At the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the number of students enrolled in UCLA Extension has reached 33,500, surpassing even the 32,600 regular students. Notably, nearly 50% of these students are over the age of 35.

UCLA Extension currently offers over 90 training programs, ranging from interior design, accounting, legal studies, and music production to early childhood education, retirement planning classes, novel writing, and the art of Ikebana flower arrangement.

At Harvard Extension, the average age of students is 32. Most have over 10-12 years of work experience, and approximately 25% hold master's or doctoral degrees.

Higher education experts suggest that economic fluctuations and the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution have created a barrier of insecurity in the labor market. In this environment, professional certifications and degrees help middle-aged individuals maintain their career positions or transition to new professions more easily.

"New technologies are developing too quickly. For those who graduated just 5-10 years ago, their knowledge might already be somewhat outdated," said Eric Deschamps, director of continuing education programs at Northern Arizona University.

A 90-year-old woman graduated with a master's degree from the University of North Texas. *The University of North Texas*

However, income is not the sole motivator. Many individuals return to school to pursue their long-neglected passions. A significant number choose to delve into creative arts fields such as photography, music production, or writing.

Unlike younger students who are still exploring their paths, older learners often have clearer objectives. They view education as a long-term investment rather than a milestone to be completed.

Nevertheless, returning to the classroom often entails financial burdens and concerns about balancing studies with work and daily life. While tuition fees for short-term programs are typically lower than those for regular degree programs, they still represent a significant expense.

Consequently, many universities design flexible learning formats, including: online learning, hybrid (in-person and online) options, or accelerated classes. Some businesses also provide support to employees returning to their studies.

Katie Swavely, an assistant in student academic advising at UCLA, shared her experience of pursuing a master's degree in anthropology there 10 years after graduating from college and having two children.

"I felt like I didn't truly know who I was or what I wanted to do beyond earning money to pay bills and survive. We had to save and manage as much as possible," she recounted. Ultimately, thanks to tuition assistance sponsored by her company, Katie graduated with her master's degree in 2020.

By Hai Yen, compiled from AP News, Times of India, and Harvard Extension.