More college students now learn entirely online than completely in-person

July 11, 2025

Heard on All Things Considered

NPR

Elissa Nadworny

For the first time in U.S. higher education history, more college students are enrolled entirely online than in traditional in-person formats. This shift marks a major turning point in the way American students access postsecondary education—and raises critical questions about cost, quality, and equity.

Elissa Nadworny’s NPR report centers around the story of Emma Bittner, a 25-year-old student pursuing a master's degree in public health. Emma hoped to continue working full-time while studying, and, living in Austin, Texas, she expected online options to be a more flexible and affordable solution. What she discovered, however, surprised her: many online graduate programs cost the same or even more than their in-person counterparts.

For the first time in U.S. higher education history, more college students are enrolled entirely online than in traditional in-person formats. This shift marks a major turning point in the way American students access postsecondary education—and raises critical questions about cost, quality, and equity.

Elissa Nadworny’s NPR report centers around the story of Emma Bittner, a 25-year-old student pursuing a master's degree in public health. Emma hoped to continue working full-time while studying, and, living in Austin, Texas, she expected online options to be a more flexible and affordable solution. What she discovered, however, surprised her: many online graduate programs cost the same or even more than their in-person counterparts.

This experience reflects a broader trend. A joint report by Eduventures and other research organizations found that 83% of online college programs cost at least as much as in-person versions. In fact, data from the Education Data Initiative shows that the average cost for a four-year, in-person degree from a public in-state university is about $39,000, compared to $41,000 for the same degree pursued online.

This raises a key question: why doesn’t online education cost less?

Dylan Barth, vice president at the Online Learning Consortium, explains that while online education eliminates expenses tied to physical facilities, there are still significant costs related to infrastructure, faculty, marketing, and support services. These online programs often help universities subsidize other institutional needs—just as large lecture classes historically helped support smaller seminars.

Running a university, even one offering fully remote degrees, still requires robust systems for admissions, registration, academic advising, and marketing. Technology infrastructure must also support secure platforms for learning, communication, and evaluation.

Additionally, academic outcomes for online learners present ongoing challenges. Research consistently shows that students enrolled online often earn lower grades, withdraw from courses more frequently, and are less likely to graduate on time compared to in-person peers. To combat these issues, institutions must invest in enhanced student support services such as tutoring centers, writing assistance, virtual help desks, and proactive academic advising.

These added services contribute to the high cost of online learning. In fact, about one-quarter of institutions apply a separate "distance learning fee" to cover these resources—similar to a convenience fee.

While universities may charge more, students like Emma Bittner still gravitate toward online learning due to the flexibility it offers. For working adults, parents, or those living in areas without strong higher education infrastructure, online education can be the only viable pathway to a degree.

However, the experience isn’t without drawbacks. Bittner expressed “FOMO” (fear of missing out) when comparing her asynchronous online classes—dominated by slideshow presentations and quizzes—with the lived, social experience of peers in face-to-face programs. Despite this, she ultimately chose the most affordable online option she could find: a master’s program at Boston University.

The growth of online-only universities such as Western Governors University could eventually apply market pressure on traditional institutions to reduce costs. These providers typically operate with different funding models, scaled delivery, and streamlined administration.

For educators and higher education leaders, this shift presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Online learning offers scalability and access, particularly for nontraditional and underserved populations. But to deliver quality and retain students, institutions must invest strategically in instructional design, student engagement, and academic support. Failure to do so could erode both outcomes and trust.

As more students opt for online degrees, educators must rethink how to make digital learning more human, more affordable, and more effective.

This experience reflects a broader trend. A joint report by Eduventures and other research organizations found that 83% of online college programs cost at least as much as in-person versions. In fact, data from the Education Data Initiative shows that the average cost for a four-year, in-person degree from a public in-state university is about $39,000, compared to $41,000 for the same degree pursued online.

This raises a key question: why doesn’t online education cost less?

Dylan Barth, vice president at the Online Learning Consortium, explains that while online education eliminates expenses tied to physical facilities, there are still significant costs related to infrastructure, faculty, marketing, and support services. These online programs often help universities subsidize other institutional needs—just as large lecture classes historically helped support smaller seminars.

Running a university, even one offering fully remote degrees, still requires robust systems for admissions, registration, academic advising, and marketing. Technology infrastructure must also support secure platforms for learning, communication, and evaluation.

Additionally, academic outcomes for online learners present ongoing challenges. Research consistently shows that students enrolled online often earn lower grades, withdraw from courses more frequently, and are less likely to graduate on time compared to in-person peers. To combat these issues, institutions must invest in enhanced student support services such as tutoring centers, writing assistance, virtual help desks, and proactive academic advising.

These added services contribute to the high cost of online learning. In fact, about one-quarter of institutions apply a separate "distance learning fee" to cover these resources—similar to a convenience fee.

While universities may charge more, students like Emma Bittner still gravitate toward online learning due to the flexibility it offers. For working adults, parents, or those living in areas without strong higher education infrastructure, online education can be the only viable pathway to a degree.

However, the experience isn’t without drawbacks. Bittner expressed “FOMO” (fear of missing out) when comparing her asynchronous online classes—dominated by slideshow presentations and quizzes—with the lived, social experience of peers in face-to-face programs. Despite this, she ultimately chose the most affordable online option she could find: a master’s program at Boston University.

The growth of online-only universities such as Western Governors University could eventually apply market pressure on traditional institutions to reduce costs. These providers typically operate with different funding models, scaled delivery, and streamlined administration.

For educators and higher education leaders, this shift presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Online learning offers scalability and access, particularly for nontraditional and underserved populations. But to deliver quality and retain students, institutions must invest strategically in instructional design, student engagement, and academic support. Failure to do so could erode both outcomes and trust.

As more students opt for online degrees, educators must rethink how to make digital learning more human, more affordable, and more effective.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com