The primary intent of the study of 42 adults in West Central Minnesota was to discover what adult learners perceived as barriers to continuing education. Twelve of the adults interviewed were enrolled in a baccalaureate degree and 30 expressed an interest in postsecondary education but currently were not enrolled (20 future degree seekers and 10 non-degree seekers). All but two had obtained a high school diploma and all but four had completed some post-high school study. Ages ranged from early twenties to the late fifties, with most individuals married and assuming family responsibilities. Five barriers identified were: (1) access to educational facilities, (2) family responsibilities, (3) finances, (4) time, and (5) motivation. Most barriers involved both situational and value-related elements. Eleven of the current degree seekers were able to overcome the situational barrier of access to educational facilities by pursuing the University Without Walls degree at the University of Minnesota, Morris. The study sample population, with access to educational facilities and family responsibilities as the greatest barriers, differed from a national sample by Cross and Valley indicating time and finances to be the greatest barriers. Various implications for adult educators are drawn. (EA)