When you decide to head back to school as an adult learner, you may feel like you’re all alone or out of place, but recent trends and statistics show that the face of today’s college student has changed dramatically. Many students now return to school to get their degrees as adult learners. More than ever, nontraditional students and adult learners are making up more and more of the student body here at Peirce College and at colleges and universities across the country.

• From 2000 to 2012, the enrollment of students over the age of 25 increased by 35%.¹
• By 2019, the share of students over age 25 is projected to increase by another 23%.²
• 3.9 million postsecondary students in the United States are parents.³
• 46% of students who completed a degree at a 4-year institution were previously enrolled in a 2-year institution.⁴
• The percentage of adult learners attending college full-time is steadily increasing. For ages 25-29, 54% are full-time students. 34% of those over age 40 are full-time.⁵
• The average age of Pell Grant recipients is 26 and has been rising for the last 20 years.⁶
• Students over the age of 25 are the fastest-growing segment in higher education.⁷

Even though higher-education is seeing more adult learners and nontraditional students enroll than ever, Peirce College has primarily served these types of students since its founding in 1865. Today, we still make sure that every one of them gets the attention and assistance they need to achieve their goal of earning a degree.

If you want to see how we can help you succeed, just like we’ve been helping other adult learners do for over 150 years, call to speak to one of our Enrollment Specialist today at 1.888.467.3472, ext. 9000.