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Using Insights to Support Older Learners
An increasing number of adults aged 30 and older are enrolling in undergraduate programs, according to the Current Term Enrollment Estimates: Spring 2024 (CTEE) report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. The National Student Clearinghouse provides tools that offer insights that can help institutions meet the needs of learners in this age group.
First, a quick overview of students aged 30 or older in higher education, per the CTEE report:
- Undergraduates over 30 grew for the first time in four years: Nearly 2.5 million students aged 30 or older enrolled in an undergraduate program in spring 2024, a 3.5% increase over spring 2023 after four years of declines.
- Public Two-Year Institutions Were the Main Beneficiaries of this Growth: Over 900,000 undergraduates over 30 enrolled at a public two-year institution. A 4.3% increase over spring 2023, and the largest numerical increase in undergraduates over 30 across all institution sectors (+39,000).
- Private For-Profit Four-Year Institutions Continue to Draw Undergraduates 30 and Older: More than 350,000 students (14%) aged 30 or older enrolled in an undergraduate program at a private for-profit four-year institution, a number that has continued to increase since spring 2019.
Data-Driven Support Strategies
To effectively support adult learners, institutions can leverage the Clearinghouse’s Learner Insights solutions to:
- Identify Barriers: Through the Postsecondary Data Partnership (PDP), institutions can identify trends and patterns related to older learners, such as their enrollment rates, program preferences, and completion rates. This information can help institutions identify equity gaps and see where older learners are succeeding or where they may need additional support.
- Assess Learner Success: With StudentTracker, colleges can assess student outcomes and whether older learners are succeeding in their pursuit of higher education. Based on these insights, institutions can develop targeted support services by understanding older learners’ unique challenges — such as balancing education with work and family responsibilities. This might include offering flexible scheduling, career counseling, or tailored academic advising.
The increase in adult learners in higher education calls for data-driven approaches that cater to their unique needs. By using data effectively, institutions can create a more supportive and successful learning environment for students of all ages.
