What is too old for a college degree?

[wayniac]

So I am beyond the age for career change, but always regretted not getting a bachelor's degree. Curious what is the latest any of you have started or finished college.

 

[Orange Juice]

If you don't need a student loan, any age is ok.

 

[Waterjunky]

My grandmother graduated from Chico State with a BA in the mid 90's . She was later 70's when she did it.

 

[pwerwagn]

2 of my grandparents went back to college after they retired. I believe they both got associates degrees in history. 1 class per semester.

 

[River918]

Bachelor‘s at 40, Master’s at 45. Never too late if it’s important to you.

 

[outboard_256]

When I was in college there would be people in there 50, 60, 70's in the classes. I hated those people, they would sit in the front row, ask a lot of questions, and always set the curve on the tests. The reason why there were there was because they actually wanted to learn and not just pass the class to get a degree like the rest of us. They always got the highest grades. It was pretty common to see a few of those people in the lower level classes. So I don't think the school or students would care.

 

[EmpirE231]

My wife completed her bachelors a few years ago and now about to wrap up her masters at age 43

 

[wayniac]

If you don't need a student loan, any age is ok.

Being an adult is nice sometimes

 

[530RL]

If you are single, any age is a good age to go back to college.

 

[Done-it-again]

If not needing for the career, then why?

 

[EmpirE231]

not sure if I'd go just to finish it up, unless it opens some doors.

My wife was a dental hygienist, got the bachelors so she could become a college instructor that teaches Hygiene... now going for her Masters to hopefully do the same thing but at a much better college / opportunity.

 

[DRYHEAT]

I’m thinking of getting my GED.

 

[monkeyswrench]

My brother got a degree at 50. My mother in law was possibly 55?
Pops, on the other hand, didn't get a high school diploma until he was 51 or 52.

I don't think I could ever focus on a degree. I think learning skills is important though. For some, that could be vocational things, wood or metal work. For others, programming and even the hardware side of technology.

One of the smartest men I knew told me once "The paper on the wall doesn't make someone smart" (he had a doctorate in mechanical engineering, and more than one masters) Same guy, "You should learn something everyday. That's the best part of growing old".

 

[Boatymcboatface]

Brother worked with a guy that graduated from nursing school in his 70s.

 

[wayniac]

I’m thinking of getting my GED.

Hell yeah.. get that!!!

 

[zhandfull]

When I was in college there would be people in there 50, 60, 70's in the classes. I hated those people, they would sit in the front row, ask a lot of questions, and always set the curve on the tests. The reason why there were there was because they actually wanted to learn and not just pass the class to get a degree like the rest of us. They always got the highest grades. It was pretty common to see a few of those people in the lower level classes. So I don't think the school or students would care.

Had nothing to do with their bad vision and hearing. lol…

 

[zhandfull]

Think most older people would weigh potential return on investment. However for others it may just be unfinished business.

 

[C-2]

I went back to in-person community college at age 48 to get an AA so I could land a job with the State. I got hired by the State at age 50 after having worked for myself for 27-years.

Thus far I have jo desire to return to school. As already said, why?

 

[530RL]

I went back to in-person community college at age 48 to get an AA so I could land a job with the State. I got hired by the State at age 50 after having worked for myself for 27-years.

Thus far I have jo desire to return to school. As already said, why?

Why?

Co-ed intramurals primarily.

 

[wayniac]

If you are single, any age is a good age to go back to college.

I have a son at ASU. I can promise you that place isnt for me.

 

[JL95]

My Mom got a degree around 50. Never took up her scholarship offer at csulb due to kids at the time. I was just signed up for online classes by my wife. I will probably slow roll an AA if i can. I don't know wtf i am doing to tell you the truth. I am the frog in the boiling water lol. Eventually I need to sack up and do something because this is about 6 years too many here.

Ideally I would be day trading successfully or parts running during the week for my mason motorsports build lmfao. Sometimes I wonder if everyone feels like this or is it just me.

 

[530RL]

I have a son at ASU. I can promise you that place isnt for me.

As a Uof A graduate, I totally get it.

 

[SkyDirtWaterguy]

I have always advocated for education and a college degree. However, this day and age with the indoctrination brainwashing and liberal ideology in Universities I am skeptical. Not to mention the expense. Some of the smartest and wealthiest people I know do not have college degrees. I feel like learning a specific trade or skill is just as valuable.

