7 Questions to Ask Before Going to College as a Working Adult

Returning to school is an investment of time, energy and money. It can be challenging to find the resources to finish a degree, but going back to college is something that thousands of working adults do every single year.

In fact, it has never been easier to begin the journey of returning to college as an older student. There are now adult undergraduate programs that are specifically designed to help working adults succeed in their efforts to obtain a four-year degree.

Are you thinking about going back to college? Learn about your options with our resource: Everything You Need to Know About Going to College as an Adult.

If you’re considering going back to college, you have a lot to consider. To help, we’ve put together a list of seven questions you should ask yourself before you take the plunge.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Program

Choosing a college and a program of study are both crucial decisions. While you can always change majors, you’ll save a lot of time and energy if you initially choose the one that is a right fit for you.

Here are some questions to guide your search:

Why do I want to go to college as an adult?

Determining your “why” for going back to school as an adult will help you stay motivated when you find yourself balancing work, school and personal obligations. 

We encourage you to think through the benefits of achieving a college degree and determine how those benefits will impact you professionally and personally. Keep those benefits in mind throughout your program, and you’ll maintain motivation to finish.

Can I afford this college and this program?

Not all colleges and programs are created equal. There can be drastic differences in cost and in the types of financial aid offered. It is essential to consider both sides of the financial coin – cost and aid – when looking at programs and schools. 

Be sure to explore the student loans, grants, scholarships and other financial aid options available – both at your school of choice and external sources.

How will this college help me financially?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those with college degrees make more than those who only hold some college credit or a high school diploma, so the data shows that investing in a four-year degree will have a positive return on investment.

You can also research the industry that you are trying to break into and find data related to job growth, average salary and opportunities for promotion. This step will help you determine what you can expect to make after graduation and how much financial support you should take advantage of beforehand.

Does this college offer me flexible schedules and formats to help me finish my degree?

Going back to college as an adult will require unavoidable schedule changes and rearranging of your priorities, but flexible options for obtaining a college degree definitely do exist. Many degree completion programs (programs for working adults who may or may not have obtained some college credit) often offer flexible completion options – allowing adult learners to attend class on weekends, evenings or online. 

Also, by choosing an institution that has a history of working with students to accomplish their goals, you can be confident that they are as dedicated to your success as you are.

Do they offer any credit for previous work experience?

Many colleges offer credit for prior learning (CPL), an initiative designed to help students return to college as adults. Within CPL, colleges work with students to determine which life and work experiences could count for college credit. 

These prior experiences could be college credits received from a different institution, military experience or skills developed in a field related to your program. The combinations of CPL are as unique as you are, so be sure to reach out to your admission counselor about opportunities to apply for CPL. 

Credit for prior learning can decrease your time in school, saving you valuable time and money in the long run. When looking at college for working adults, it's a practical step to consider.

What are others saying about this college and program?

There’s nothing like a personal recommendation to seal the deal on a decision. As you’re researching programs, reach out to others who have studied what you’re interested in or have chosen the school you’re considering. Finding a network or individual who picked a similar program or returned to school later in life can help determine if you would thrive in that environment. 

Most schools also have student testimonials available. Simply research the website of your school of interest and see what you can find as far as student outcome stories.

Where are graduates of this program working today?

You should explore the career trajectories and job outcomes of graduates who chose your program of interest. Researching where those graduates are today can help you determine if it’s the best choice for your career goals. 

If you find graduates working at companies or in roles that are attractive to you, that could be a good sign that you’re picking a program that matches your long term, professional goals.

The Mount's Respected Adult Undergraduate Programs – Connect with Us!

At Mount Saint Mary’s University, we have a reputation for helping adults going back to college succeed. We work with our students to build schedules that serve them best, scheduling classes on the weekends, in the evenings or online. While most classes are taught by the same professors who teach our traditional undergraduate programs, we also have a dedicated team who works specifically with these adult students - our Weekend/Evening & Online College.

Going back to college as an adult should be exciting. Let us work with you to achieve your dreams of earning a degree through one of our twelve adult undergraduate programs. We offer degrees in various topics, from business administration to social work, from applied psychology to film and media. 

If you want to connect with a program representative, request more information or schedule a meeting. And if you’re ready to see where the Mount can take you, start your online application today.