Online Learning Statistics (2024): Is This The Future?

Did you know that over 49% of students worldwide take some form of online class?

In recent years, online learning has become the most popular form of education, transforming how people access knowledge and skills.

Here are the top Online Learning Statistics in 2024. 

What Is Online Learning?

Online learning, also known as e-learning or distance education, refers to using electronic resources and digital platforms to receive and deliver educational content remotely.

This simply means that you can learn any new course or skill from the comfort of your home, anytime, anywhere, by using your phone or computer. 

This mode of learning lets you access courses, lectures, and study materials from anywhere with an internet connection.

Online learning can also be supplemented with video lectures, interactive quizzes, discussion forums, and virtual classrooms, making it a preferred form of education among almost half the worldwide student population.

But why? 

The answer to that is very simple. 

Easy Access.

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Growth of Online Learning (2024)

Online learning has grown remarkably in recent years because of essential factors.

1. Technological Advancement
2. Increasing Demand for Flexible Options 
3. COVID 19 Pandemic Effect

Overall, changing attitudes towards education are seen, with online education being the preferred mode, especially for higher education and skill-related classes. 

According to Oxford, online learning has increased by 900% since its inception in 2000. 

According to recent data, the global online education market is projected to reach $585.48 billion by 2027, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2% from 2020 to 2027.

Since 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic has further accelerated the adoption of online learning, as schools, universities, and training institutions worldwide were forced to shift to remote learning to ensure continuity of education. 

That being said, here are the top Online Learning Statistics for 2024. 

Top Online Learning Statistics in 2024

1. Nearly half, or 49% of students worldwide, have participated in online learning.
2. Online learning is the fastest-expanding sector, with 900% growth since its inception in 2000 (Oxford).
3. The growth of online learning is expected to exceed 200% from 2020 to 2025, according to Guru99.
4. The projected increase in online learners is nearly 60 million people by 2027.
5. According to Global Industry Analysts Inc., the online learning industry in the United States is projected to reach $687 billion by 2030.
6. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, The number of students pursuing only online college courses surged from 2.4 million to 7.0 million from 2019 to 2020.
7.  70% of students prefer online learning over traditional classroom methods (Bay Atlantic University).
8. More women prefer online courses than men, according to Statista.
9. 42% of online education pursuers are 30 years old or older, according to 99Guru.
10. Online learning can boost student retention rates by up to 60%, according to Guru99. 
11. When conducted online, study time can be reduced by as much as 60%, as reported by Guru99.
12. A majority of K-12 students (72%) are already utilizing cloud-based tools.
13. 80% of businesses incorporate online learning or training solutions into their operations.
14. In the United States, 63% of students engage in online learning activities daily.
15. Approximately 75% of companies offer opportunities for online learning, according to ThinkImpact.
16. Online education is expected to enhance staff productivity by a minimum of 15% (American Heart Association).
17. Almost all universities (98%) have transitioned to providing some form of online courses(Upskillwise).
18. Online college students require up to 60% less study time, according to ThinkImpact.

Online Learning Statistics For Business (2024)

Over three out of four companies provide online learning:
Online learning is no longer just for students. Currently, over 77% of firms provide online learning or training to employees and new hires (ThinkImpact).

Improves employee engagement by 18%
When done correctly, online learning can boost employee engagement by up to 18% (PapersOwl).

Improves employee performance by 15%
Allowing employees to study at their own pace increases retention by 25-67% while improving performance by up to 15% (American Heart Association).

42% of companies see income increase with online learning:
In the United States, 42% of organizations that provide online learning report an increase in revenue, with profit margins improving by an average of 24% (TechJury).

Revenue per employee is 200%+
According to TechJury, companies that use online learning experience an average 218% boost in income per employee.

Employees learn five times more material:
IBM’s eLearning program enabled employees to absorb roughly five times more content while spending less time in training, lowering training costs (SHIFT).

Saves 60%. Employee Time:
Online learning takes 40-60% less time than classroom learning since it may be done at any time (Brandon Hall).

70% of organizations get a competitive advantage:
Approximately 72% of companies who provide online learning claim it helps them stay competitive and respond to market changes (CertifyMe).

