The Rise of Adult Learners in Higher Education

Higher education is one of the most important tools someone can use to improve their financial situation. Jobs that require a postsecondary degree or credential typically offer higher levels of compensation, which can keep an employee well above the poverty line. A higher level of education translates to a greater range of knowledge and skills in the eyes of an employer, meaning their contributions will be more productive and help earn the company higher profits. These perceived benefits often lead companies to post job openings that require a college degree. While these jobs typically offer higher salaries, they are also restricted from those that only have up to a high school education. 

This restriction can lead to huge problems on a macroeconomic scale if there are not enough people that do not meet the educational requirements set in place by employers in a specific region. Kentucky encapsulates this problem, as the state is experiencing widening gaps in their workforce. 63% of jobs within Kentucky will require a postsecondary education by 2031; however, only 55% of adults within the state meet this educational requirement. Kentucky is already in the top 10 states with high job vacancy rates, and their positioning will only grow worse if they don’t attain higher post secondary education rates.

A lack of higher education can also cause the majority of a state’s population to have incomes below the state’s livable wage. Currently, 30% of Kentucky’s population have incomes below an annual salary of $35k. There is a clear correlation between education levels and probability of living in poverty. 34% of people with less than a high school education live in poverty, compared to 18% of high school graduates and 12% of those that have completed their associate’s degree or some college. Only 5% of people that have attained a Bachelor’s or higher live in poverty. In general, households that are headed by at least one college graduate earn about $40k more per year than their lower educated counterparts. 

Despite these clear benefits of increasing the rates of higher education, the United States has been facing a significant decline in the number of adults enrolled in college over the past ten years, from 2014 to 2024. In fact, nationwide, there are about 8,000 less public university undergraduates enrolled over the last decade aged 25 to 64. In Kentucky alone, there are 16,000 less undergraduates aged 26 to 64 enrolled over the course of these years. Clearly, it is a pressing issue for the state to address going forward.

There are several reasons why adults are not enrolling in college as frequently. The most pressing reason is lack of available time to attend the required classes for degree requirements. Most adults have family obligations, such as children that they must tend to. In fact, 48% of adult learners have children. A huge  limiting factor is that adult learners are unable to find affordable childcare centers that would allow them to attend their classes unhampered. Between 2019 and 2021, there were almost 16,000 childcare centers that closed nationwide. The ones that are still open are very expensive –  the average cost of childcare has reached over $6,000 per year. This can create a huge burden for learners that are already financially strained. 

Many adult learners also must work in order to cover the cost of college and support their families. 58% of full-time adult undergraduate students are working, while 79% of part-time undergraduate adult learners are working. These working students must have access to flexible academic scheduling available, including remote and nighttime classes, in order to remain enrolled in college. Working is a necessity for these students, as college is extremely expensive even when they are receiving aid. Their unmet needs can often reach over $6,000 per academic year, highlighting a significant gap between financial aid and fully covering the costs of college. 

Another factor working against adult learners is the fact that many of them have not operated in a classroom for many years. If someone has not been in an academic environment since high school, they might require additional academic support to be successful. These supports often are in the form of gateway courses for Math and English classes. Unfortunately, many of these classes are not being properly utilized by adult students. Only 23% and 25% of Math and English gateway classes are being attended at Kentucky’s community and technical college system, respectively. The percentage is even lower at KY public universities, standing at 15% for both types of classes. 

All of these factors lower adult learners’ probability of completing their postsecondary education by 4x compared to students enrolling directly after high school. Kentucky is well aware of the uphill battle they are facing, but have still decided to pursue the 60×30 initiative. This initiative is based on the premise that Kentucky is aiming to have 60% of their adult population attain a postsecondary degree or credential by the year 2030.