 I have yet to do the one thing I wish before I die
frossie: There is enormous satisfaction in doing something you enjoy. I agree that if you have no commitments to others (like kids) there is nothing wrong with pursuing your ambitions by ditching your lifestyle.However I should add that there are some really first-rate distance learning programmes (in particular by Canadian and Australian universities, where the population density is low and there is a high demand for such things, but also Open University in the UK and I am sure US equivalents I am not aware of). These are not "degrees by mail", they are genuine courses by quality universities, with classes and lecturers and credits and so on.Unless you are specifically attracted by the idea of being on a campus (and bear in mind, at your age it's not going to be the same as for the youngsters), you might want to see if any of them meet your needs and try multi-tasking for a while. If your employer values you, they might even agree to cut back your hours to give you more study time.