Adults Pursuing Career Growth and Personal Interests Become 'New Majority' Student

Millions of U.S. adults enroll in college courses to earn certificates, learn new skills, or pursue academic degrees later in life.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Millions of U.S. adults are enrolling in college courses, both credit and non-credit, to earn professional certificates, learn new skills, or pursue academic degrees. These 'non-traditional' students are often older, juggling courses with full-time jobs, caregiving, and other responsibilities. Experts say this group is becoming the 'new majority' student, driven by a desire for career advancement, higher pay, job security, or simply exploring personal interests.

Why it matters

As economic concerns, technological advances, and other workforce changes create a sense of job insecurity, many adults are turning to continuing education to upskill, change careers, or gain new knowledge. This trend highlights the evolving nature of higher education, with schools working to make courses more accessible and tailored to the needs of this growing student population.

The details

Schools like UCLA and Northern Arizona University are offering a variety of learning environments - in-person, online, accelerated, self-paced - to help adult students integrate coursework with their home and work lives. They are also keeping costs low compared to degree-track classes and providing financial assistance. Experts say adult students often bring years of work and life experience to their studies, but face challenges like budgeting, time management, and overcoming feelings of uncertainty about their academic abilities.

  • During the last academic year, about 33,500 students - nearly half of them older than 35 - were enrolled at UCLA Extension.
  • UCLA reported a full-time enrollment of about 32,600 degree-seeking undergraduate students during the same period.

The players

Eric Deschamps

The director of continuing education at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Traci Fordham

UCLA's interim associate dean for academic programs and learning innovation.

Katie Swavely

The assistant director for academic advising and student success at UCLA, who started at community college before transferring to UCLA to study anthropology and later completing a master's degree in counseling with a focus on academic advising.

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What they’re saying

“'They might have kids, they might be working full-time, they might be older non-traditional students. But returning to school 'opens doors to education for students that might not have those doors open to them otherwise.'”

— Eric Deschamps, Director of continuing education at Northern Arizona University

“'A great example of that is artificial intelligence. These new technologies are coming out pretty quickly and for folks that got a degree, even just 5 or 10 years ago, their knowledge might be a little bit outdated.'”

— Eric Deschamps, Director of continuing education at Northern Arizona University

“'I prefer calling our (adult) learners not only continuous, but the new majority student. These are learners who tend to already be employed, often supporting a family, looking for up-skilling or sometimes a career change.'”

— Traci Fordham, Interim associate dean for academic programs and learning innovation at UCLA

“'There are questions of how are we going to make it work and do we have the money. As a parent, sacrifices are there all the time. You make those judgment calls every day. But making sure that you're investing in yourself. There's always gonna be reasons why it's not today, not this month, not this year, but it's also OK to just jump in and go for it and see how it works out.'”

— Katie Swavely, Assistant director for academic advising and student success at UCLA

“'The biggest piece of advice is for people to realize you're never too old to learn.'”

— Katie Swavely, Assistant director for academic advising and student success at UCLA

What’s next

Schools like UCLA and Northern Arizona University are working to make continuing education courses more accessible and tailored to the needs of adult students, including offering flexible learning environments, keeping costs low, and providing financial assistance.

The takeaway

The rise of adult students pursuing career growth, personal interests, and academic degrees later in life highlights the evolving nature of higher education. This 'new majority' student population is driving schools to adapt and make continuing education more accessible, as adults seek to upskill, change careers, or explore new passions in the face of economic uncertainty and workforce changes.