2/22/2026 | USA | politics | ✓ Verified - abcnews.com

Why adults pursuing career growth or personal interests are the 'new majority' student

#adult education #continuing education #career advancement #non-traditional students #micro-credentials #work-life balance #lifelong learning #skill development

📌 Key Takeaways

Adult learners now represent the 'new majority' in higher education
Educational institutions are adapting with flexible learning options and lower costs
Adult students juggle education with work and family responsibilities
Technological advances and economic concerns drive many to return to school

📖 Full Retelling

Millions of U.S. adults are returning to educational institutions across the country in 2026 to pursue career advancement, personal interests, and skill development through credit and non-credit courses, certificates, micro-credentials, and degree programs, driven by economic concerns, technological advances, and workforce changes that create job insecurity and the need for continuous learning. These 'new majority' students, many of whom are over 35, bring years of work and life experience to their studies while juggling full-time jobs, caregiving responsibilities, and family commitments, creating a challenging balancing act that can sharpen priorities and provide fulfillment. Educational institutions like UCLA Extension and Northern Arizona University are adapting to this trend by offering flexible learning options, including in-person and online classes, accelerated and self-paced instruction, and keeping costs lower than traditional degree programs to make continuing education more accessible. Experts note that technological advancements, particularly in fields like artificial intelligence, are creating a sense of urgency for professionals to update their knowledge, while others return to school to explore personal interests or hobbies ranging from business entrepreneurship to ancient Japanese flower arranging.

🏷️ Themes

Lifelong Learning, Career Development, Educational Accessibility

Entity Intersection Graph

No entity connections available yet for this article.

Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This trend matters because it reflects a major shift in higher education demographics, with adult learners now becoming a significant student population. It highlights how education is increasingly seen as a lifelong pursuit essential for career adaptation and personal fulfillment in a rapidly changing economy.

Context & Background

Millions of U.S. adults are enrolling in credit and non-credit college courses
Older students often balance studies with full-time jobs and family responsibilities
Economic concerns and technological advances like AI are driving the need for upskilling
Universities are expanding continuing education programs with flexible, affordable options

What Happens Next

Universities will likely continue expanding their continuing education offerings to meet growing demand from adult learners. More adults are expected to pursue micro-credentials and skill-specific training as workforce demands evolve rapidly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are adults returning to school?

Adults are returning for career advancement, higher pay, job security, or to explore personal interests and new skills.

What types of courses are popular for adult learners?

Popular courses include professional certificates, AI training, business skills, and hobby-related subjects like photography or writing.

What are the main challenges for adult students?

Balancing coursework with work and family commitments, financial costs, and overcoming psychological barriers about returning to education.

How are universities supporting adult learners?

They offer flexible formats like online and self-paced classes, keep costs lower than degree programs, and provide financial assistance and academic advising.

Original Source

              Why adults pursuing career growth or personal interests are the 'new majority' student Millions of 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 By CHEYANNE MUMPHREY Associated Press February 22, 2026, 8:25 AM FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Interested in starting a business, learning about artificial intelligence or exploring a new hobby? There's a class for that. Millions of U.S. adults enroll in credit and non-credit college courses to earn professional certificates, learn new skills or to pursue academic degrees. Some older students are seeking career advancement, higher pay and job security , while others want to explore their personal interests or try new things . “They might have kids, they might be working full-time, they might be older non-traditional students," said Eric Deschamps, the director of continuing education at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. But returning to school "opens doors to education for students that might not have those doors open to them otherwise.” Older students, many of whom bring years of work and life experience to their studies, often are juggling courses with full-time jobs, caregiving and other family responsibilities. It is a challenging balancing act but can also sharpen priorities and provide a sense of fulfillment. Here's what experts have to say about returning to school, what to consider beforehand and how to balance coursework with work and personal commitments. UCLA Extension, the continuing education division of the University of California, Los Angeles, offers more than 90 certificate and specialization programs, from interior design , early childhood education and accounting to photography, paralegal studies and music production. Individual courses cover a wide range of topics, including retirement planning, writing novels, the business of athletes and artists, and the ancient Japane...
            

Read full article at source

Source

abcnews.com