A Study on the Impact of Adult Learners’ Satisfaction with University Education on Life Changes

The purpose of this study was to empirically analyze whether the educational satisfaction of adult learners participating in adult learning degree programs in Korean universities affects life changes as a learning outcome. To this end, data from 170 adult learners enrolled in universities in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Chungnam from September to October 2024 were used, and regression analysis was conducted as a research method. The results of the study showed that, first, adult learners' educational satisfaction with university degree programs was relatively high with an average of 4.09 points (standard deviation .477). Second, educational satisfaction was found to be an influential factor in affecting life changes as a learning outcome, with the effects being in the terms of social life changes, physical domain changes, family life changes, and career and employment changes. Based on these findings, suggestions were made to expand customized university education programs for adult learners, establish a flexible learning environment for adult learners in universities, provide learning counseling and active feedback from faculty,and strengthen career-related education programs., It is also recommended to introduce an objective and fair evaluation system for adult learners’ academic achievements, so that educational satisfaction can be directly linked to learning outcomes.