Graduate school discontinuance remains a persistent concern among working professionals in rural higher education contexts. This descriptive study examined the triggers of graduate school discontinuance and the coping mechanisms of dropouts and returnees at Cagayan State University–Aparri during School Year 2025–2026. Data were gathered from thirty purposively selected respondents using a structured survey questionnaire. Findings revealed that financial constraints were the primary cause of discontinuance, while personal, academic, and institutional factors exerted relatively less influence. Among returnees, major challenges included workload adjustment, work–study balance, thesis completion, and readmission processes. Despite these difficulties, returnees demonstrated effective coping mechanisms such as time management, mentoring, family and peer support, career-driven motivation, and personal resilience. The results highlight the importance of flexible academic policies, responsive administrative processes, and strengthened support systems to enhance graduate student retention and facilitate successful re-engagement among returning learners in rural higher education institutions.