Is Going Back to School
Worth It?
BY Office of Marketing and Communications | 6 MIN READ
The idea of going back to school can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Whether you’re juggling a career, a family or simply wondering if the investment is worth it, you’re not alone.
The good news? For many working professionals, returning to school can be a powerful move—one with many benefits such as opening doors to new opportunities, higher salaries and personal growth.
If you’re asking yourself, “Is going back to school worth it?”—here’s why the answer is often a resounding yes. The following are all strong reasons why going back to school is worth it:
1. Career Advancement
One of the biggest reasons adults return to school is to advance their careers. Whether you’re aiming for a promotion, transitioning to a new industry or enhancing your leadership skills, additional education can give you a competitive edge. In today’s job market, many employers expect candidates to have at minimum a bachelor’s or sometimes even a master’s degree to move into management or strategic roles.
According to an article from Harvard Business School Online, leadership skills are one of the main reasons to return to school to enhance your skill set. The article recommends online courses or specifically courses with interactive activities to help you build skills and confidence.
2. Increased Earning Potential
Data shows that advanced levels of education often correlate with higher earnings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with a bachelor’s degree earn significantly more on average than those with only a high school diploma. According to the BLS, in the first quarter of 2025, full-time workers aged 25 and over with a bachelor’s degree had median weekly earnings of $1,754, while those with only a high school diploma earned $953 per week. This shows that while tuition is an investment, the long-term return can more than pay off.
3. Personal and Professional Fulfillment
Going back to school isn’t just about career goals—it’s also a transformative experience on a personal level and growing as an individual. Many adult learners find renewed confidence, a sense of accomplishment and expanded perspectives from engaging in coursework and collaborating with peers. They describe the experience as empowering and motivating: a chance to prove something to themselves, reignite a passion for learning and finally check off advancing their education off their wish list. Earning your degree can inspire feelings of purpose and pride that extend far beyond receiving a diploma when it’s all said and done.
Research from Strada Education Foundation shows that students reported achieving increased confidence, improved well-being and overall greater satisfaction with their lives in general. Earning their education helped improve their income, accomplish their goals and they found going to school was worth it. This kind of change doesn’t just impact your career—it positively affects your mindset, relationships and self-view.
4. Versatile Programs That Fit Your Life
Thanks to online or hybrid programs, going back to school as an adult is now more achievable than ever. Many programs are designed with working professionals in mind, offering evening classes, part-time options and asynchronous learning in addition to traditional in-person course sequences. This makes it possible to earn your degree while balancing work and family responsibilities. According to Harvard Extension School, 65% of institutions report that online learning is critical to their long-term strategic plans. There are many reasons why flexible learning works so well for students, including:
- Scheduling flexibility
- Easy-to-use technologies that facilitate collaboration
- Countless career-boosting course options
The number of students choosing flexible course options continues to grow. These formats allow students to manage coursework on their own schedules, often without needing to commute or sacrifice income. The takeaway? You don’t have to put your life on hold to earn your degree. The right program will meet you where you are—and help you move forward.
5. Building a Professional Network
Higher education isn’t just about the classroom—it’s also about who you meet along the way.
According to an article by Rider University, being have ‘student status’ can be a strong benefit to building and maintaining a professional network. Your professors, peers and other on-campus resources can help you find resources and take important steps towards establishing yourself as a professional, such as:
- Establish your career and networking goals
- Build an online presence
- Create an elevator pitch
- Attend relevant industry or networking events
- Make good use of your connections, old and new
- Stay in touch
Your classmates, instructors and alumni connections can become a valuable professional network, offering insights, mentorship and even job opportunities in the future.
6. Setting An Example for Your Family and Community
Going back to school isn’t just a personal decision—it’s often a statement of values. For many adult learners, pursuing a degree is about showing their children, family or community what is possible with hard work and determination. It sends a clear message: it’s never too late to grow, learn and invest in yourself.
In fact, studies from organizations like the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) show that when parents pursue postsecondary education, it positively influences their children’s educational aspirations and achievements. Children of college-going parents are more likely to view higher education as an attainable and worthwhile goal.
Even beyond the home, your decision to return to school can inspire colleagues, friends and others in your circle to pursue their own goals—creating a ripple effect of motivation and momentum.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you want to turn your ambition into action and explore how going back to school can elevate your career, the Elmhurst Management Program (EMP) at Elmhurst University offers a flexible, supportive pathway to earning your bachelor’s degree in business administration—without putting your life on hold.
With evening courses, a streamlined schedule and a focus on strategic leadership, ethical decision-making and global business insight, the EMP helps build your leadership skills, advance your career and achieve your goals. Designed for adult learners and working professionals, you’ll learn in close-knit cohorts of motivated peers from expert faculty who bring real-world business expertise to every lesson. Elmhurst also offers robust transfer credit support and a dedicated advising team to help you stay on track from day one to graduation.
Whether you’re looking to lead, grow or finish what you started, the EMP program is here to help you achieve your goals. Find out more at elmhurst.edu/EMP.
