Stepping back into the world of education might seem daunting, but remember, every great journey begins with a single step—and you're already on your way.
Your plan includes:
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Typical earnings for bachelor’s degree holders are 84% higher than those whose highest degree is a high school diploma.
College graduates on average make $1.2 million more over their lifetime.
College graduates are half as likely to be unemployed as their peers who only have a high school degree.
Association of Public and Land Grant Universities
Something like 25 percent of entry-level jobs will be automated in the next 25 years, and so it’s likely many jobs that don’t require a bachelor’s will be eclipsed by AI or technological automation.
A college degree gives you a broad set of experiences and skills, and if or when you are replaced by a robot, or your position is diminished by new technology, with a degree you will be more nimble and better able to find another position compared to someone who hasn’t developed those skills and earned a bachelor’s degree.
Ben Cater, Ph.D.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the gateway to a multitude of financial aid options. By completing it, you become eligible for federal grants, work-study programs, and loans. Plus, many states and colleges use FAFSA data to award their own financial aid.
Appily’s Scholarship search tool is the nation’s largest, multi-billion dollar scholarship database. After you create a free account, you can narrow down your options and apply to any scholarships that interest you within the tool.
Approximately 85% of full-time undergraduate students who file the FAFSA receive some kind of financial aid, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reports that while it varies from year to year, on average, between 45-55% of employers offer tuition assistance.
Appily; NCES; SHRM
Finding ways to cover tuition and other college costs is important — but you may also consider these ways to decrease the amount that needs covering.
The nation’s largest, multi-billion dollar scholarship database can help you discover funding opportunities that you don’t have to pay back.
If you participated in military service, workplace training programs, apprenticeships, standardized exams, or other types of experiential learning outside the college classroom, you could receive college credit recommendations or validated competencies through Learning Evaluation.
CLEP exams let you test out of introductory courses and move to more advanced courses sooner, saving time toward your degree.
Careers in Art and Design merge passion with profession, allowing for creative expression while securing financial stability. The roles we've curated are in tune with contemporary trends, ensuring that your artistic talents find a rewarding outlet and recognition in the commercial realm through a specialized bachelor's degree.
Job responsibilities: Creates visual content to communicate messages for various media.
Why pursue this career: A wise choice given the importance of visual branding and digital content.
Related degrees: Bachelor's in Graphic Design or Bachelor's in Visual Arts
Job responsibilities: Enhances user satisfaction by improving the usability and accessibility of a product.
Why pursue this career: A smart choice because of the focus on customer experience in product development.
Related degrees: Bachelor's in User Experience Design or Bachelor's in Graphic Design
Job responsibilities: Plans and designs indoor spaces to be functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Why pursue this career: A stable choice due to the continual need for residential and commercial design.
Related degrees: Bachelor's in Interior Design
Job responsibilities: Oversees the visual style and images in magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and film and television productions.
Why pursue this career: A prudent choice given the demand for compelling visual narratives in media and advertising.
Related degrees: Bachelor's in Fine Arts or Bachelor's in Art Direction
Job responsibilities: Creates animation and visual effects for television, movies, video games, and other forms of media.
Why pursue this career: A smart choice due to the entertainment industry's expansion and the increasing demand for digital content.
Related degrees: Bachelor's in Multimedia Arts or Bachelor's in Animation
Median salary for art and design jobs, ranging from $33K to $105K
Overall employment growth in art and design jobs in the next decade
Openings in art and design jobs projected each year over the next decade
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The world of art and design fuses creativity with functionality, producing visual masterpieces that resonate. While often perceived as purely passion-driven, degrees in this sector can lead to thriving careers in various industries, from digital media to architecture.
Prepares students for careers in advertising, branding, and digital media design.
Example Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design
With the rise of digital media and gaming, animators are in high demand.
Example Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Animation
Focuses on creating functional and aesthetic interior spaces and can lead to roles with architectural firms or freelance opportunities.
Example Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design
Returning to school as an adult can feel overwhelming, but breaking the process down into manageable steps can help alleviate some of that anxiety. Here’s a good place to start:
Remember, every challenge has a solution, and institutions are increasingly tailoring their services to accommodate non-traditional students. Taking the first step might be daunting, but resources and support are available to help you navigate your journey back to education.
Applying to college as an adult can be a different experience than applying straight out of high school, but the core steps remain similar.
Creating a well-structured application timeline is crucial for managing the college application process effectively, especially for adult learners who often juggle multiple responsibilities. Here's a sample timeline you can reference:
Remember, this timeline is a general guide. Adjust it based on your personal circumstances and the specific requirements of the programs you're applying to.