Are we talking about 55K after tax? If so, that's good a money for your age though.

If you get married, and your wife makes decent salary, you guys will be racking in over 100k per year. That's pretty good salary. However if we're talking about 55k before tax, then there could be decisions to be made. The economy is quite crappy right now, your deemed lucky to even be holding a job right now. Part-time classes and see how things go first.

There's people of all ages in school. Chances are, you won't feel left out. There's somebody else in your shoes.

Remember your success in life shouldn't have to be measured by your personal income dollar amount. It should be about finding happiness, reaching goals, etc. Go into school for 2 things, the challenge of proving you're capable of using your brain, and the bonus or bi-product of such is increasing your income.

Although 26 would seem appropriate for post-graduate study, I don't think any age is late at all. Can you specify what degree you want to go back for?

There was some 50 year old lady in my pol100 tutorial

she was stupid as fuck too, but hey, who cares