A recent Study.com survey among the growing population of U.S. adults with some college and no credential revealed 52% of those under 35 years old plan to re-enroll as part of their New Year's resolutions, significantly higher than the 30% of all survey respondents. Of those under 35 who plan to re-enroll, 55% of those are driven to complete their degree while nearly 18% are motivated to advance their careers or increase their earning potential.

The decision to stop out of college is taking an emotional and financial toll on the more than 40 million Americans with some credit, no credential – especially among the under 35 set. College financial burden continues to be a primary reason why students withdraw with more than 75% of younger respondents (those under 35 years old) reporting that debt is a significant factor to stop attending college. Academic stress is another factor as impactful as finances, with nearly 72% of younger respondents reporting that they stopped taking courses due to stress and anxiety.

Key Findings

Emotional and Psychological Impact:

• Nearly 50% of younger respondents feel disappointed in themselves for stopping out, with 30% saying their self-confidence was negatively impacted.

• 65% of those under 35 also report having experienced negative social interactions or stigma due to not completing their degrees.

• 73% of younger respondents are likely to re-enroll in college if they feel more confident in themselves.

Financial Burden:

• Nearly 43% of younger respondents are discouraged by past debt experiences.

• 46% of those under 35 say their experience with college debt has made them more cautious about borrowing more.

Designed to Save Money and Build Confidence

"Study.com courses are designed to build confidence and make complex concepts easy to understand through short form, engaging content," explained Laura Dansbury, VP of Product Management, Study.com. "Our courses empower students with knowledge and skills, and help meet the needs of those who most need support, such as first-generation college students and those from underserved populations. Since we introduced our college courses, we've helped to save students more than $475 million in tuition costs."

Study.com continues to build on its commitment to provide life-changing education solutions to learners across the country by offering to pay off college debt of four lucky students through its College Debt Payoff program. Now through January 31, 2025, learners can share the story of their educational journey and the obstacles they've overcome via video for a chance to win up to $10,000 towards their student loan debt.