Is 30 too old to start college?

Question

I have been married for 8 years in August and have 2 young children. I spent 4 years in the military and since I got out 7 years ago have really done nothing fulfilling with my life as far as work since then. I plan on getting my bachelors in business and masters in education. I will have to work during this time and will almost be 40 when I am done. So what do you guys think. Serious answers only please.

To answer a few questions added by the very smart and insightful people who have given me answers.
1: I make a base salary of $35,000 a year and the anywhere from $5,000-$24,000 a year in bonuses.
2: My job is very unfulfilling.
3: I am choosing a bachelors in business to learn more about what I am doing to improve my current employment abilities and I am going for my Masters in education to give myself the ability to teach later in life.
Thank you all for your responses up to this point I will answer whatever other questions you may have.

Answer 1

You go for it. There is still a lot of life to live after 40. And the higher income you will be able to earn as a result of your degrees will allow you to live it more comfortably.

Education is sometimes wasted on the young in any case. I finished my first degree at 19, and I have to say that I really didn't appreciate it. I started my masters degree when I was 32 years old, and a single parent with two small kids - I really appreciated it. I had real goals and knew much better what I wanted out of life and why I was in school.

You will never regret getting your degrees. No one can ever take them away from you.

Answer 2

Here is the thing: going for an educational goal is definately a good and positive thing to do; realistically, the more you are bound with other commitments, the harder it will be for you to concentrate on studies. If you are going to do school, work and raise children all at the same time, then you are looking at 20 hour days and 4 hour sleeps and that can kill a man over ten years. If you can pull it off though, it will probably be the best accomplishment you can give yourself. I say go for it. Start small in a junior college fullfill your general eduaction requirements and then transfer into a four year university. This way you can break up the task in three smaller commitments. The first two-three years, AA with general ed, second two-three of years, Bachelors, and finally the last batch for your masters. You have good vantage points and its less daunting this way. Finally, people can only advise you on what and how to do it, but at the end of the day its your own personal experience that will dictate your higher educational goal. One way I look at it: people and money will come in and out of life, but knowledge is something that cant leave you or be taken away from you.

Answer 3

To answer your question, no it is not too old. There are no age restrictions on college admissions. But I believe your real question is slightly different. I think you're torn whether or not it is truly "worth it."
It all depends on what your goal is. If your goal is to make "the big bucks" and your degree will land you a job that doubles, triples, or even quadruples your current earning capacity, then it is probably worth it. If your goal is to open your own business then it might not be worth it (there are just as many successful business owners with no college degree than there are with.)
You have to look at this objectivly. What is your occupation now? How much do you make? If you stick with it, how much will you be making when you are 40?
What job would you get after you graduate? How much does that profession make? How much will is cost for your education?
Calcuate the return on investment (ROI) - [after all, your education is an investment]... are you much better off by going down the college route?

Answer 4

NO!! I am in college (I'm 23) and I would say the majority of my upper level classes are older than I am. A good 15% are older then my parents. Don't let age hold you back. They say that going to school later can be easier on you because you have had to deal with "real-life" already and know how to balance a schedule. When you are looking for a school look for one that has a non-traditional student-body. Out of curiosity, why business and education? But then again I am English and Psychology, so I can't really say anything. :)

Answer 5

When I separated from the military 6 months ago. The only thing I wanted to do was go back to college. I have 2 years left and its my biggest goal. I'm 27. Believe me, one of the biggest fears was my age. But, it actually works in my favor, Spring 06 semester I got a 3.5 GPA.

You'll know when to focus, and concentrate and the other classmates love listening to your life experiences. I attend a fairly large college and I still see students older than me.

The only thing you'll regret is not going. So go.

Answer 6

It's never too late. My husband was in the military for 10 years, has been working civilian for 10 years. He's 39 and he started college in the evenings last semester. If that is what you want absolutely GO FOR IT!!!!

Answer 7

No certainly not, more degrees you got the better job your gonna get hopefully with a better pay tht cant be bad, its a good thing! The more money can help you and your family, you copuld have a rest,relax for a few years after being in a military camp!

Answer 8

You can go to college at the age of 30. My mom who is forty went back to college. She got a bachelors in accounting.

Answer 9

you are never too old to start anything!!! if you dont go to college, you will still be the same age as if you went to college!!! and in this day and age, college education is best for job looking, and so what if it takes 10 years,,, good luck to you,, i wish i had the brains to go,, but i couldnt handle my daughters middle school classwork,, and i am not stupid!!!,,, math is way beyond my capabilities!!! i would hate to take a SAT test and see how dumb i am!!!!!!

Answer 10

Dear Abby has a great answer when asked a similar question: "How old will you be in 10 years if you don't do it?" Go for it man!!! You're going to age anyway might as well pursue your dream.