How old is too old for anyone to be a student?

Age is not just a number — this much is clear from the latest events arising from this year’s US presidential election.

It’s got everyone talking about age, aging and for us in the education sector, things like mature student age, the average age of MBAs and PhD age.

Over the weekend, US President Joe Biden officially announced that he would be dropping out of the 2024 election race, and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to succeed him as the Democratic Party candidate. 

The decision to back out came after weeks of increasingly vocal criticism on Biden’s fitness for office due to his age.

In his recent appearances – such as the presidential debate – critics described his slip-ups and verbal stumbles as “calamitous.” The reason was his advanced age of 81.

Trump himself is not far behind either, coming in at the ripe old age of 78 – making these two  the oldest candidates to vy for the US presidency. 

For the Democratic Party, at least, they’ve decided that 81 is too old for anyone to run and become a president.

But what about going back to school or working in other occupations?

Think of it as ageing like fine wine. Source: AFP

Is there an age limit to education?

Some university students are a little older than most. We call these people mature students. Typically, it means students over 21 years old at the beginning of their undergraduate studies, or over 25 for postgraduate degrees. 

Over half of mature students are between 21 and 24, and 40% of them are over 30.

Not everyone has the opportunity to go to college and university at a young age, and some may only be able to afford it in their late 20s or 30s – or even older. Some take a break to work between high school and university, or some may even choose to change their academic path halfway through. 

Depending on the mature student age group, some may even be returning to university to pursue postgraduate or doctoral qualifications as part of their career progression.

There are even degrees catered towards mature students, such as the Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes and flexible, part-time courses that can be done from anywhere in the world. 

The average age of full-time undergraduate students is 22.4, while graduate students have an age average above 30. For example, the average age of a PhD student is approximately 31.5, while the MBA average age ranges from mid 20s to early 30s. 

What these stats show is that many are going to university after their 20s — and for some, even after many decades after their youth. 

Age comes with wisdom, just like a towering tree withstanding the natural elements. Source: AFP

Mature student age: Some of the oldest graduates in history

Although most universities consider anyone over 21 to be a mature-age student, there are those who are much, much, older.

Just take a look at some of these mature student age groups – some of them graduated past 80, 90, and even 100 years old. Most people don’t even live to those ages.

In some wholesome and inspiring news today, a 101-year-old Sarah Simpkins plans to graduate college in the US alongside her granddaughter

She returned to education 81 years after dropping out of university due to falling pregnanthttps://t.co/9fiikTHGoe

— Metro (@MetroUK) December 23, 2023

Sarah Simpkins

When the late Sarah Simpkins was young, she had to drop out of Allen University after she got pregnant. But even after having 12 children, she never stopped dreaming about continuing her degree. And at the glorious age of 102, her wish came true. 

Virginia’s Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974 allows senior citizens to enrol in higher education at no cost. Simpkins took full advantage of this, even moving from New York to Virginia at age 96 to live with her granddaughter, who was a fellow student.

In May 2024, Simpkins graduated successfully with a degree in early childhood education from Brightpoint Community College.

What made this even more special was the fact that she graduated alongside her granddaughter. 

“I feel very wild,” Simpkins said. “I feel very grateful to God for letting me do whatever I do. Thank you, God.”

Simpkins passed peacefully one month later, after attending a church service that celebrated 2024 graduates. She was able to don her cap and gown one last time.

 

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Minnie Payne

After graduating high school in 1950, Minnie Payne wasn’t quite ready to hang up her academic career yet. Unfortunately, she was born into poverty in South Carolina, and her uneducated parents did not understand the value of higher education. 

Payne then worked in various jobs across several industries, including as a court reporter, a transcriptionist, and even as a substitute teacher. But after retiring, she still yearned to do something constructive with her life, and put her love of writing to good use.

She joined Texas Woman’s University, intending to pursue journalism. Payne took advantage of a programme allowing TWU, University of North Texas and Texas A&M University-Commerce students to take courses at all three universities.

At 73, Payne successfully graduated from TWU. 

But this wasn’t the end of her journey. She was determined to stay active and immediately started working as a writer and editor before choosing to pursue her master’s degree. 

In 2023, Payne earned her master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies at 90 years old. She is officially the oldest student from UNT to complete her coursework and graduate successfully.

“A Dream Come True:” 99-year-old Doreetha Daniels graduates from college http://t.co/Gaoz4Vq9Y3 pic.twitter.com/LsuYuai4Ox

— NewsOne (@newsone) June 8, 2015

Doreetha Daniels

Some of us have great ambitions to achieve before we turn a certain age. For some, it could be going overseas for a holiday before 20, or losing 10 kilos before turning 30.

For the late Doreetha Daniels, it was earning a college degree before she turned 100 years old. 

When Daniels was young, she originally set her sights on a nursing degree, but to her dismay, the programme was not accepting out-of-state students.

She then worked for aerospace manufacturer McDonnell Douglas, met and married her husband, and settled down in Agua Dulce, California, where they raised two sons. But seven decades later, she grew bored.

Daniel’s grandchildren, who were going back to school for advanced degrees at the time, inspired her to earn one as well. In 2009, she began taking classes at the College of the Canyons.

Her journey wasn’t without its struggles. She had a minor stroke at 97, lost her driver’s license, and struggled with mastering computer skills needed in modern academics.

But her battle was hard fought and won – two years later, she graduated with her associate’s degree in social sciences, and succeeded in fulfilling her wish.

“A Dream Come True:” 99-year-old Doreetha Daniels graduates from college http://t.co/Gaoz4Vq9Y3 pic.twitter.com/LsuYuai4Ox

— NewsOne (@newsone) June 8, 2015

Nola Ochs

The late Nola Ochs was famous for many things. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees at an advanced age, was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest college graduate, and was the face of the famous Senior Freshman Meme.

Growing up, her life was ordinary – she married, had children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. She taught in rural schools and mostly lived a quiet life. But after her husband passed away in 1962, Ochs decided to return to college at Fort Hays State. 

Ochs completed the full package – a comprehensive course, lived in student housing, and even completed all her work on a computer. She was just like any other student, barring the fact that she was in her late 70 and media famous for her feats. She even turned down an invitation to appear on the Oprah Winfrey show just to prepare for her finals.

In 2007, Ochs received her associate degree at age 95 alongside her granddaughter. But she wasn’t finished just yet. She lived in the student dorms and got her master’s degree in liberal studies with an emphasis on history three years later, at age 98.

Of course, Ochs didn’t just study history – she made it. She officially held the Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest college graduate at that time. 

 

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Shigemi Hirata

Shigemi Hirata, who received his Bachelor of Arts degree at the age of 96 years and 200 days, is currently the Guinness World Record holder for the oldest graduate in the world. 

Born in Hiroshima Prefecture, Hirata enlisted in the Navy during World War II, and then worked in a hospital after the war. After retiring and becoming a pensioner, he took up pottery as a hobby, which piqued his interest in pursuing a degree in ceramic arts.

Hirata joined Kyoto University of Art and Design in 2005, when he was 85 years old.

While he attended classes at campus, he spent more time learning at home at his own pace. He completed the programme in 11  years.

During this time, he was reportedly a celebrity on campus – students would call out to him and greet him. 

“My next goal is to live until 100,” he said jokingly. “If I’m still in good shape at the time, I will consider going to graduate school!”