Online Education in the United States, 2009

Learning on Demand: Online Education in the United States, 2009 [Survey report published by the Sloan Consortium]

Online enrollments have continued to grow at rates far in excess of the total higher education student population, with the most recent data demonstrating no signs of slowing.

• Over 4.6 million students were taking at least one online course during the fall 2008 term; a 17 percent increase over the number reported the previous year.
• The 17 percent growth rate for online enrollments far exceeds the 1.2 percent growth of the overall higher education student population.
• More than one in four college and university students now take at least one course online.

The 2009 report also found that 74 percent of public institutions believe that online is critical for their long-term strategy. In addition, the growth of online courses and programs has increased the need for faculty to become comfortable with online teaching and gain the necessary skills to make online courses a success.