Here's a Post From Anonymous in Responce to: Why Do You Ask?

Here's why I might ask.
anonymous
Graduate education is an enormous investment of public funds into training researchers to conduct inquiry and scholarship. It is a means to an end, rather than an end in itself.

If someone begins a doctoral programme in their mid or late 50s, I presume (given usual completion times) that they will graduate in their mid 60s. That is late to begin a second career. I don't think it's an unfair question to ask whether the public investment in a graduate education will yield a public benefit in terms of a career spent in scholarly research.

Before you shout 'ageist!', by the way, I have the exact same feeling about those in their 20s or 30s who undertake Ph.Ds for the challenge, the personal accomplishment, because it's on their life-list, etc. etc. The term I like is 'vanity Ph.D.'

Some nontraditional students will pursue serious, important scholarly work after graduating, even in their 60s. Some young students will do bupkis with their costly training. So it's not purely an age thing... but age can have a bearing.

So, in answer to your question, 'why do you ask', I ask because I want to know how you are planning to make use of your set of credentials, paid for with the support of the public purse.