<p>My father (high school drop out) attended college as a 38 year old after retiring from the military. The first semester is always rough for anyone who hasn't been in a school setting for a while. But after that, he did just fine and went on to finish his Ph.D. So it can be done.</p>
<p>But I also have to agree with Coureur. If finishing college is a person's goal, then the best time to start is within a year after high school graduation. You don't have responsibilities like a full-time job, wife, kids--your parents are more likely to be paying (or at least helping out). </p>
<p>I had a friend who told me that it took her 3 years to get the first 3 years of her college education done--and then 20 years to get the last year done! She married and started a family after her junior year. Life happens. . .</p>