The Growing Popularity of Online Degrees - What's Driving the Trend?

The use of online degrees is growing in popularity. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought totally remote learning to light, there are other factors contributing to its rising acceptance. Many students find it appealing that they can complete their degree online and still receive top-notch instruction without having to compromise their time with their families or jobs.

Adaptability

Online learning has grown in popularity as a means of acquiring degrees or new skills. Many students find it to be a practical and adaptable choice, particularly in light of the epidemic. When classes resumed, some students continued to enrol in online courses, while many others went back to traditional classroom instruction. Institutions must invest a significant amount of resources in creating, promoting, implementing, and maintaining online programmes. To ensure they have the appropriate quantity of online offers for their market, they must carefully consider survey data, market research, and possible enrollment scans. Working people frequently choose online education due to its flexibility. An increasing number of students are taking advantage of the conveniences offered by digital education, whether it be by taking classes online, completing a degree program entirely from a distance, or combining on-campus and online sessions into a hybrid schedule. In fact, some students are looking for microcredentials that highlight certain in-demand talents in addition to professional-focused online degrees. Employers who value initiative and employee talent see these credentials as an excellent substitute for traditional degrees.

Availability

Many people are skeptical of online degrees because of their perceived reliability. After all, it might be challenging to shake the stigma attached to distant learning. Fortunately, there are several justifications for pursuing an online degree. One benefit of the method is that it might assist students in developing transferable abilities. According to recent Champlain College research, for instance, 72% of adults believe that employers now see online education as more trustworthy than they did before the pandemic. Additionally, it's getting easier and easier to obtain an online degree. Several universities are now offering online versions of classic programmes are now being offered by several universities. Furthermore, a growing number of schools and universities are offering hybrid programs that combine online learning with on-campus instruction. Students now have an easier time selecting the best fit for their academic path. Thus, an increasing number of people are thinking about earning degrees online. This is a tendency that might keep expanding for a very long time.

Globalisation

As the globe becomes more connected, students are looking for educational opportunities that align with their global perspective and flexibility in juggling work and personal life. Students can finish their degrees online without having to deal with work schedules, travel restrictions, or moving to a new state or nation. International students find this particularly appealing because they have to overcome numerous linguistic, cultural, and geographic obstacles in order to pursue standard university coursework on campus. Nontraditional students who wish to expand their professional skill sets for the workforce may also find online degrees appealing. Stackable credentials are a feature of many online degree programs that help students advance their careers and develop their skill sets. Furthermore, many online degree programs offer expedited tracks, allowing students to complete their degrees more quickly than they would in a traditional university program. This can help nontraditional students advance in their jobs by allowing them to apply their learning right away. These are but a handful of the factors propelling the growth and acceptance of virtual learning. Universities that want to be at the top of the online education game must keep offering high-quality courses that take these aspects into account as the business changes.

Technology

The market for online education has expanded significantly. In 2021, as students flocked to the platform to study under eminent academics, course enrollment numbers nearly doubled from pre-pandemic levels. By creating specialised online departments or providing totally online degrees, numerous universities have developed strong online programmes. Indeed, according to a recent survey, compared to just 22% of their on-campus programs, 36% of universities offering entirely online degree programs reported enrollment growth among traditional-age undergraduates of at least 4% in 2022. Universities must, however, approach online learning with greater strategy if they hope to increase their market share. One way to do this is by developing stackable credentials that concentrate on brief bursts of career-specific skills instruction, enabling learners to apply their technical expertise to real-world situations. This will boost completion rates and help match education with the labor market. Download the complete research from McKinsey to find out more about the trends influencing online learning.