Is 60 Too Old To Go to College? Tips for Going Back to School

If you're an older adult, you've most likely had a significant amount of life and work experience and may even be considering retirement.

On the other hand, maybe you're thinking about going back to school.

But is going back to college at 60 a good idea? Are you too old to be thinking about getting a new degree and changing or advancing your career?

You are not too old to go back to college at 60 or older. It is becoming more and more normal for adults to return to school to earn or complete a degree later in life.

Read on to learn more.

Is 60 Too Old to Go to College?

If you are thinking about going back to school, the good news is that it's never too late to go to college.

Schools do not have age limits for their degree programs; therefore, 60 is not too old to go to college.

Granted, the thought of returning to school at this point in your life may be overwhelming.

You may be concerned about paying for school or about the time you will have to commit to completing your degree.

These are valid concerns, and going back to college as an adult may not be the right choice for everyone.

Only you can decide if going back to school at 60 makes sense for you.

To make that decision, it's a good idea to identify why you are interested in going back to school in the first place.

Why Do Some People Go Back to College at 60?

There are many reasons why people choose to go to college.

By the same token, those in their 60s who are thinking about returning to the classroom may have several reasons for doing so.

Some may be looking for a career change due to retirement or an interest in new pursuits.

Some may have lost jobs due to their age or outdated skills and, thus, are looking for new career opportunities.

Other older adults may get their degrees to stay competitive and lower their chances of being replaced.

In other words, they do it to advance their career or to keep their current position as job requirements change.

Still, others choose to complete their degree to fulfill long-term dreams or goals.

These individuals may have started their degree earlier in life and were unable to finish, or they were unable to start in the first place.

For them, earning a degree gives them a sense of accomplishment.

Finally, some older adults go to college simply because they love to learn.

Some may pursue a degree, while others may audit courses or take non-credit classes, and they do this primarily to keep their mind sharp and learn new skills or information.

Ask yourself: Can you relate to any of these reasons why older adults return to school?

Perhaps you have reasons of your own.

Determining why you want to go to college will help you decide whether it's worth it to you to follow through on these thoughts.

Will 60-Year-Old College Graduates Find a Job?

If you're thinking of going back to school to change jobs or pursue a new career, you may be wondering: what are your chances of getting hired at this stage of your life?

Will a 60-year-old graduate be able to find a job?

It's impossible to guarantee that any college graduate, regardless of age, will find a job.

That said, it may be a little more challenging for older candidates to get hired than for younger candidates.

Workplaces generally prefer to hire younger candidates, especially if you have no experience in a particular field.

But, while it may be challenging to stand out above the younger competition, it's not impossible for candidates in their 60s or beyond to land the job.

It just takes a little more work.

As an older candidate, you have a better idea of what you want in life, and you have likely gained many soft skills through previous work experiences.

And, perhaps more importantly, you have learned a lot through your life experiences, both personal and professional.

If you are 60 and looking for a new job after getting your degree, don't sell yourself short.

You have a lot to bring to the table; the important thing is figuring out how to convince a company that you're the right fit for the job.

You can do this by highlighting professional achievements in your resume, as well as by contacting hiring managers to express interest in a particular job and further communicate your credentials.

You may even want to create a short video or a website that gives hiring managers a glimpse of your personality and accomplishments.

If you are willing to put in the work, you increase your chances of getting hired after getting your degree, no matter what your age is.

Should You Go to College at 60?

As noted above, only you can decide whether to take the plunge and return to college.

Your answer will depend on your unique circumstances, interests, and goals.

But it might help you to know that returning to college at 60 isn't a waste of time, and you likely won't be alone.

Many older adults are returning to college or attending for the first time.

Colleges are interested in creating a diverse learning environment and will be glad for the unique perspectives you bring to the classroom.

Schools in many states even allow older students to take credit and non-credit courses for free or at greatly reduced tuition rates.

Finally, more and more schools are starting to offer flexible online degrees, many of which can be completed on your own time.

These schools are often transfer-friendly, allowing you to bring previous college credit or gain credit for work experience.

Consider Going Back to College Today

With flexible degree options, the potential for reduced tuition costs, and the many benefits of getting a degree, you may just find that going to college at 60 is the perfect decision for you.