AAACE 2021 Annual Conference

Ageism, women, college student, adult

College student's age at first enrollment is moving past the traditional age of 18 with a majority identifying as female. Age, a noticeable feature, resulting in adult students being perceived as parents or faculty and staff. Internal and external ageist attitudes are detrimental for students persistence, retention and completion. 

According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (December 17, 2020) the average age at enrollment for all Institutes of Higher Education (IHE) undergraduate students age range is between 21.9 years to 26.8 years while graduate students range between 29.7 years to 34.8 years. With the continued increase of female college students, their average age for undergraduate enrollment is 24 years and graduate 32 years (National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, December 2020). While age is the determining factor to distinguish between a traditional and non-traditional student, age can be factor in persistence, retention and completion. In Bennett’s dissertation (2019) on female college students 35 years and older resulted in exposure of internal and external ageism represented by mistaken identity, hidden resources not discussed during orientation and a need to give self-permission to be a college student. Ageist attitudes toward adult student limits their ability to access needed classes, services, and resources to be successful. The dearth of research on ageism and college students limits the ability to address issues that impact access, persistence, retention, and completion.