Going Back to College at 25

Maybe you weren’t focused and dropped out. Perhaps the financial burden of college was too much for you and your family. Or maybe you went a different route following high school, like the military or straight into the workforce.

Regardless of the reason, if college didn’t pan out for you the first time, your mid-twenties is the perfect time to go back. When you go back to college at 25, you’re still young enough to blend in with the other students, but you have the life experience and maturity to focus more intently on your goals.

A moss-covered building on a college campus.

Going Back to College at 25 — Top 10 Reasons

If you’re on the fence about going back to college, we recommend giving it serious consideration. Here are 10 good reasons to say yes to a return to college at 25 years old.

1. You’re Still Young

At 25, you’re still knee deep in the prime of your life. You’re far from too old to be a college student. You’re only two to three years older than the average age of a graduating senior who went straight through in four years — which is becoming less common every year.

Even among 25-year-olds who’ve already graduated college, many are nowhere near settled in their careers. Trust me, you’re not as far behind the 8-ball as you think.

2. You Can Advance in Your Career

A college degree is more important than ever if you want to move up in your career. The higher you climb on the corporate ladder, the more likely you are to run up against jobs where a bachelor’s degree is a nonnegotiable minimum requirement.

If you get laid off or the company you work for folds — which can happen to anyone in today’s tumultuous economy — a college degree makes you more likely to find a new job quickly and less likely to have to settle for a lesser one than you deserve.

3. You Can Transition to a New Career

A college degree won’t just help you advance in your current career. It can also help you change careers by giving you the skills, knowledge, and credentials you need to transition to a new field.

Many high-demand fields require a specialized degree. If you want to become a nurse or teacher, for instance, you’ll need a nursing or teaching degree from an accredited program.

Going back to college at 25 also gives you the opportunity to meet people and begin to network in your new field before you even have your degree in hand.

4. You Can Finish What You Started

If you dropped out of college the first time around, you’re not alone. Millions of people have made the same decision.

For many people, education simply isn’t a priority at 18 years old — but then things change as they start navigating the seas of adulthood. If you’ve decided you want that degree after all, then going back to school is the logical choice — and it isn’t as daunting as it might seem. Again, millions of people have done it and succeeded.

5. You’ll Meet New and Interesting People

Going back to college lets you meet new and interesting people from all walks of life. In a college setting, people are typically open-minded and willing to get to know you — whether you’re 18, 25, or 85. If you put yourself out there and take some initiative, you can make new friends and expand your social circle.

College is also a time when people are exploring their interests and passions, so it’s likely you’ll meet others who share your interests and goals. Whether you want to make new friends, expand your network for career purposes, or find people to explore hobbies with, you can do it all in college.

6. You’ll Gain a Valuable Credential

A college degree is more than an admission ticket into the job market. It’s a credential that indicates intelligence, hard work, and dedication. It shows that you’re an educated person. It can even increase your cachet in the social realm and the dating market.

7. It’s Fun

You might think of college as a place where fresh-faced kids right out of high school let loose for the first time. While it’s true that campus life can be absolutely lit for an 18-year-old who yearns for freedom, college can be fun for students of any age.

You won’t be the only older student on campus. You’ll meet many classmates in their 30s, 40s, and beyond. These students will come from all different backgrounds and will be there for a host of reasons — some because they’re transitioning careers, some because they want the credential, and some for no other reason than they love to learn and want to be around curious, interesting people.

And — take it from me, not a spring chicken myself — some of those older folks know how to party from time to time.

8. You Might Meet Your Significant Other in College

On the subject of meeting new people, there’s the romantic side to think about, too. College is a great place to meet potential dating partners, and perhaps even your future spouse. Where else can you find thousands of people ages 18 to 30 in such a concentrated environment? And because college students come from all walks of life, you can find someone who shares your dreams and your values.