 

[Bobby V]

As a Uof A graduate, I totally get it.

Harvard of the West...

 

[530RL]

Harvard of the West...

The Harvard of Jalisco.

But back on Topic, we never looked at a college degree as being that useful from purely an educational standpoint, but that it demonstrated an ability by the applicant to stick to a long and complicated task and finish it, hopefully on time.

There are many entrepreneurs who never went to college because well, they are entrepreneurs. But when it comes to building large organizational teams, college grads statistically perform better as they demonstrated they can stick to a task.

Certainly not true in all cases, but when hiring hundreds or thousands, it is a valid sort mechanism to increase the probability of having good team members.

 

[monkeyswrench]

The Harvard of Jalisco.

But back on Topic, we never looked at a college degree as being that useful from purely an educational standpoint, but that it demonstrated an ability by the applicant to stick to a long and complicated task and finish it, hopefully on time.

There are many entrepreneurs who never went to college because well, they are entrepreneurs. But when it comes to building large organizational teams, college grads statistically perform better as they demonstrated they can stick to a task.

Certainly not true in all cases, but when hiring hundreds or thousands, it is a valid sort mechanism to increase the probability of having good team members.

"...it is a valid sort mechanism to increase the probability of having good team members."

Also a very good way to determine if they will conform

In roofing, if you survived the first day, both the physical abuse as well as the endless insults and threats of violence, you were in!
You had thick enough skin, a high pain tolerance and a low enough IQ to put profit before pain.
Different metrics for different jobs

 

[aka619er]

It was one of my biggest regrets as well. I went back in my late 30's. My wife then followed suit. I had others in their late 50's doing the same. We are so happy to get it done and not live with they regret any longer.

 

[wayniac]

I have always advocated for education and a college degree. However, this day and age with the indoctrination brainwashing and liberal ideology in Universities I am skeptical. Not to mention the expense. Some of the smartest and wealthiest people I know do not have college degrees. I feel like learning a specific trade or skill is more valuable.

Hadn't considered the indoctrination. That part might be fun... on the plus side, my work will pay for it.

It was one of my biggest regrets as well. I went back in my late 30's. My wife then followed suit. I had others in their late 50's doing the same. We are so happy to get it done and not live with they regret any longer.

This is totally where I'm at. To make things worse, I took a few classes for my wife. Think she will give me those credits back..

I will probably slow roll an AA if i can. I don't know wtf i am doing to tell you the truth. I am the frog in the boiling water lol. Eventually I need to sack up and do something because this is about 6 years too many here.

Ideally I would be day trading successfully or parts running during the week for my mason motorsports build lmfao. Sometimes I wonder if everyone feels like this or is it just me.

I think a lot of us dream of something different. Definitely start that slow roll of classes. If I would have started 1 class a year I'd have a couple masters by now.

 

[TrollerDave]

Hadn't considered the indoctrination. That part might be fun... on the plus side, my work will pay for it.


This is totally where I'm at. To make things worse, I took a few classes for my wife. Think she will give me those credits back..



I think a lot of us dream of something different. Definitely start that slow roll of classes. If I would have started 1 class a year I'd have a couple masters by now.

If work is paying for it, go for it.
I think you’re past the point of being indoctrinated. Hopefully.


Some people ask “why?”
Why not? It’s similar to climbing a mountain. It’s going to take hard work and dedication, but once you reach the top, you have that accomplishment. Some people won’t understand it, but hopefully they have their own accomplishment they want to strive for.

 

[monkeyswrench]

@wayniac , if work will pay for it, you have the time, and most importantly, you want to, go for it!
I wanted to when I was young, but couldn't afford to and be on my own. Now, if I get interested in a subject, I'll check out a book (yes, a mechanic with a library card). I'll also thumb through used books, and occasionally get them if the subject interests me.

 

[BajaT]

Rodney was up there in age!

 

[ChumpChange]

Why?

Co-ed intramurals primarily.

At some point you get too old where you have to be the head coach to get the co-eds.

