If you have college credits but haven’t finished your degree, you’re not alone, and you’re not behind. Many adults pause their education because life gets busy with work, family, financial responsibilities, or changing priorities.
The thought of returning to college as an adult while working can understandably feel overwhelming. But the truth is, bachelor’s degree completion programs are specifically designed for busy adult realities, setting you up for success from day one. Read on to discover the financial, professional, and personal benefits that make a college degree worth it for working adults.
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A degree completion program is an accelerated, flexible program designed for busy working adults who may have some college credits or an associate’s degree but have not yet completed their bachelor’s degree.
With a degree completion program, adult learners can build on the work they’ve already completed rather than starting from scratch to earn a four-year undergraduate degree.
Returning to college as an adult while working is a significant time commitment, so it can be helpful to reframe your fuller schedule as a short-term challenge that can unlock long-term career growth. For starters, it’s a win-win for you and your employer. What you learn in your bachelor’s degree completion program can be applied in real-time at work to strengthen team communication, decision-making skills, and organizational impact.
What’s more, the expertise you’ll gain will make you more qualified for leadership roles at your company, increasing your earning potential. If your goal is to pivot to a new company or industry, your experience balancing work and college signals to potential employers that you’re passionate about the field, self-motivated to set ambitious goals, and disciplined enough to follow through.
Plus, your employer might offer a tuition reimbursement program, making a degree completion program more accessible.
So, is a bachelor's degree worth it? It’s a fair question, considering that cost is often the biggest concern and one of the most important factors to evaluate.
While bachelor’s degree salaries vary by field, on average, workers with a bachelor’s degree tend to earn 37% more annually than those without a degree. Zooming out to see the bigger picture, a bachelor’s degree adds an average of $1 million or more in lifetime earnings compared to a high school diploma. And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for bachelor’s degree holders is lower, indicating greater job security.
In addition to higher earning potential, consider the professional and personal benefits of a bachelor’s degree:
If you’re wondering if you should go back to college, know that it’s never too late to invest in your future. You know you were made for more, and Calvin University can help you transform your ambition into action. We offer two bachelor’s degree completion options:
If you have approximately 60 credits or more you're ready to begin a degree completion program. Our team is ready to help you create a customized plan based on your prior learning and career goals. Both pathways follow a hybrid format, consisting of one weekly evening class on campus and asynchronous online courses during the summer.
At Calvin, faith informs ethical leadership, service, and respect for each individual’s calling and potential. By furthering your education, you can find deeper purpose in your own life and positively impact the community around you. To learn more, download our free guide: Finish What You Started: A Guide to Bachelor’s Degree Completion.