This article was originally published April 17, 2023, and was updated December 22, 2025, to reflect new data regarding college enrollment, employment rates, and salary information.
The average American student attends school for 13 years, from around five to eighteen years of age. Then comes the question of college.
Most students still enroll in two- or four-year institutions right after graduating high school, but . As for students who go straight to college, .
While many think of college students as being 18 to 22 years old, the reality is that . At University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), the average age of an undergraduate student is 31. Many of our students are older.
Take Mae Beale, for example. In spring of 2022, Beale walked across the UMGC graduation stage at the age of 82 after earning her bachelor’s in business administration. Beale had already spent several years in a career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). At t , Beale took one class at a time.
“I wanted to make certain I had the time to devote to whichever class I was taking,” she said. “I was like the tortoise. Slow and steady wins the race.”
Students return to school for all kinds of reasons. For some, it’s simply a personal goal. For others, it’s a way to advance in their current career. Still others want to change careers or transition out of the military.
Having a degree provides a measurable edge in the job market and one that appears to be growing. than for workers without a bachelor’s degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, in 2024, according to , workers with a master’s degree earned a median weekly salary of $1,840, and those with a bachelor’s degree earned $1,543, while workers with a high school diploma earned $930.
The fact of the matter is, no matter a student’s reason for wanting to go back, it’s never too late. And, if you choose wisely, you can expect a solid ROI on your investment. UMGC, for example, has been ranked in the top 8 percent of public universities for 30-year ROI by the .
In addition, eligible Maryland residents 60 and older can even take advantage of UMGC's Golden ID program and register for credits without paying tuition. With the growth of online education, working adults can pursue a degree without sacrificing their career and income. In fact, according to the , most online college students are employed either full-time (58 percent) or part-time (21 percent). With no specific times to attend class, online access that requires no commute, and the chance to transfer credits from prior learning, many online students also can finish their degrees faster.
“One of my favorite parts about t is the unique opportunity they offer students at any age,” says Karly Oristian, a success coach at t . “From working adults, military servicemembers, veterans, families and many more, UMGC encourages life-long learning. I enjoy being able to watch students I have grown close with finish their degree and start that next desired stage of their career.”
UMGC is proud to offer an accredited education to adult learners of all ages and to support their specific needs to help them achieve their goals. You can also expect a great return on investment when you enroll at t .
When you are ready, it’s never too late to go back to school.
Reference on this webpage to any third-party entity or product does not constitute or imply endorsement by UMGC nor does it constitute or imply endorsement of UMGC by the third party.
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