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Non-Traditional Students   Fact 1 · Fact 2 · Fact 3

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A substantial proportion of independent college students are 25 or older or attend college part-time.

Fact 1 - Enrollment of Non-Traditional Students
Contrary to popular perception, a substantial proportion of independent college students are 25 or older (44 percent), attend part-time (29 percent), or work while attending college (78 percent).

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Fact 2 - Education For All Age Groups
Older, non-traditional students make up a higher proportion of the enrollments at independent colleges and universities. For example, adults aged 25 and over account for 38 percent of student enrollments at private, four-year colleges and universities, compared to 30 percent at public, four-year institutions.

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Fact 3 - New York Data
Approximately one in four or 80,000 full- and part-time undergraduates enrolled at New York State independent colleges and universities are considered “non-traditional” students. Non-traditional students are as likely to choose a four-year private college or university as a public institution to pursue their education.

Source: Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, The Independent Sector, Spring 2005, Vol. 5 No. 2

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Related Materials

These materials reference the themes and topics addressed in the above facts and data, serving as a helpful resource on how presidents and others are making the case for independent higher education.

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