The purpose of this study is to expand understanding and discover knowledge about degree attainment among adult learners. This qualitative inquiry explores what recent non-traditional-age bachelor's degree recipients report contributes to attaining the degree. Professional research and expert material on demographics, motivation, challenges and barriers, learning preferences, and skills, form the foundation of the study. In addition, study participants discuss what attaining the degree means to them. This research utilizes data, reports and analyses by National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. To illuminate the experience of attaining a bachelor's degree as an adult, this study employs phenomenological methodology. Data collection consists of in-depth interviews with 15 bachelor's degree recipients who attained the degree at or after age 25 and within the past 5 years. The data analysis reveals the themes of initiative, mattering, perseverance, resourcefulness, and self-actualization. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]