Adult learners are continuing to rewrite the “traditional” college experience — pursuing their degrees while gracefully balancing jobs, families, and other responsibilities. This generally requires a personalized approach to education that accommodates their unique life circumstances. To help set adult learners up for long-term success, today’s schools must be prepared to adapt their own resources and offerings to meet their diverse needs, as well as the unique challenges they face.
What Is an Adult Learner?
So, what is an adult learner, exactly? While definitions can vary, adult learners are generally considered to be over the age of 24.
Oftentimes, they have life circumstances that set them apart from more “traditional” learners who are attending college straight out of high school. More specifically, an adult learner may have other responsibilities (such as a part- or full-time job and/or family commitments) that they must juggle alongside their education.
Why Adult Learners Are Choosing Higher Education
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, adult college students (aged 25 and older) now make up about one-third of the postsecondary student population in the United States.
So, why are more adults returning to pursue a college education? The reasons range from career pivots and advancements to completion of a long-paused degree. A 2024 Higher Education Today article, which interviewed 120 adult learners, revealed that “While most people said they wanted to advance their careers and make more money, they also had personal reasons that were just as important.”
Some top reasons that adult learners returned to school (aside from career advancement goals) include:
- Gaining skills to serve their respective communities
- Growing as individuals
- Setting positive examples for their children
At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong reason to enroll in college as an adult. Whatever your goals or aspirations may be, the key is to choose a college and degree/certificate program that will support you and empower you through every step of your journey.
The Challenges Adult Learners Face — And How Baker Can Help
Although there are many respectable reasons for adults to return to school, adult learning does come with some inherent challenges and obstacles. By choosing the right school with plenty of support systems in place, adult learners can set themselves up for greater success.
Balancing Work, Life, and School
Because adult learners have other responsibilities to juggle (including work and/or family obligations), they need additional flexibility in their scheduling and coursework. Some may only be able to take courses after business hours, while others might need more time to submit assignments. At Baker College, we offer flexible course formats (including synchronous and asynchronous online classes) to accommodate even the busiest of students. And with several physical campuses across the state of Michigan, you can find the location that’s closest to you.
Navigating College Systems
In addition to needing more flexible scheduling, adult learning may also require extra support when it comes to navigating the technology needed to complete online coursework or even enroll in classes. For example, an adult learner returning to school after a decade in the workforce might need guidance on accessing digital library resources. At Baker, we strive to simplify this process by offering dedicated support and academic advising for students who may be new to the process.
Financial Concerns
Enrolling in college as an adult may also present some unique financial challenges, especially for students who have families to support or must fund their own education without assistance. Students who leave their jobs to pursue school full-time may also face added costs. This is where Baker College really shines, offering a number of financial aid options to those who qualify — including our BeFree Tuition Guarantee for eligible new students and our Bright Futures Scholarship!
Baker’s Dedicated Advising for Adult Learners
When you enroll at Baker College as an adult learner, you’ll enjoy access to specialized advisors who understand your unique needs, as well as ongoing check-ins and dedicated support. More specifically, adult learners at Baker can expect:
- Specialized advisors who understand adult needs. Baker’s advisors work specifically with adult students to create manageable degree plans that fit their busy schedules. This includes both academic advisors (who focus on course planning and academic success) and dedicated career advisors (who help students connect their studies to long-term career goals).
- Guidance beyond course selection. Academic advising at Baker goes far beyond picking classes. Advisors help adult learners develop strategies for effective time management, maintain a healthy balance between school and other responsibilities, and make full use of available student resources.
- Continuous check-ins. Our proactive advising team supports students throughout their academic journey, not just at registration. These regular check-ins allow advisors to celebrate successes, address challenges early, and adjust plans as life circumstances change.
Student Services Tailored to Adult Learners
Along with our dedicated adult learning services, Baker College also offers specialized adult student services to help students thrive and make the most of their school experience. Some examples of these services include:
- OneStop for Streamlined Help – A central resource for managing administrative and academic needs efficiently, with support for everything from financial aid and scholarships to transcripts, career services, and registration.
- CARE and Uwill for Personal Support – Personal care resources and access to mental health services that reduce stress and help adult learners address the unique stressors of balancing school with personal commitments.
- Tech Help and Academic Support – Includes tech training, tutoring, and writing assistance, all of which help close skill gaps and empower returning students to approach their studies with confidence.
Personal Care and Wellness: Helping You Succeed Outside the Classroom
At Baker, we’ve seen firsthand how access to mental health and wellness services can help adult learners succeed inside and outside the classroom. That’s why we offer personal care and wellness resources such as:
- Mental health and counseling, which can help adult learners who are juggling stress from multiple life areas in a healthy and sustainable way. May include helping students develop healthy coping strategies, build resilience, and maintain overall well-being throughout their studies.
- Life resources, including personal care programs that help with challenges like childcare, housing, and food insecurity. Helps reduce external stressors to ensure adult learners can focus more fully on their education.
Building Community as an Adult Student
Whether you’re enrolled online, on campus, or in a hybrid program, Baker College offers plenty of adult student services to help you connect and build a true sense of community. These resources include:
- HiveConnect for Adult Engagement – A tool for connecting with peers, events, and support networks (including for online students). This comprehensive network can be an excellent way for students to stay on track with their goals, find study buddies, and request assistance — all through the convenience of MyBaker or a free mobile app!
- Peer networks and mentorship programs – Empower adult learners to connect with others who share similar experiences. Adult learners can choose to become mentors themselves or request a peer mentor as part of their program.
- Opportunities for leadership and involvement – Offer student organizations, career networking, and student events designed with adult schedules in mind. These opportunities can be a great way for adult learners to meet others who share similar interests, open doors for career advancement, and build valuable skills that can translate to their future work. Baker College offers a wide range of student organizations to suit your interests, including clubs that meet both online and in person.
Why Baker College Is the Right Choice for Adult Learners
At Baker College, we understand that each of our valued students brings their own unique backgrounds and experiences to the table — and we’re proud to celebrate those differences in our approach to learning. For adult learners and other non-traditional students, our flexible learning options (including online, hybrid, and evening courses) offer the versatility to suit even the busiest of schedules.
Meanwhile, our adult student services and career-focused programs help learners gain the practical skills and knowledge needed to advance or pivot careers quickly — all with guidance that goes beyond graduation to include lifetime career services and continued alumni support.If you’ve been looking for a college that sees you for you (and not just another number), it’s time to explore our program offerings at Baker College. Get in touch to learn more or get started with your application today.