Can You Continue School Over 21 Years Old Max Age Limit to Be in High School

Maybe you are someone who, for various reasons, may have been unable to graduate high school at 18, or never got the chance to do so, or are just curious—27 million adults in the United States without a high school diploma (source). In any of these cases, you may be interested in knowing just how old you can be without being disqualified from attending high school.

The maximum age at which anybody can attend high school is usually 21 years old in the United States. However, some states allow people to participate in high school after this age, and most states offer the possibility for individuals to obtain the equivalent of a high school diploma after 21.

If you would like to know the specifics of which states will pay for your high school education earlier or later than 21 years old or which states offer the opportunity to get a GED, then read on to find out!

How Long is Your State Required to Provide Free Education?

Most states do not allow an adult past the age of 21 is allowed to physically attend high school with those 18 years of age or younger. The only exceptions are:

• Indiana
• Massachusetts
• Ohio
• South Carolina
• Texas
• West Virginia

This exception also extends to some states that technically do not have an age cap or where the local school district sets this regulation. It is worth noting that some states provide free high school or its equivalent for those older than 21.

State	Maximum Age Limit for Free Education
Alabama	17
Alaska	20
Arizona	21
Arkansas	21
California	21
Colorado	21
Connecticut	21
Delaware	21
District of Colombia	No Maximum Age Limit
Florida	Not Determined at State Level
Georgia	19
Hawaii	20
Idaho	21
Illinois	21
Indiana	22
Iowa	21
Kansas	No Maximum Age Limit
Kentucky	21
Louisiana	20
Maine	20
Maryland	21
Massachusetts	22
Michigan	20
Minnesota	21
Mississippi	21
Missouri	21
Montana	19
Nebraska	21
Nevada	21
New Hampshire	21
New Jersey	20
New Mexico	Not Determined at State Level
New York	21
North Carolina	21
North Dakota	21
Ohio	22
Oklahoma	21
Oregon	19
Pennsylvania	21
Rhode Island	21
South Carolina	22
South Dakota	21
Tennessee	Not Determined at State Level
Texas	26
Utah	Not Determined at State Level
Vermont	No Maximum Age Limit
Virginia	20
Washington	21
West Virginia	22
Wisconsin	20
Wyoming	21

(source)

In many cases, even states allowing adults to attend high school past the age of 18, like Texas, for instance, will not legally allow those same students to share classrooms and other facilities with those 18 or younger. Instead, schools provide different facilities for these adult students or arrange for them to take night classes.

In truth, when someone is past the maximum age limit in the state where they reside, their only real option for continued high school education is a GED or another similar high school equivalency exam.

What is the GED?

GED stands for General Educational Development Test. The GED is essentially the equivalent of a high school diploma. In other words, almost every university and job that requires a high school diploma in the US will accept a GED instead of a diploma. The GED tests four different areas of knowledge, namely:

• Mathematical Reasoning
• Science
• Social Studies
• Reasoning Through Language Arts

Each of these areas allows you to demonstrate that you have the same level of knowledge as someone who has attended high school traditionally.

To take the GED, you must be older than 15 and not currently enrolled in High School. Keep in mind that some states and localities offer the ability to drop out of High School earlier than 18 years of age and take a GED or equivalent exam instead of continuing their conventional education. Again, though, laws about doing so vary. In addition, some districts offer the ability to test out of various class credits instead of taking them for real. Essentially, it is a way of accelerating through high school.

Most employers will accept the GED as a technical equivalent to a high school diploma. However, there is some stigma associated with earning a GED instead of a diploma, which may make being hired for some higher-paying jobs more complicated, though not impossible (source).

Which States Offer the GED?

Most states accept the GED as an acceptable high school equivalent. Still, there are some exceptions. The following states are the only ones that do not accept the GED.

• Indiana
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Missouri
• Montana
• New Hampshire
• New York
• Tennessee
• West Virginia

Is the GED Free?

For most people, the cost of obtaining a GED will vary depending on the level of assistance they need to meet their knowledge and aptitude requirements. For example, some may need to take night classes to learn or relearn some things for the GED. Others may find that they perform best with a tutor. However, in many cases, it is relatively easy to find reliable study material and other helpful exam preparations online.

That said, taking the GED does cost money in most states. The following table shows each state's cost of taking a GED exam. You can take the GED either all at once or in parts. For this reason, the following table lists the cost per sub-test (or GED subject) and the cost of taking the entire exam.

