If you’re considering going back to school as an adult, the question “Is college worth it?” can feel a little different.
You may already have a career, a family, financial responsibilities, and a schedule that doesn’t leave much room for anything else. Going back to school isn’t simply a question of choosing a college. It may mean deciding whether another credential can help you reach your goals — and whether earning it can realistically fit into the life you already have.
Those are important questions to ask.
A recent Kent State University Making the Case for Higher Education story takes a closer look at the value of higher education and the data behind it. For adult learners, that conversation also presents an opportunity to think differently about what makes an education “worth it.”
The Value of Education Is About More Than One Path
There is no single educational path that makes sense for everyone.
Kent State offers educational opportunities ranging from certificates and associate degrees to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, both in person and online. That range matters because the right next step depends on where you are now and where you want to go.
For one person, that might mean completing a bachelor’s degree they started years ago. For another, it could mean earning a graduate degree to deepen their expertise. Someone else may need a certificate that helps them develop specialized knowledge in a particular field.
Rather than asking whether college in the broadest sense is worth it, a more useful question may be:
What type of education makes sense for my goals?
Consider the Long-Term Value
Cost is understandably part of the decision to return to school, but it is also important to consider education as a long-term investment.
Kent State’s Making the Case for Higher Education series points to a $1.2 million difference in lifetime earnings between someone with a bachelor’s degree and someone with only a high school education.
Earnings, however, are only one way to think about value.
Depending on your goals, continuing your education may help you develop new knowledge and skills, prepare for a career change, deepen your expertise in your current field, or qualify for opportunities that require a particular credential.
The value of education can also be personal. Finishing something you started, exploring a field you care about, or demonstrating to yourself that you can achieve a long-held goal may matter just as much.
For Adult Learners, Flexibility Is Part of the Equation
For many adults, the question isn’t simply Can I go back to school?
It’s:
Can I go back to school without putting the rest of my life on hold?
That’s where flexible learning options can make a difference.
Online education can allow students to pursue a credential while continuing to manage work, family, and other responsibilities. Instead of relocating or building your life around a campus schedule, you can look for an educational option designed to fit more naturally alongside the commitments you already have.
That flexibility does not mean online education is easier. It means students have another way to access the same kind of academic opportunity while determining when and where learning fits into their lives.
Going Back to School Doesn’t Have an Age Limit
Adult learners sometimes wonder whether they have waited too long to return.
There is no single timeline for earning a degree.
Kent State’s original story highlights Becky Lehman, who enrolled at Kent State in her 30s while raising a family. After earning her public health degree, she began working for the Portage County Health District, later returned to Kent State for a master’s degree in public administration, and eventually became the county’s health commissioner.
Her story is one example of how education can become part of a much longer personal and professional journey.
Returning to school at 30, 40, 50, or beyond does not mean starting over. Adult learners bring professional experience, life experience, and a clearer understanding of their goals into the classroom with them.
Ask What “Worth It” Means to You
Before choosing a program, take time to think about what you want your education to help you accomplish.
Consider questions such as:
- What is motivating me to return to school?
- Is a particular credential required or valued in the field I want to pursue?
- What knowledge or skills do I want to develop?
- How much time can I realistically dedicate to school?
- Would an online program make pursuing this goal more manageable?
- What will the program cost, and what financial resources may be available?
- Does the program fit my long-term professional and personal goals?
The answers will be different for everyone — and that’s the point.
Determining whether education is “worth it” is ultimately a personal decision based on your goals, circumstances, and the opportunities you hope to create.
Find the Educational Path That Fits Your Goals
Higher education doesn’t have to look the way it did when you were 18.
Today’s learners can choose among different credentials, fields of study, and ways of learning. Kent State University offers online degree and certificate programs designed to give students greater flexibility in how they fit education into their lives.
Whether you’re looking to finish what you started, advance in your current field, explore a new direction, or simply keep learning, the first step is understanding your options.
Explore Kent State Online programs and find the path that fits where you want to go next.
