The Inland Empire’s economic future depends on helping more adults return to college and complete a postsecondary credential. Although California’s labor market increasingly requires education beyond high school, only 34% of working-age adults in the Inland Empire hold a postsecondary degree, and nearly 700,000 adults have some college experience but no degree. 

To better understand what adult learners need to succeed, Growing Inland Achievement conducted a two-part study focused on Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The study gathered insights from adults ages 25 to 50 who were considering college enrollment , while also assessing how local colleges and universities communicate their adult learner supports, policies, and programs. 

The findings show that returning to college is a complex risk assessment shaped by financial uncertainty, work schedules, caregiving responsibilities, confusing college processes, and concerns about confidence and belonging. Adult learners called for more flexible course options, clearer financial aid information, proactive advising, dedicated re-entry support, childcare resources, and campus environments where they feel visible and supported. 

The report also highlights a visibility gap: while Inland Empire institutions have important foundations in place, the supports adults need most are not always easy to find, understand, or act on. Addressing these barriers will require coordinated action across colleges, employers, community organizations, workforce partners, and policymakers. By aligning postsecondary systems with the realities of working adults and student parents, the Inland Empire can strengthen re-enrollment, persistence, and completion while advancing long-term mobility and regional prosperity.