What’s a Nontraditional Student… And Am I Too Old To Go To College?

You probably already know that higher education can help further both your career and life goals. But did you know that by getting your bachelor’s degree, you could earn a median of $2.8 million over your lifetime?

And getting a master’s degree could mean $3.2 million?[1]

That’s a lot of money. But you may be thinking you’re too old to start (or finish) college, and the dream of earning your degree, and landing a potentially lucrative career after graduation has, well, long passed.

But, even though the average first year college student is about 18 years old, and most students you’ll see around campus are under 25, that dream of earning your degree can still be a reality, at any age.

And SchoolMatchPro.com is here to help make it happen.

You see, although you may be over 24 years old, and more mature than your typical college enrollee, there’s absolutely nothing stopping you from pursuing your dream.

In just a moment, we’ll show you how SchoolMatchPro.com can help get you there (it may be easier than you think).

First, if you’re over 24 years old and are ready to attend college either for the first time or to finish your degree, you may be considered what’s known as a “non-traditional” student.

What’s a non-traditional student, you ask?

Well, outside of age, the National Center for Educational Statistics says non-traditional students are people who fit into any of the following categories: [2]

• Delays enrollment (does not enter postsecondary education in the same calendar year that high school ended).
• Attends part-time for at least part of the academic year.
• Works full-time (35 hours or more per week) while enrolled.
• Is considered financially independent for purposes of determining eligibility for financial aid.
• Has dependents other than a spouse (usually children but may also be caregivers of sick or elderly family members).
• Does not have a high school diploma (completed high school with a GED or other high school completion certificate or did not finish high school)

So, if you’re over 24 or fit into any of these categories, you may be considered a non-traditional student. But being a non-traditional doesn’t mean you’ll be a fish out of water when you go to college.

You see, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) says, “Today’s college student populations are increasingly nontraditional. The term ‘college student’ is no longer exclusive to the traditional 18 to 24-year-old matriculating directly from high school.

“Today’s college students are parents, caregivers, full-time employees, and retirees. In fact, estimates suggest that 40% of the current undergraduate population at American colleges and universities are non-traditional.”[3]

So clearly, as a nontraditional student, you won’t be alone.

However, even though, as NASPA says, up to 40% of the undergrad population may be non-traditional students, you may want to consider earning your degree online, rather than on campus.

This rings especially true if you are already working, don’t care to participate in the traditional college lifestyle, are caring for a family member or simply cannot live at or commute to a physical campus.

If this sounds like you, earning your degree online may be the way to go. And here’s an even bigger reason why you should consider getting your degree online:

According to the Education Data Initiative, earning your bachelor’s degree online, as compared to in person, is significantly cheaper, and offers you much more flexibility[4].

How much cheaper? $31,165 cheaper.

How much more flexibility? Some online degree programs may allow you to learn on your own time, at your own pace. Meaning you may not have to attend online class at a specific time, but you can log in to the course when you’re available…

Allowing you to earn your degree and follow your dreams… on your time!

Now, we’ve already shown that earning your bachelor’s degree can lead to $2.8 million in lifetime earnings. And now we’re going to show you how to find the best online college for you.

Ready?

Here’s how simple it is. Just go to SchoolMatchPro.com’s homepage and click on “Begin Your Search Now.”

Here’ we’ll match you to a school or program that best fits what you’re looking for in an education. See, we value your uniqueness, and we’ll only match you with a school that is a great fit for you… not the other way around!

Take that next step, get your degree and follow your dreams.

[1] Lifetime Earning: Education Level is Only One Part of The Lifetime Earnings Picture (siteselection.com)

[2] Findings from the Condition of Education 2002: Nontraditional Undergraduates

[3] Newsletter (naspa.org)

[4] Cost of Online Education vs. Traditional Education [2023]: Comparison (educationdata.org)