Nontraditional student

Nontraditional student is a term that refers to a category of students at colleges and universities. The term originated in North America and usually involves age and social characteristics. Nontraditional students are contrasted with traditional students.

The United States Department of Education estimated that 73% of all undergraduates in the United States attending accredited institutions in 1999–2000 had one or more nontraditional characteristics. This remained consistent in the following years: 72% in 2003–2004, 72% for 2007–2008, and 74% for 2011–2012.