More Adults Pursue Career Growth and Personal Interests Through Continuing Education

Millions of U.S. adults are enrolling in credit and non-credit college courses to earn professional certificates, learn new skills, or pursue academic degrees.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Millions of U.S. adults are continuing their education by returning to school and enrolling in credit and non-credit courses, certificates, micro-credentials, job training and degree programs. Some are seeking career advancement, higher pay and job security, while others want to explore personal interests. Experts say these "new majority" students, many of whom are older non-traditional students, face challenges like balancing coursework with work and family responsibilities, but the education can also provide a sense of fulfillment.

Why it matters

As economic concerns, technological advances and other workforce changes create a sense of job insecurity, more adults are pursuing continuing education to upskill, change careers or explore personal interests. This trend is reshaping higher education, with schools working to make courses more accessible for working adults.

The details

Millions of adults are enrolling in credit and non-credit college courses, certificates, micro-credentials and degree programs to earn professional qualifications, learn new skills or pursue personal interests. Many are older "non-traditional" students who are juggling coursework with full-time jobs, caregiving and other responsibilities. Schools are offering more flexible learning options like online and accelerated classes to cater to these adult learners.

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

The players

Eric Deschamps

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

Traci Fordham

The interim associate dean for academic programs and learning innovation at UCLA.

Katie Swavely

The assistant director for academic advising and student success at UCLA, who returned to school for a master's degree while working and raising a family.

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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 (apnews.com)

“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 (apnews.com)

“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 (apnews.com)

What’s next

Experts suggest adults interested in continuing their education should assess their time and budgets, weigh the potential benefits and consequences, and determine how the training and knowledge could help them achieve their 5- or 10-year goals.

The takeaway

As economic changes and job insecurity drive more adults to pursue continuing education, schools are working to make courses more accessible through flexible learning options. This trend is reshaping higher education, with these "new majority" students bringing valuable work and life experience to their studies despite the challenges of balancing coursework with work and family responsibilities.