1 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). Earnings and unemployment rates by educational attainment, 2023. Employment Projections.
Approved and verified accurate by the assistant vice president of GCU marketing on Oct. 14, 2024.
06/23/2025
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We're here to help.
Earning a degree — whether it’s your first or your third — can offer benefits for your resume. But, can you go to college at any age? Absolutely! It’s never too late to tackle a new challenge.
The question of how to go back to school as an adult might seem overwhelming at first. If you do not know where to begin, what degree to get or how to go back, here are some tips to help you get started.
There are many compelling reasons why you may consider how to go to college as an adult. Many people may decide to enroll in college because they want to add to their career qualifications and position themselves to pursue a potential salary increase.
As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) points out, “Education pays.” The BLS notes that as of 2023, the median weekly earnings for a high school graduate total $899.1 In contrast, the median weekly earnings for an individual with a bachelor’s degree total $1,493. The median weekly earnings for those with graduate degrees are even higher.1
Others aim to develop new skills that can lead to taking on new and challenging responsibilities in the workplace. For example, they might want to pursue a promotion.
Another possibility is to use a degree as a springboard to transition to a new type of career. Furthermore, a college education may help you decide where your passion lies or point you in the direction of a job you truly love.
Still, others pursue a college degree as an adult because they genuinely enjoy the process of education. Depending on the degree you choose, other motivations for enrolling in college might include:
Now, it’s time to consider exactly how to go back to school as an adult. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Figuring out what you should go back to school for is the first step on your path to college as an adult. You’ll need to take plenty of time to figure out what your goals are for your education. Once you know your goals, you can more easily figure out which degree would suit you best.
For example, if you want to transition to a new career field, you’ll want to earn a degree in that specific field. If you aim to position yourself to potentially seek a promotion in your current field, you’ll want to look for a degree that’s relevant to the position you seek.
There are many schools to choose from, but not all of them are the right fit for every student. You’ll want to think carefully about your options. Of course, the number one question is whether the school you’re considering offers the degree you want.
Other factors to consider might include:
If you are working a full-time job and don’t know how to make the time to go back to school, you have a few different options. There are a variety of modalities specifically meant to support the learning needs of different students.
For adult learners, online and evening classes can be good options.
Taking online classes can be a convenient option for adult learners. It provides geographic flexibility, meaning that you won’t have to relocate near campus. Plus, you won’t have to worry about commuting to campus.
Online degree programs can allow you to work around your schedule as needed. Synchronous online classes take place in real time, whereas asynchronous online lectures can be watched whenever the learner wishes. Online programs still offer a sense of community through online classrooms, as well as access to many of the traditional resources, such as school libraries, academic counselors, tech support and more.
If you learn better in person and want to spend some time on campus, you can always take evening classes. Head over to campus after work and spend a couple of hours in the classroom to learn from a professor face to face. This can be a great option for those who work during the day but do not wish to take their coursework fully online.
Your ideal degree level is another factor to consider when exploring how to go to college as an adult. Choose from the following:
A bachelor’s degree is designed for students with a high school diploma or a GED. However, the curriculum is far more comprehensive and in-depth than that of an associate degree. This degree may qualify you to pursue entry-level or early career jobs.
A master’s degree is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree. It is the first level of graduate degrees. You may wish to earn a master’s degree if you plan on positioning yourself to potentially pursue managerial positions or other advanced roles.
Popular career fields to earn a master's in include business, education, healthcare and STEM.
Another graduate degree option is the doctoral degree. You may have to earn a master’s degree before applying to a doctoral program, but this is not always the case, so it’s important to first research your university’s admission requirements. This degree signifies the highest level of mastery in a specific subject, which is why it’s known as a terminal degree.
Having a good support system is important when going back to school — it’s helpful to have people on your side. Some people who may be important when it comes to supporting you in your new journey include:
Once you know which school you want to attend, you can begin the application process. At Grand Canyon University, prospective students apply online — and there is no application fee.
If you have prior college credits, get in touch with a university counselor to determine how many of your credits may transfer to your chosen degree program. Being able to transfer credits may reduce the amount of classes you’ll need to take to graduate.
If you’re applying to a bachelor’s program, you’ll need to submit your official high school transcripts (contact your high school counselor for assistance). If your GPA falls short of the admission requirements, you may be asked to submit SAT or ACT test scores. Otherwise, no test scores are needed.
Are you eager to explore the benefits of a Christian education? We invite you to apply to a bachelor’s degree program online or on campus. We offer a wide range of degrees across different fields — from business and management to technology and healthcare and many more. Fill out the form on this page to get started today.
