How They Pay: The Voices of Adult Learners on College Affordability, and How Institutions are Responding. A CAEL Research Report

As student loans, the cost of college tuition, and even value of higher education remain at the forefront of public discussion, one thing remains true: Affordability is central to adult learners' academic success, and money is one of the primary reasons why adult learners stop out before they graduate. This report takes a deep dive into the experiences of adult learners as they finance their education. It gives voice to adult learners and how their previous experiences with postsecondary financing help shape decisions on their current and future studies. Key takeaways include: (1) adult learners' perspectives on financing their education are often formed by their previous experiences; (2) respondents with the highest average loan debt in our survey are the ones who can least afford it; (3) adult learners who stop out mostly do so for "nonacademic" reasons; and (4) employer tuition assistance (TAP) is hugely beneficial. The report offers recommendations for institutions and policymakers -- and even employers -- on how to better support adult learners in their pursuit of postsecondary education. [This report received funding from the Truist Foundation. For the Executive Summary, see ED629543.]