>Higher education is structured for students going from high school to their institutions. They also assume students don't have full time employment or a family

>Higher education is structured for students going from high school to their institutions. They also assume students don't have full time employment or a family. So basically if you have either of In the US, Depending on your state this might not be true. Many of the 'Elite' schools are absolutely as you describe, but many of the state schools do cater to adult learners. This is particularly true in states which separate their Research Universities from their more teaching oriented Universities. Most of the latter do have night classes and other offerings aimed at adult learners. But the private universities with dreams of grandeur are looking mostly for the "traditional college student"