Adult Learners in Higher Education: Facts & Statistics About Older College Students

Each year, millions of adults ages 25 and over choose to enroll in college. These students are commonly known as adult learners. However, in this report, we’ll often refer to this group as older learners or older college students. After all, traditionally-aged students 18-24 are also adults.

The widespread availability of online colleges can help working adults balance earning a degree with the responsibilities of everyday life. Still, older learners tend to face unique challenges while pursuing their degrees as they juggle outside responsibilities that leave them with limited financial resources to pay for schooling and even less time to sit in class.

In this report, we cover who makes up today’s older learners, the most pressing challenges they face, and the Title IX protections in place to help them thrive.

During the fall 2023 academic term, nearly 3.9 million students were undergraduate adult learners, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). They accounted for 24% of the undergraduate population that year.

According to census data from the same year, the majority of older learners who enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program were also white (65%). However, white adult learners accounted for a smaller percentage of all white college degree seekers than Black and Asian adult learners.

A 2024 Brookings Institute analysis revealed that the share of college graduates who earned their degree after the age of 30 has remained relatively steady among various groups of 50-year-olds over time. Roughly 17.5% of all 50-year-olds born in 1950, 1960, and 1970 attained their degrees later in life.

Older learners are significantly more likely than their traditionally-aged peers to be employed full or part time while pursuing their degrees. They are additionally more likely to be parents or caregivers while in school.

In 2022, an average of 58% of full-time undergraduate adult learners and 79% of part-time undergraduate adult learners were employed either full time or part time.

Among older learners who enrolled during the spring 2020 academic term, about 48% reported having dependent children. By comparison, only about 3% of traditionally-aged students (aged 18-24) reported the same.

These added responsibilities often leave many older learners with limited financial resources for schooling and little time for classes.

A 2023 Generation Hope survey of 65 student-parents attending 19 colleges and universities throughout the District of Columbia region found that 82% had an annual household income below $30,000 — the federal poverty level for a family of four. Despite low wages, more than half of respondents (55%) were working more than 20 hours a week while attending school, and more than one-third (37%) reported that they were caring for more than one child while studying.

Under Title IX, students who are pregnant or parenting are protected by law against discrimination and harassment from other students, faculty, and staff on college campuses.^{Note Reference [5]}

If you are pregnant, your school must allow for excused absences or medical leave related to your pregnancy or childbirth. They must also allow you to return to the same academic status you held prior to any medical leave you take. This includes giving you opportunities to complete any work you may have missed while out.

Though you can speak with each of your professors individually about your pregnancy or parenting status, the best way to ensure your rights are protected is to sit down with your school’s Title IX coordinator. Inform them of your pregnancy, keep a record of any pregnancy-related absences and instances of harassment or discrimination, and immediately report instances of discriminatory treatment.