How adults can navigate going back to school
A February 2026 report from the American College of Education found that roughly one in three adults who returned to school within the previous two years did so due to concerns related to automation and artificial intelligence. Workers with a bachelor's degree have an employment rate 7 percentage points higher than those with some college education but no degree.
Many adults are returning to school due to concerns about automation and artificial intelligence. According to a February 2026 report from the American College of Education, roughly one in three adults who returned to school within the previous two years did so for this reason. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that workers with a bachelor's degree have a 7 percentage point higher employment rate than those with some college education but no degree. Adults returning to school can ease their concerns by knowing they are not alone, as 74% of students have at least one nontraditional characteristic. They bring a unique perspective to the classroom, having navigated professional and personal challenges. Adult students should prepare for changes in academia, such as the use of e-books and new applications, and can expect to enjoy education more the second time around, as they know exactly what they want and why they are back in school.
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