This comprehensive report by Lightcast delves into the significant advantages and challenges of adult education in the U.S., focusing on how returning to higher education can impact career mobility and salary outcomes. Based on an extensive analysis of over 125 million social profile records, the report underscores the positive economic returns for adult learners who re-engage with higher education, particularly highlighting a substantial increase in upward mobility and average annual salary.
Main Takeaways:
- Economic Benefits for Adult Learners: Adults returning to higher education experience a 140% larger increase in average annual salary and a 22% greater chance of upward mobility compared to those who do not return to school.
- Impact on Public and Private Institutions: Adult learners tend to have better mobility outcomes when they attend public institutions compared to private or for-profit ones. The expansion of remote learning has opened new opportunities for public institutions to compete more effectively for this demographic.
- Field-Specific Outcomes: Degrees in technical fields such as engineering and health lead to greater upward mobility for adult learners compared to more general fields like business or psychology.
- Demographic and Industry Insights: The report provides a detailed breakdown of the industries and demographics of adult learners, indicating that adult education positively impacts a wide range of industries beyond traditional expectations.
- Policy Implications: The findings suggest that higher education institutions should increase efforts to enroll and support adult learners, particularly through tailored program offerings and flexible learning options to accommodate their distinct needs.