Should You Go Back to School? 7 Things to Consider

Going back to school can be an exciting endeavor—advancing your education can open new paths in your current career or offer a fresh start to a new career entirely. Beyond your career, it can also be personally rewarding. Explore this quick guide to help you navigate the process of going back to school as an adult.

If you’re ready to start earning your degree, enroll in Georgetown University’s Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies Completion Program. You’ll have the opportunity to complete your degree and specialize in business, tech, communications, politics, or interdisciplinary study. When you’ve finished, you’ll have had the opportunity to gain the skills you need to start your career.

Should I go back to school?

Whether your reasons for going back to school are personal or professional, several benefits of achieving a higher level of education may help you make your choice.

Professional benefits: With a degree, you can explore new jobs, change careers, or advance in your current one.

Financial benefits: A higher education level correlates with higher incomes. In the second quarter of 2025, those with a bachelor's degree or higher earned $1,732 or more in median weekly full-time wages and salary, compared with $960 per week for high school graduates [1]. Graduate degrees can stretch that number even further. Explore a breakdown of median weekly earnings by education level, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics [2]:

Learn more: 20 Highest-Paying Bachelor’s Degree Jobs

Achieving your personal goals: If you’ve always wanted to get a higher degree or finish one you started in the past, going back to school can be a source of personal satisfaction and achieving your career goals. Furthering your education can also help you discover new passions, grow more independent, and meet new types of people. Whatever the reason, be sure to think through your decision to ensure you’ll be making the best choice for yourself.

Is a degree worth it?

Attaining a degree is an investment, but several signs point to the long-term financial benefits if you complete one. Learn more about whether a bachelor's degree is worth it or whether a master's degree is worth it.

Going back to school: 7 things to consider

Choosing to return to school to finish a bachelor's degree or pursue a master's degree can feel like a big decision. As you consider whether going back to school is the right move for you, ask yourself these seven questions:

1. Will this help me in my career or help me switch careers?

Going back to get your master’s degree or bachelor’s degree can connect to higher earnings over your lifetime or be the first step in switching careers. If you’re going back to school for career impact, you’ll want to make sure your field of study is relevant to the work you want to do.

2. How will this impact my finances?

While the financial benefits of getting a degree have been well-recorded, school can still be expensive. Having a plan to pay for your education can save you headaches down the road.

The price of higher education can vary depending on several factors. Is the school private or public, in-state or out-of-state, online or in-person? How much financial aid can you expect to receive? Evidence suggests that public, in-state, and online schools are cheaper than their counterparts.

Don’t put off applying for financial aid. Several scholarships specifically for returning adults can help offset the costs. Plus, you can apply for federal aid for both undergraduate and graduate programs—get started by completing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

3. Do other options make more sense to me?

Some careers don’t have specific degree requirements. Other options, like Professional Certificates and online courses, can equip you with the skills needed to switch careers or satisfy your curiosity.

• Professional Certificates: Professional Certificates are credentials that can open doors to careers that don’t call for specific degrees and often don’t require any previous related experience. Some will prepare you for in-demand jobs by teaching you new skills, like data analysis or IT support.

• Online courses: Online courses can introduce you to new subjects or offer targeted instruction in a skill area you want to improve. Trying to become a web developer? Try a course on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or Python. Or try a course in psychology or statistics. Online courses are plentiful, and chances are high that you can find one on a subject you're interested in. They can also be a good way to ensure you like a subject before committing to a full degree.

• Boot camps: Boot camps are short, intensive programs designed to quickly get you specific skills, typically in a few weeks or months. Though perhaps associated with coding classes, boot camps exist for a variety of other fields, like UI/UX design, data science, and graphic design. If you already have a degree but are trying to switch to a new field or want to enter a field that doesn't require a degree, they can be quicker and often cheaper than getting a degree.

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4. What should I go back to college for?

What you choose to study can depend on why you’re returning to school. If you’re returning for a career change, finding what job areas are growing in your desired career area can be a good idea. This may help you land in a field where jobs are more readily available, and your skills are in demand. If you’re going back to school to fulfill your personal goals or learn something new, this aspect may not be as high a priority.

5. Do I want to go online or in person?

Online and in-person schooling both have their merits. Online degrees can offer more flexibility and allow you to access schools and professors that are geographically far, often at a lower cost than in-person equivalents. You likely won’t have to worry about relocating and will have more flexibility to stay in your job or care for your family.

In-person schooling, on the other hand, can allow for more structure, and face-to-face interaction with peers and professors can benefit those who prioritize it.

6. Full-time or part-time?

A part-time schedule can be helpful if you hope to avoid disrupting your current life situation. Part-time programs exist for both in-person and online schools.

A full-time schedule can mean pausing your current job, but you’ll probably be able to finish your degree faster. Think about what’s needed in your situation.

7. How should I pick a school?

Cost, reputation, program quality, networking opportunities, location, and flexibility can all influence your decision to attend a school.

A regional or national organization should accredit an online school, guaranteeing a quality baseline. Some online programs have entirely pre-recorded lectures (called “asynchronous” classes), while others feature live sessions. Additionally, university faculty teach some courses, while teachers hired by the school specifically for online courses may teach others. Programs may offer hands-on projects or robust alumni networks. Think about what you want from your online degree and see if the programs you’re interested in stack up.

Should I pick a school based on its ranking?

A school with a good reputation can impress employers and be a sign of quality education. That said, chasing after big names can make you miss out on great programs at other schools that have departments that are just as good, or even better, than programs at highly ranked schools. A school located in a specific area may also have better connections to local employers.

Stay in the loop on career trends and tips

Before deciding whether to return to school, consider these helpful resources that can guide your decision:

• Learn about career transitions: See what it takes to switch careers—for example, moving into a career in artificial intelligence (AI).

• Take a quiz: What Career Is Right for Me?

• Watch on YouTube: High Pay, Low Pressure: 10 Career Paths to Explore

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