You’ve always said you would never go back to school. But with the numerous benefits an advanced degree can bring to your professional and personal life, it may be time to return to the classroom.

Working adults go back to college for various reasons. From giving their career a boost to meeting new and well-conntected people, earning a degree opens up a whole world of opportunities. And for professionals who need to work while they learn, earning a degree online can be a convenient and flexible option.

Here are 5 reasons why you might want to go back to school:

1. To get a raise.. Sometimes employers or the government offer financial incentives to those with advanced degrees or they require certain degrees. Either way, professionals with advanced degrees tend to have higher salaries. According to the latest Usual Weekly Earnings Summary report prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a person with only a high school diploma earns $621 per week, about $30,000 per year. A person with a bachelor's degree, however, earns $1,145 per week, which works out to nearly $60,000 per year.
2. To get a promotion. At many companies, management positions are reserved for those with advanced degrees, and no matter how great of an employee you are, your lack of a college degree may be holding you back.
3. To change careers. Moving from one industry to another can be difficult without the appropriate work experience or background. Gaining an education in a new field will prepare you for the move into a new career.
4. To network. Going back to school will give you a chance to meet new people in your field or in a new field that you hope to break into. If you choose an online school, don't worry about not meeting them in person,; these days, networking is all about online connections and social networking.
5. To ride out the recession. There's a reason applications go up during recessions. It may seem like you're stalling, but if you can find a financial plan that works for you, gaining new skills and knowledge will only help you once the economy picks up again. Learning new skills and gaining knowledge will only make you more marketable and appealing to future employers.