 

[BHC Vic]

I’m 37 and going after mine. Slowly but surely

 

[CoolCruzin]

I don’t think anyone finishes school .
I’m alway learning something new .
Short classes needed to stay current on the lastest cad/ cam software.
If not school it’s buy the lastest book and self learn

 

[cofooter]

I got my Business MBA at 52, not sure it helped at all with any more promotions in my job, I got it mainly for Plan B if I ever needed to look for another job (I didn't), and it was paid for and I found the curriculum interesting

 

[PDQH2O]

Finished my Bachelors at 45 when my two kids were also in college. Got my MBA at 50 along with my oldest kid. Too late in the career for the degrees to be worth a whole lot. It was a personal goal and potential security, should I have needed to go job hunting.

While in my opinion it’s far better to get your degree(s) as early as possible, it NEVER TOO LATE to accomplish your goal.

 

[LazyLavey]

55... got the minimum units needed...... only did it to achieve max benefits prior to retirement...

 

[samsah33]

Don't forget that in CA you can get free tuition at a CSU school if you're 60+ and a CA resident...

 

[whiteworks]

I’m walking in a graduation ceremony next week with an AA, started at the local junior college 31 years ago. It was something I had started and stepped away from to go work, make money, have a family. It was just one of those things that I always thought I should complete, so I did. We’re in the home stretch of child rearing so it seems like a good time for me to explore some things that interest me, most likely transfer and finish off my undergrad in the not so distant future.

 

[Angler]

I’m thinking of getting my GED.

That'll come in handy one day...

 

[angiebaby]

I was 35 when I finally got my bachelor's. Because I wasn't focused at 17 years old, I just kinda wallowed around a bit for a few years at community college. Then got married at 19, baby at 21 . . . I took a couple of classes here and there, dropping half of them. Finally, at 30 years old I got my shit together. It still took 2 years for my associate's degree (walking in with 28 units) and 3 more for my bachelor's.

At 45, I decided to go back and get the master's. It took me 6 years, so I was 51. In hindsight, I should have taken an accelerated advanced degree in Education, but nooooooo, I want it to be in History It was brutal. The History Dept at University of Nevada, Reno thinks they are Oxford. It was incredibly rigorous. I'm talking 20-25 books (the ENTIRE book) a semester. That was for ONE course. That's why it took so long. There wasn't enough time in the week for me to take two courses alone, much less work also. And I know what you're thinking, just skim the books and BS your way through. No. First of all, because I love History, the books were interesting. Secondly, whatever books were assigned that week, be ready to come to class on Thursday night for a 4-hour discussion with 4-5 people and the professor regarding the book. No pre-assigned questions. You'll have to refer to the reading in your discussion. There is no way to bullshit your way through the 4 hour ordeal without everyone knowing. Long story short, don't take the History Master's Program in Reno. I worked through it, though, and have a book and a piece of paper to show for it.

@wayniac, if it's something you'd like to have, absolutely go for it. There will be some other old geezers in the room with you. You'll probably all sit together in the geriatric section. Best wishes.

 

[monkeyswrench]

As a Uof A graduate, I totally get it.

A friend's son went there on a Rodeo scholarship...studying medicine. Same kid was also shocked there was a "My Little Pony" club...

 

[Riverbound]

I finished my degree at 30.

 

[Flatsix66]

My wife and I both went back to night school together in our late 30's to get Computer Science degrees. We took most classes together throughout the program, kept each other motivated and focused. We were both good and bad at different skills, so we would help each other. Having the degree opened the door for me to qualify for that first management job, after that nobody ever asked for proof of a degree again and I kept moving up. My wife actually applied the skills learned from school at her job at a fortune 100 medical device company. Game changer for us.

 

[DLC]

Im 56
and JUST received a PHD from the School of Hard Knocks !

YOR - Never to old to learn something !

 

[kurtis500]

As a Uof A graduate, I totally get it.

Doesnt that community college go by another name now??

 

[530RL]

Doesnt that community college go by another name now??

No, that is ASU.

 

[Willie B]

…I know four or five people who are high school dropouts that have done way better in life than my friends with masters…

 

[MPHSystems]

My wife is working on a degree right now. That’s right, I’m railing a hot college girl.

 

[DRYHEAT]

Im 56
and JUST received a PHD from the School of Hard Knocks !

YOR - Never to old to learn something !


View attachment 1506283

I think I graduated from the same school with a secondary major in poor decision-making.