State or Territory	Cost if Test Parts Get Taken Individually	Cost if Test Gets Taken All at Once
Alabama	$30	$120
Alaska	$30	$120
American Samoa	$30	$120
Arizona	$35	$140
Arkansas	$4	$16
Bermuda	$75	$300
California	$35	$140
Colorado	$37.50	$150
Connecticut	$0 (residents only)	$0 (residents only)
DC.	$3.75	$15
Delaware	$30	$120
Federal Bureau of Prisons	$20	$80
Florida	$32	$128
Georgia	$40	$160
Guam	$31.25	$125
Hawaii	$37.50	$150
Idaho	$30	$120
Illinois	$30	$120
Kansas	$33	$132
Kentucky	$30	$120
Maryland	$11.25	$45
Massachusetts	$31.25	$125
Michigan	$37.50	$150
Michigan Prisons	$30	$120
Minnesota	$30	$120
Mississippi	$30	$120
Nebraska	$30	$120
Nevada	$23.75	$95
New Jersey	$30	$120
New Mexico	$20	$80
North Carolina	$20	$80
North Dakota	$30	$120
Northern Mariana Islands	$30	$120
Ohio	$30	$120
Oklahoma	$34	$136
Oregon	$38	$152
Pennsylvania	$30	$120
Rhode Island	$30	$120
South Carolina	$37.50	$150
South Dakota	$37.50	$150
Texas	$36.25	$145
Utah	$30	$120
Vermont	$30	$120
Virginia	$30	$120
Virgin Islands	$30	$120
Washington	$30	$120
Wisconsin	$33.75	$135
Wyoming	$20	$80

(source)

Alternatives to the GED Exam

While the most generally accepted high school equivalency exam is far and away from the GED, there are now two alternatives to the GED accepted in some states:

• High School Equivalency Test (HiSET)
• Test Assessing Secondary Completion test (TASC)

The HiSET exam is entirely multiple choice on five different subjects, namely:

• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
• Reading
• Writing

Although it is relatively new compared to the GED, the number of states that have accepted the HiSET exam as an acceptable high school equivalency standard is large and rapidly growing. Twenty-three states accept this exam. The following list shows all the states that accept the HiSET:

• California
• Colorado
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Wyoming

The TASC, or Test Assessing Secondary Completion test, is another alternative to the GED.

Regarding difficulty, many consider the TASC test the hardest because it is relatively heavy on math. Believe it or not, this test also only allows you to use a calculator for half of the math portion of the exam. However, in general, all three exams are somewhat challenging. The HiSET may be your best bet if you prefer multiple-choice-style exams. You can find offerings for almost all of these exams online.

High School 21+ Programs

Yet another alternative that many people may not have even heard of is a high school 21+ Program. Community colleges offer these programs as a way for those who dropped out of high school to get yet another equivalent diploma.

Some of these programs even allow you to utilize your previously earned high school credits instead of taking some of the courses. Furthermore, some allow various life and employment experiences to substitute traditional credits for some courses. High school 21+ programs can be an excellent choice for those who have already completed much of high school and want to gain all the knowledge they would have had if they had finished high school by 21 (source).

Under some exceptional circumstances, some of these programs will accept even younger people. So, in summary, if you drop out of High School before age 21, you can:

• Take a high school equivalency exam
• Re-enroll in a traditional high school
• Enroll in a high school 21+ program

In any case, these options vary by state, county, and municipality. Always check ahead with the Dean or another authoritative educational figure if you plan to take one of these courses. They will be able to assist you in picking the most suitable option that advances your education.

Night Classes & Other Similar Options

A more well-known high school alternative, similar to the high school 21+ programs, is night classes. Night classes are often on college campuses, typically community colleges. Their general purpose is to prepare you for the GED or another similar exam. Specific colleges may or may not offer these. Moreover, the state government put these on for their residents. Depending on the area and the organization, they can be free.

There are also adult schools that prepare you for high school equivalency exams. These are generally paid programs, but many will offer discounts (source).

Pros & Cons of Going Back to High School

There are numerous benefits and drawbacks of going back to high school or taking the time to get a GED.

The choice is simple if you have not found stable or gainful employment without a GED. In truth, you can make much more money with a GED than without one. Sometimes, it is not about that money, though.

For instance, entering a trade is one of the most gainful alternatives to getting a GED. Know that some of these lines of work do not require beginners to have a GED. Thus, in getting a certification, you may be able to earn as much as you would at another job elsewhere.

Do note that the apprenticeships and training will likely be even more difficult than obtaining a GED. However, since most colleges require someone to have a high school diploma, it may be a way to make more money sooner than completing the traditional route of attending high school, then college. Some of the highest-earning trades include welding, plumbing, and electrician work.

Cosmetology and beauty schools also do not necessarily require a high school degree, but it depends on the state. Always make sure to check your specific state requirements before making your decision. CNAs, or certified nursing assistants, are also not required to have high school diplomas. Still, to become a practicing nurse, you must take a break and obtain a GED at some point.

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