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Millions of U.S. Adults Seek New Skills, Degrees Through Continuing Education
Driven by job insecurity, career advancement, and personal enrichment, the adult education landscape is rapidly expanding.
Published on Feb. 22, 2026
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Millions of U.S. adults are returning to the classroom, not as traditional students, but as individuals seeking professional certificates, new skills, or even complete academic degrees. This surge in adult education is driven by a complex interplay of factors, including job insecurity fueled by rapid technological advancements, a desire for career advancement, and a growing interest in personal enrichment.
Why it matters
The trend reflects a broader societal shift towards lifelong learning and the need for continuous professional development, as adults seek to remain competitive in an evolving job market shaped by the rise of new technologies like artificial intelligence.
The details
The scope of adult education offerings has broadened considerably, with universities like UCLA Extension providing over 90 certificate and specialization programs. During the last academic year, UCLA enrolled approximately 33,500 students in these programs, with nearly half being over the age of 35 – a figure comparable to the university's full-time undergraduate enrollment. Experts point to economic anxieties and the rapid pace of technological change as key drivers of this trend, with the emergence of artificial intelligence prompting many adults to seek training to remain competitive.
- During the last academic year, UCLA enrolled approximately 33,500 students in these programs.
The players
Eric Deschamps
The director of continuing education at Northern Arizona University.
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.
What they’re saying
“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out pretty quickly and for folks that got a degree, even just 5 or 10 years ago, their knowledge might be a little bit outdated.”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
“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
The takeaway
The surge in adult education reflects a broader societal trend towards lifelong learning and the need for continuous professional development, as adults seek to remain competitive in an evolving job market shaped by rapid technological advancements, including the rise of artificial intelligence.
