5 Tips for Starting College at 25, 30, and Beyond

How old do you have to be to go to college? While it’s common for students to start their college journeys right after high school, at around 18, many students don’t go to college until they’re 25, 30, or older.

There’s nothing wrong with that. However, navigating college at a nontraditional age can be intimidating. You’ll be surrounded by ambitious younger students who may have more energy than you.

Like many nontraditional students, you may be going to college for the first time or are restarting your college journey to finish your program and earn your degree. Nontraditional students tend to go to college to pursue a career or rediscover a passion.

If this describes you, here are some tips to help nontraditional students navigate higher education.

As long as you have the stamina and time, it’s never too late to go to college. In fact, roughly 15% of full-time undergraduate students and 41% of part-time undergraduate students are 25 or older, according to a 2021 report from the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES).

As an adult with more life experience than traditional students, you can use that experience to help you excel in college. You may have a more mature perspective on many aspects of college.

However, it’s important to consider your circumstances, such as whether you can manage your other responsibilities while in school and how much you can afford to pay in student loans after you graduate.

You may also consider whether you’re eligible for grants and scholarships that can reduce the cost of tuition.

Do you plan to start college later than most students? Maybe you’re returning to school after a break? Our five tips can help you navigate college as a nontraditional student.

By creating clear goals, you can make higher education an easier place to navigate and a rich source of growth.

Ask yourself: What do you hope to accomplish? Do you want to find a specific career after graduation, or do you want to go to graduate school?

Even if you’re in school solely to pursue an interest, it’s important to set realistic, manageable goals so you get the most out of your education.

College is hard. Whether you want to meet new people at school or you plan to rely on your current network of family, friends, and colleagues, it’s crucial to have a support network.

There are various campus resources that will help you find networking and community-building opportunities.

You can connect with fellow students and professors in class and seek out mentorship programs on campus. You can also join campus clubs or organizations and attend campus events.

As a nontraditional student, you’ll have life experience you can use to your advantage, such as work experience. If you’re employed, you can talk to your employer about tuition reimbursement.

You can also save money (and time) by earning credit for life and work experience. For example, you may get credit for military service or through a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).

Your life or work experience may have given you advanced time management or problem-solving skills, which you can use in the classroom.

You can use your maturity to help you build key relationships with professors, and these professionals can write recommendation letters and otherwise support your educational journey.

Colleges and universities across the country have a collection of student services you can access at no additional cost. These resources include disability services, tutoring, tech support, academic and financial aid advisors, and mental health services.

You may also look for an adult learner office or resource center, such as Bowling Green State’s Nontraditional and Military Student Services or Penn State’s Commission for Adult Learners.

Campus support services are prepared to help nontraditional students like you adjust to new academic environments.

In this tech-driven age, you’ll have plenty of online and hybrid options to choose from.

Online and hybrid programs allow you to learn remotely so you can manage your other adult responsibilities, such as family and career obligations. You may never even have to go to campus.

While you’re researching programs, look for asynchronous coursework, which allows you to study in your own time and space rather than attending live classes at scheduled times.