Distance Learning: Fast Facts

Online Education Industry Continues to Grow

During the 2006-2007 academic year, 66 percent of U.S. two-year and four-year Title IV degree-granting postsecondary institutions offered college-level distance education courses. Source: National Center for Education Statistics
Today that number of Title IV postsecondary institutions that offer college-level distance learning has reached more than 80 percent. Source: Eduventures, Inc.
Among public institutions, 97 percent of two-year and 89 percent of four-year colleges offered college-level distance learning courses. Among private, for-profit institutions, 18 percent of two-year and 70 percent of four-year colleges offered distance learning courses. Among private, nonprofit institutions, 53 percent offered college-level distance learning courses. Source: National Center for Education Statistics
Among Title IV institutions, the most common factors affecting the provision of distance learning courses were meeting student demand for flexible schedules (68 percent), providing access to college for students who would otherwise not have access (67 percent), making more courses available (46 percent), and seeking to increase student enrollment (45 percent). Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Enrollment in Online Education Courses

An estimated 12.2 million students were enrolled in college-level, credit-granting distance learning courses during the 2006-07 academic year. Source: National Center for Education Statistics
Between 1990 and 2005, students under the age of 25 enrolled in college-level, credit granting distance learning courses increased by 33 percent, while enrolled in such courses by students aged 25 and older rose by only 18 percent. However, from 2005 to 2016, the number of students under the age of 25 enrolled in distance learning courses is projected to increase only 15 percent compared to a projected increase of 21 percent for students aged 25 and older. Source: National Center for Education Statistics
A survey of more than 1,500 prospective adult students found that close to 50 percent felt that additional education is worth more today as a way of improving employment prospects as a result of the current recession. Source: Eduventures, Inc.
The same survey revealed that 42 percent of participants said they were more likely to enroll in an online education course or program in response to current economic conditions. Source: Eduventures, Inc.
The number of students enrolled in online courses or programs offered by Title IV postsecondary institutions is projected to reach 3.5 million by 2013. Source: Eduventures, Inc.

Employer Perception of Online Education

Most employers - more than 62 percent - have a favorable attitude toward distance learning and view the value of this educational format as being equal to or greater than that of face-to-face instruction. Source: Eduventures, Inc.
A 2005 survey revealed that 29 percent of corporate tuition reimbursements went to online or hybrid programs. Source: American Society for Training and Development

About the Sources

The National Center for Education Statistics is part of the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences. The organization serves as the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the United States.

Founded in 1993, Eduventures, Inc. facilitates the exchange of best practices among the higher education institutions. The company conducts actionable research and analysis pertinent to the higher education industry.

With more than 130 U.S. chapters, the American Society for Training and Development is dedicated to workplace learning and performance professionals.