1 Million Learners Added Online

Online learning enrollment rose by almost 1 million students from a year earlier. Approximately 5.6 million students were enrolled in at least one online college course in fall 2009, the most recent term for which figures are available. “This represents the largest ever year-to-year increase in the number of students studying online,” said study co-author I. Elaine Allen of Babson College. “Nearly 30
percent of all college and university students now take at least one course online.”
Other statistics:

>> Almost two-thirds of for-profit institutions now say that online learning is a critical part of their long term strategy.

>> The 21% growth rate for online enrollments far exceeds the 2% growth in the overall higher education student population.

>> Nearly one-half of institutions report that the economic downturn has increased demand for face-to-face courses and programs.

>> Three-quarters of institutions report that the economic downturn has increased demand for online courses and programs.
—Complete report: www.sloanconsortium.org

---