This paper begins to address the question--can institutions of higher learning assume homogeneity? Conversations had with returning college students, concluded that an emerging group has increased dramatically in numbers at the college level. This new student profile includes those who: are noticeably older, study part-time, work full-time, are married or divorced with children, and have a lot more responsibility than the average younger college student. Such a population is the nontraditional student. Consequently, higher education has had to think of ingenious ways to accommodate this particular niche, the nontraditional student who adds much diversity to the college campus. This qualitative study yielded results, which, indicated that nontraditional students are committed to their education because of the support systems and services in place, the engagement, and the integrative experience the college affords them.