Whether or not you will succeed is less a factor of your age, but more of a factor of how hard you strive for it. There is no replacement for experience. A 40 year old that just graduated is on a level playing ground with a 21 year old grad. You won't compete with 40 year old with 20+ years of IT experience. Make sure you consider: a) The cost of University. Not only the direct costs but the indirect as well - loss of income etc. b) You will be starting at the bottom of the ladder. Entry level IT is gritty. Can your pride handle younger managers that might seem to, in your opinion, make all the wrong decisions? c) Computer Science at University is a lot of work. Nothing I have ever done has compared to a semester in which I wrote a small OS, and a compiler. It was a lot of long days and nights with little sleep. Can your health handle it? Also consider technical institutes if you really just want to get into the workplace. They can give you the skills that are needed right now and get your foot in the door. Okay, that said, here it is: Hell yes you should do it. University is a great experience. By the end of it your mind feels like a sponge that can just soak up whatever you throw at it. Computer Science at a University was the best choice I made (though at times I expressed my doubts in a colourful manner). It's one thing to "program" but it's another to really understand these systems and how they work, as well as to see the potential. If you apply yourself and absorb as much as you can, and continue to work hard at it, there is no reason you can't be successful.