Online Learning Statistics For Education (2024)

98 percent of universities offer online courses:
Almost all universities now offer online classes. The epidemic accelerated this trend, and it is here to stay.

University education dominates the market:
University-based education is the largest segment of the online learning sector, with a market value of $103.8 billion in 2023.

31% of students consider online degrees:
In the United Kingdom, around one-third of students would consider pursuing their university degree online.

Business courses are the most popular:
30% of online learners take business courses, 19% take computer and information technology courses, and 14% study health and medicine.

11% Increase in Online University Enrollment:
While traditional university enrollment fell by 3%, online university enrollment surged by 11%.

Over 40% of US students learn online daily:
63% of K-12 pupils in the United States use online learning resources at least once every day.

Online Learning Saves Study Time:
College students can save 40-60% of their study time by taking online classes.

75% of US Schools Went Fully Online During COVID-19:
During the pandemic, three out of four schools in the US switched to fully online learning.

7 in 10 K-12 Students Use Cloud-Based Tools:
72% of K-12 students now use cloud-based educational tools.

49% of Full-Time Faculty Trained in Online Learning:
Almost half of full-time faculty received online learning training during the pandemic, compared to 36% of part-time faculty.

21% of Public Schools Had Online Courses Before the Pandemic:
One in five public schools offered online courses before Covid-19, compared to 13% of private schools.

Undergraduates More Likely to Take Online Courses:
75% of undergraduates take at least one online course, compared to 71% of graduate students.

77% of Public College Students Take Online Courses:
More than three-quarters of public college students take at least one online course, while only 68% of private college students do.

Four-Year Students Prefer Online Classes:
76% of students at four-year institutions take online courses, compared to 69% at two-year institutions.

Pros and Cons of Online Learning 

While online learning offers numerous benefits, as proven by Online Learning Statistics (2024), it also has certain limitations. Here are some of the key pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Flexibility: Online learning allows you to learn at your own pace and convenience, accommodating busy schedules and personal commitments.
2. Easy Access: Online courses are accessible to learners regardless of geographical location. They do not require relocation or commuting, saving time and energy.
3. Cost-Effectiveness: Online learning has been seen to be more affordable than traditional education. 
4. Diverse Learning Resources: Online learning platforms offer many multimedia resources, including videos, interactive simulations, and virtual labs, enhancing the learning experience and catering to different learning styles.

Cons:

1. Lack of Face-to-Face Interaction: One drawback of online learning is the absence of face-to-face interaction with instructors and peers, which may be disadvantageous for developing communication and socialization skills.
2. Technical Challenges: Online learning requires access to reliable internet connectivity and digital devices. This is only possible for some students worldwide, especially in developed areas.
3. Quality Assurance: Ensuring the quality and credibility of online courses can be challenging. Today, multiple online learning platforms publish and sell course content, making it challenging to monitor instructional design standards.

Cost Of Online Learning in 2024

54% of Colleges Charge Extra for Students Who Study Online:
Even while online learning is frequently thought of as a more affordable choice, more than half of universities charge remote students more in tuition than in-person tuition.

Online courses at colleges can cost more than $15,000:
Online courses typically cost $15,467 annually, which is more than traditional college tuition but still rather high.

$500+ Per Credit Hour for Online College:
Online colleges typically charge $516 per credit hour for a 30-credit year, however, others charge as little as $200 per credit hour.

The annual cost of public online colleges is $10,000:
The average annual cost of earning a degree from a public online college is about $10,000.

The annual cost of private, nonprofit online colleges is $15,000:
With an average annual cost of $15,000, private non-profit online universities are more expensive than public ones. Private for-profit universities are considerably more costly, with annual tuition of almost $17,000.

By 2023, Revenue Per User in Online Education Will Exceed $20,000:
The average income per user in online education is predicted to reach $21,000 in 2023, demonstrating the industry’s substantial development.

Conclusion (Online Learning Statistics)

While online learning offers numerous advantages, it is not without its challenges.

However, it provides an accessible opportunity for all to learn and upskill in the comfort of their homes, making it a popular form of education. 

These online Learning Statistics can help you understand the importance and relevance of online learning in 2024 and why you can expect a positive shift to online education in the near future.

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