Report: More Americans Support Online Degrees

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans’ attitudes toward online higher education have grown positive, with many young adults viewing it as a solid alternative to traditional schooling, according to a new report.

The report, from Champlain College Online, revealed that 72 percent of adults believe online education is a more reputable way to get a degree than it was five years ago. Additionally, 84 percent of adults think employers are more accepting of online degrees today than pre-pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic introduced more institutions and students to the concept of remote learning than ever before,” said Chris Montagnino, vice president of Champlain College Online. “While there are crucial differences when comparing the remote education seen during the pandemic and intentionally designed online education, high-quality online education provides a level of accessibility, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness that can be life-changing for students.”

“We’ve often talked about adult learners benefiting the most from online education options, and we’re excited to see that both our survey data and our enrollment trends reflect a growing population of younger adults pursuing online degrees and understanding their value,” Montagnino added.

The study had over 2,000 respondents in July 2023 who ranged from 18 to 55 in age and had varying educational backgrounds.

While there are crucial differences when comparing the remote education seen during the pandemic and intentionally designed online education, “high-quality online education provides a level of accessibility, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness that can be life-changing for students,” added Montagnino.

Other findings from the report include the following:

• 90 percent of adults find online education effective in equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their careers;
• 80 percent of adults would consider an online program if enrolling in undergraduate or graduate education;
• 77 percent of adults think online higher education is the same or better at meeting the needs of students ages 23+ when compared to on-campus higher education (a 20 percent increase from 2017);
• 64 percent of adults believe the value of an online degree for the tuition dollar is equal to or more than the value of an on-campus degree (a 20 percent increase from 2017); and
• 53 percent of adults think online higher education is the same or better at meeting the needs of students ages 17-22 when compared to on-campus higher education (a 33 percent increase from 2017).