People leave high school for all sorts of valid reasons, such as work, pregnancy, moving, illness, or periods of life when school just wasn't possible. Fast-forward a few years, and you're applying for that job you want or to a training program, only to find that you need that missing diploma. Some employers and colleges ask for a high school diploma or equivalent, so not having one can limit your options.
Federal labor data further shows how unemployment rates and median earnings vary by education level. In 2025, among adults age 25 and older, those without a high school diploma had the highest unemployment rate of any education level, at 6.1%. Among full-time wage and salary workers in that age group, they also had the lowest median weekly earnings: $770, compared with $966 for workers with a high school diploma. Of course, those numbers don't predict what will happen to you personally; they just show broad patterns across a huge group of people.
But can finishing high school online even work alongside a day job and busy family? That's exactly what this guide will help you figure out. We'll cover how your old credits may count and what a study week might look like for you now.
Yes, you can still finish high school as an adult
Adults who didn't graduate can still earn a high school credential. The two main routes are:
- Passing a state-approved equivalency test, such as the GED or HiSET
- Completing the coursework still needed for a diploma.
We'll focus on the diploma route here. If you're still weighing your options, our guide to choosing between a diploma and a GED explains the differences.
How online high school fits into adult life
In a self-paced online program, there's no bell schedule! You log in when you can: early in the morning, on a lunch break, or after the kids are fast asleep.
At U.S. Career Institute, the high school program is 100% online and self-paced, and you can study on your phone or computer. You take one course at a time, allowing you to fully focus on one subject before moving on to the next. If you get stuck, message your instructor through the online classroom or ask to set up a phone or Zoom appointment.
Because you set the pace, having a regular routine makes a huge difference. Instead of waiting for a rare free evening, try giving study time a regular place in your week. The sample schedule below shows one way to do that. You can also read more about online high school program for adults.
How transfer credits work
Did you know that the high school classes you passed before, even years ago, may count toward your diploma? That could mean fewer classes to take now! The process usually has four steps:
Step 1: Gather your old transcripts
A transcript is the official record of the classes you took and the credits you earned. Request one from every high school you attended. If you took 9th grade at a junior high, request that too.
Your old school may send the transcript directly to your new one, sometimes for a small fee. If your old school has closed, start with the school district office to find out where they keep the records. If you've changed your name, include any former names on your request.
Before you enroll, it helps to have:
- The name and city of every high school you attended
- Your approximate dates of attendance
- Any former names
- Records of your work hours, if your new school gives credit for work experience
Step 2: Have your coursework evaluated
Your new school reviews each class on your transcript and decides what counts toward its graduation requirements. Requirements vary from state to state, so what you still need depends on where you enroll. That's why it's best to wait for the official evaluation instead of trying to guess.
Step 3: See where your credits fit
Credits are usually sorted into subject areas. At U.S. Career Institute, the diploma requires 24 total credits:
| Subject Area |
Credits |
| English | 4 |
| Math | 3 |
| Science | 3 |
| Social Science | 3.5 |
| Required electives | 2 |
| Vocational electives | 4 |
| More electives | 4.5 |
| Total credits |
24 |
For example, say you passed English 9 and Biology before you left school. Those classes might cover part of your English and science requirements. Whether they count, and how much, depends on the evaluation.
Step 4: Get your plan for what's left
Once the evaluation is done, you'll have a list of the courses you still need, which is what you'll build your study schedule around.
How transfer credits work at U.S. Career Institute
- U.S. Career Institute accepts up to 75% of previous high school work as transfer credit. That's up to 18 of the 24 credits!
- Official transcripts must be sent directly from your previous school and received within 75 days of enrollment. If you'd like, U.S. Career Institute can contact your old school for you.
- Transcripts are evaluated within one week of being received. Then, you’ll get a plan showing the courses you still need.
- Send your transcripts early — transfer credit isn't granted for a course once you've started it.
- You may earn up to one (1) elective credit for approved work experience, using an employer-signed form.
Read our full credit transfer policy.
A week in the life: a sample schedule
Here's one example to help you picture what your week could look like if you have a full-time day job and school-age kids. (This isn’t a required study pace or a timeline for finishing. How much time you’ll need depends on your courses, so check with your school when you’re planning your schedule.)
| Day |
When |
Session |
Focus |
| Monday |
Lunch break
|
Short (on your phone)
|
Read the next part of your lesson
|
| Tuesday |
After the kids' bedtime
|
Main
|
Work through the lesson and take notes
|
| Wednesday |
--
|
Off
|
Family night
|
| Thursday |
After the kids' bedtime
|
Main
|
Practice problems and a quick self-quiz
|
| Friday |
--
|
Off
|
Rest
|
| Saturday |
Early morning, before the house wakes up
|
Longer
|
Quizzes and your hardest material
|
| Sunday |
Evening
|
Quick check-in
|
Pick next week's study times
|
Tips to make your schedule stick
- Tie study time to something you already do. "After bedtime" is easier to keep than "whenever I get a free hour."
- Save your sharpest time for your hardest subject.
- Keep sessions short and spread out. Research suggests you’ll remember more by spacing out study sessions and quizzing yourself than by cramming everything into one long session.
- Let your household know your study times. Ask for help covering them when you can.
- Expect some rough weeks. If work or family gets hectic, let your instructor know early.
- Work shifts? Plan around your days off and breaks instead of setting exact clock times.
Britteny, who enrolled at U.S. Career Institute after dropping out of two previous schools, said the flexibility helped her fit school around everything else going on in her life:
On my own time I was able to get my schoolwork done on top of raising a child.
— Britteny T., High School Graduate
Start with your transcripts
Gathering your transcripts is a good place to start, no matter which program you choose. When you're ready, take a look at U.S. Career Institute’s online high school program for adults to see whether it's the right fit. Still have questions? Request information to learn more about what comes next!