In recognition of the problem that there has been until recently little interest in the economics of adult and continuing education, this study discussed and represented conceptual and theoretical approaches to major contemporary issues of economics of adult & continuing education: concepts of the economics of adult & continuing education, adult & continuing education and productivity, adult & continuing education and individual income, cost-benefit analysis of adult & continuing education, finance of adult & continuing education, private and social returns of adult & continuing education, and cost-effectiveness analysis of adult & continuing education. The methodology of the study was based on the literature review with the help of researches of adult educators as well as research workers with a loose connection with the adult & continuing education. To conclude, the research interest in the economics of adult & continuing education introduces not only to advantages since it necessarily contributes to a rational decision-making among alternatives, but also disadvantages of kinds of exclusive and limited decisions. Thus, decisions about the worthwhileness of an adult & continuing education program should not be base solely on economic cost-benefit criteria. There is a need for adult & continuing education researchers to consider non-economic variables with a broad perspective.