The parks and recreation department is a resource for adult education programs. For example, the parks and recreation department in Brookfield, Connecticut offers classes in photography, cooking, computers as well as a public speaking workshop. Classes are generally offered throughout the year in the evening or on weekends. The average cost for a class through a parks and recreation department is under $100 for an eight-week course.
Your local community center may offer courses for adults. These programs, often managed by the local government, a charity organization or church, are geared towards older adults. The emphasis is usually on socializing through experiential or simple skill courses. A local community center may offer day trips to a museum or classes for simple woodworking.
Local community colleges, colleges and universities offer non-credit continuing education courses for adults. For example, the Austin Community College in Austin, Texas offers "personal enrichment courses," as well as job skills and professional development classes. Classes through a college may be more expensive than classes through local community programs. For example, an eight-session floral design program can cost over $300 at ACC.
The local YMCA isn't just for a swim lesson or a workout. YMCAs often offer adult education programs, from pottery to meditation classes. According to the YMCA of the USA's website, these programs help the YMCA achieve its goal of strong families and strong communities. From job training for young adults to social clubs for older adults, the YMCA is an inexpensive resource for community adult education programs. A six-week YMCA course costs less than $30 on average.