9. You’ll Make More Money in the Long Run

According to a 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics study, workers with a bachelor’s degree earn an average of $1,305 per week compared to an average of $781 for workers with no degree. When you do the math, that works out to more than $1 million over a 40-year working life. Plus, the unemployment rate is almost twice as high for workers without a college degree.

10. You’ll Earn Something No One Can Ever Take From You

You can gain and lose a lot of things in life: money, cars, houses, jobs, material possessions, friends, romantic partners. But a college degree is something no one can ever take from you. Even if you never use it, you’ll have it as a badge to commemorate your accomplishment. If you become a parent down the road (or you already have kids), having a college degree sets a good example and shows your kids that education is a priority in your home. Regardless of what happens after graduation, you’ll always be a college graduate.

Advantages of Going to College When You’re 25

Even after considering the top 10 reasons for going back to college at 25, you might still be hesitant. What if I told you there are some distinct advantages of attending college when you’re just a little bit older than most of the other students? Because there are.

Here are the three biggest advantages of starting or returning to college in your mid-twenties.

You’re More Financially Stable

At 25, you’re likely more financially stable than an 18 to 22-year-old college student. Perhaps you’ve already established yourself in your career and can pay for your own education — or at least take out less in loans than you would have six or seven years ago.

You Have More Life Experience

You have far more life experience at 25 than at 18. Compared to the typical wide-eyed freshman wandering the campus, struggling to find their 8 a.m. class, you’ve seen more, experienced more, and been through more.

At 25, you’re much more likely to have had a major life experience, whether it’s getting married, losing a parent or close relative, or traveling the world. You’ve almost certainly had more relationships (and learned from each of them). You’re probably more experienced with money, having likely made a major purchase such as a car.

This life experience makes you more likely to succeed in college by giving you perspective and helping you see beyond the next frat house kegger.

You’re More Mature

A 25-year-old is usually more mature than the typical zit-faced 18-year-old showing up for freshman orientation and then proceeding to get blackout drunk their first night away from parental supervision. This will give you a major advantage when classes start, and time management and diligence become paramount.

How to Prepare for College at 25 Years Old

Now that you’re serious about returning to college, here are a few things you can do ahead of time to make sure you’re as prepared as possible.

Set Your Goals

Think about what you want to do once you have that degree in your hand. What are your interests and passions? What do you want to achieve in your career? Once you have an idea of what you want to do, you can start looking at specific programs in that field. Choosing something you’re passionate about goes a long way toward determining how likely you are to see it through.

Investigate Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Most college students rely on loans to at least some degree. They are a bit of a necessary evil. And fortunately, the return on investment for many degree programs is quite strong, allowing you to pay them off quickly.

But before you resign yourself to taking on debt, look at grants and scholarships you might qualify for. There are federal and private options. The Penny Hoarder has a fantastic list of 16 scholarships for adults returning to college.

Set a Daily Schedule

A paper calendar — A basic calendar is all you need to set a daily schedule.

One of the best ways to ensure success in college at any age is to create and stick to a daily schedule. This includes setting aside specific times for studying, writing papers, sleeping, and socializing. A daily routine will help you get into a groove and prevent that panicky feeling at the end of the semester where you realize you’ve devoted too little time to schoolwork and now must catch up in a couple of nights.

Get to Know Your Professors and Classmates

You can make the most out of going back to college at 25 by getting to know your professors and classmates. Try to find at least one professor who can be your mentor and academic support system as you work toward your degree. This person can help you figure out what classes to take and how to network and prepare for your future career.

Your classmates can become both valuable networking tools and close friends. One of them might even become the person you choose to share your life with.

To get to know your professors and classmates, join clubs or a Greek organization (again, you’re not too old!), go to office hours, and just get out there and talk to people.

The Bottom Line on Returning to College

Going back to college at 25 can change your life for the better. You’re focused, you’re mature, you have life experience, and most importantly of all, you have a goal and a plan to achieve it. All you have to do now is take the plunge and apply.

Going Back to College at 25: Tips to Help You Succeed

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