What Is a Nontraditional Student?

• Nearly three-fourths of U.S. college students can be considered nontraditional.
• The nontraditional student definition isn’t set in stone and varies across institutions.
• Challenges facing nontrads today include high tuition costs and balancing school and work.
• Prospective nontrads should prioritize colleges offering flexibility and affordability.

If asked to describe the typical college student, most people would probably think of a young adult who lives on campus and pays for their tuition with help from their parents.

But not all college students look like this. In fact, nontraditional students, or those who differ from the traditional student image, make up the majority of postsecondary students in the U.S. A 2015 study by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) concluded that 74% of college students could be considered nontraditional.

So what exactly does this mean? The answer is more complicated than you may think.

Nontraditional Student Definition

There’s no easy way to define a nontraditional student. While some colleges consider all students above a certain age nontraditional, others look at factors such as income level, marital status, or whether a student earned a high school diploma.

NCES defines a nontraditional college student using three main criteria:

Enrollment Patterns

When and how you enroll at a college can determine whether you’re a traditional or nontraditional student. Those who enroll one or more years after graduating from high school or those who attend college on a part-time basis are considered nontraditional.

Financial and Family Status

Traits relating to family and money that NCES considers nontraditional include having one or more dependent children, being a single parent, working a full-time job while in school, or being financially independent.

High School Graduation Status

If you received a GED certificate or other high school equivalency diploma instead of a regular high school diploma, you would count as a nontraditional college student.

If you meet at least one of the above criteria, you’ll fall under the nontraditional student umbrella in the eyes of the U.S. government.

But many schools have their own definitions of nontraditional students. Whereas some colleges maintain stricter criteria, others permit students to self-identify as nontraditional.

In addition to the three categories listed above, here are some factors that institutions and organizations have used to determine nontraditional student status:

• Commute Time to Campus: Students who commute a particular distance to campus, such as more than 10 miles, may be considered nontraditional.
• Living Situation: Some schools consider all students who do not live on campus or in university housing nontraditional.
• Age: Typically, students who start college at age 25 or older are labeled nontraditional.
• College Experience: Those who went to college previously but did not complete their degree are often considered nontraditional transfer students.
• Family History: Though less common, a school may refer to first-generation college students as nontraditional students.
• Income: If you or your family makes under a certain amount of money each year, your school may categorize you as a nontraditional student.

Ultimately, the school you attend will determine whether you are a nontraditional student or not.

Key Challenges Facing Nontraditional Students

Nontraditional college students often face more challenges than traditional students. Below are some of the biggest hurdles nontraditional students must work to overcome.