planning to change careers but are hoping to find an advanced position with a new company, your chances of getting hired at your age will be better. That said, you should still be willing to make a strong case for yourself to employers.

Be confident in yourself, your skills, and your work history. If you can convince an employer that you're the best fit for the job, then getting hired at 58 will be a little easier.

Consider Starting College Today

Is 58 too old to go to college? Going back to college may be a good choice, and you are not too old to get started. It's more important to determine whether going to college at this age is likely to pay off for you personally or professionally.