What is the average student age?

• A. 22
• B. 24
• C. 26
• D. 28

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is understanding how the average age is determined. The average age is the sum of all students’ ages divided by how many students there are. It reflects the center of the age distribution and can be pulled up or down by older or younger students in the group.

In many colleges, especially those with a mix of traditional students and returning adults, the age distribution includes both younger students around the early twenties and a substantial number in the mid to late twenties. That combination tends to place the average somewhere in the mid-20s. Among the options, 24 best matches that typical mid-20s center: it’s lower than 26 or 28 (which would require more older students) but higher than 22 (which would suggest mostly younger students). So 24 is the most representative average for a diverse student body.