Adult learners and traditional age freshmen: Comparing the “new” pool with the “old” pool of students

First year adult learners (23 years of age and older) from a residential campus and an urban commuter campus and traditional age (17–20 years of age) freshmen were compared on a variety of demographic variables. Many of the commonly held assumptions about older students visà-vis younger students were substantiated. In general, adult learners at the residential campus comprised a distinct group unlike commuter campus adult learners and traditional age freshmen. Implications and suggestions for additional research are discussed.