The debate between in-person and online learning will continue in 2024. Here’s a straightforward look at the stats to help you understand the current state of education.
Key Statistics
- US Online Learning Revenue 📈: In 2024, the United States will generate $87.51 billion from online learning.
- Revenue Per User 💰: Revenue per user in online education is expected to surpass $22,000 in 2024.
- Daily Engagement 📚: 63% of US students engage in online learning activities daily in 2024.
- Student Preference 🏆: 77% of students believe online learning is superior to traditional classroom settings.
- University Adoption 🏛️: 98% of universities have transitioned to offering online courses.
- Costs 💸:
- Public online colleges charge about $10,000/year, compared to a yearly average of $27,000+ at traditional public college.
- Online learning needs 40% to 60% less study time.
- Environmental Impact 🌍: Compared to in-person classes, online learning uses 87% less energy and reduces CO2 emissions by 85%.
Effectiveness 🎓: Online learners retain 25% to 60% more material than classroom learners.
Whether you’re drawn to the convenience of online learning or the classic campus experience, 2024’s education statistics show there’s a place for both in today’s world.
Other Education Statistics:
📚Education Industry Statistics
🧑🏫How Big Is The Online Education Market
📱Mobile Learning Statistics
📏Distance Learning Statistics
In-Person Vs Online Learning Statistics You Should Know
Contents:
- The Rise of Online Learning
- The Traditional Approach: In-Person Learning
- Comparison of Online Learning and In-Person Learning
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning and In-Person Learning
- Future Trends
- Online Learning Doesn’t Only Save Money
- Online Learning Isn’t Possible For Everyone
The Rise of Online Learning
Online learning has grown 900% since its creation in 2000, making it the fastest-growing market in the education industry.
The online learning industry is projected to be worth more than $370 billion by 2026.
The number of online learning users is expected to increase to 57 million by 2027.
The United States generated $74.800 million in online learning revenue in 2023.
China’s online learning industry is projected to reach $171 billion by 2030.
The US online learning industry will be worth $687 billion by 2030.
The online learning sector grew to be a $240 billion industry by 2024.
The major players in the online learning industry include Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning. Coursera holds the largest market share at approximately 40%, followed by Udemy at 25%, and LinkedIn Learning with 15%.
Online Learning: Adoption and Preferences
About 70% of students prefer online learning for its flexibility and cost savings, while 77% of academic leaders view it as equal to or superior to in-person learning.
Online Learning: Cost and Efficiency
Online courses are generally more affordable, with public online colleges offering courses at around $10,000 per year. They also require 40% to 60% less study time compared to traditional classrooms.
Online Learning: Environmental Impact
Online learning uses approximately 87% less energy and produces 85% fewer CO2 emissions than traditional learning settings.
Online Learning: Effectiveness
Students can retain 25% to 60% more information when learning online compared to traditional settings.
Comparison of Online Learning and In-Person Learning
Accessibility
Worldwide, 49% of students have completed some online learning.
More than 30% of American students have taken at least one online course.
More than 200 million learners signed up for at least one massive open online course till 2022.
Cost Effectiveness
54% of colleges charge remote students more than in-person students.
On average, online college courses cost $15,000+ per year.
The average net cost of online college is $500+ per hour.
Public online college costs $10,000/year.
Private non-profit online colleges cost $15,000 per year on average.
Revenue per user in online education reached $20,000+ in 2023.
Engagement
63% of students in the US engage in online learning activities daily.
More than 2 in 5 US students participate in online learning each day.
49% of full-time faculty members have been trained in online learning.
Performance and Outcomes
Online learning increases student retention rate by as much as 60%.
60% of online students reported improved soft skills.
Online learning can increase student and employee retention to as much as 50%.
Online learning and training can improve employee performance by 15% to 25%.
Study time is decreased by as much as 60% when done online.
Adaptability
63% of students choose to study online because of the flexibility of virtual learning.
30% get an online degree to start a new, better-paying career.
Online learning requires 60% less employee time than a classroom.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning and In-Person Learning
In-Person Learning: Market Presence
In-person learning continues to dominate the education market, with the global education market projected to reach $10 trillion by 2030.
In-Person Learning: Student Enrollment and Satisfaction
In 2022, about 15.9 million students were enrolled in undergraduate programs in the U.S., according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
In-Person Learning: Educator Perspectives
77% of educators believe that eLearning is equal or superior to traditional learning, indicating a growing acceptance of online education among academic professionals.
Challenges and Considerations: Digital Divide
In-person learning presents its own set of challenges, especially in terms of accessibility. Students from rural areas often face long commutes to reach educational institutions, and those from low-income families may struggle with the costs associated with transportation, meals, and school supplies.
Additionally, students with disabilities may encounter physical barriers in traditional classrooms, making it difficult for them to fully participate in the learning experience.
Challenges and Considerations: Family Preferences
Despite the benefits of online learning, many families still value the traditional college experience for its ability to develop individuals socially and emotionally.
Advantages of Online Learning
72% of students say online learning is better than traditional classroom learning.
8 in 10 students claim that digital technology helps them improve their grades.
Critical thinking and problem-solving are among the most improved skills.
95% of those who have taken an online course recommend them.
41% of US graduate students prefer online education to traditional education.
A majority of students say that online classes are better than traditional classrooms.
Online learning produces 85% fewer CO2 emissions per student than in-person learning.
More than 3 in 4 companies provide online learning opportunities.
Online learning boosts employee engagement by 18%.
Of companies that offer online learning, more than two in five see an increase in income.
7 in 10 organizations say online learning makes them competitive.
Disadvantages of Online Learning
Students spend an hour per day viewing inappropriate content.
Online learning isn’t accessible to everyone.
Future Trends
Revenue per employee is 200%+ higher for companies that use online learning.
98% of universities have shifted to offer online courses.
Students Prefer Online Learning
A study by the University of Potomac found that a very large percentage of their students actually preferred online learning to traditional brick and mortar learning.
There were a number of things that contributed to this opinion, including reduced expenses, time saved, and flexibility.
These reasons combined contributed to 70% of students stating that they preferred online distance learning.
Academic Leaders Agree
As we have said, the online vs in-person learning debate is something that really divides opinion. A lot of people expect teachers to prefer in-person learning, and this is true of quite a lot of teachers.
However, studies have found that academic leaders tend to agree with students when it comes to online learning.
A study by Forbes found that 77% of academic leaders agreed when asked that online learning was just as good, if not better, than in-person learning.
So not only is online learning a hit among those doing the learning, it is a hit among those doing the teaching too.
E-Learning Helps You Retain Information
It is all good and well for e-learning to be more popular than in-person learning, but there is no better way to tell if it is actually good than by looking at the results.
Students may like e-learning, but if they are not retaining the information, then this type of learning isn’t really a suitable option.
However, a study by E-Learning Industry suggests that e-learning is actually more effective than in-person learning when it comes to retaining information.
This study found that e-learning students were able to retain between 25 and 60% more information than those participating in traditional education formats.
There may be all sorts of reasons for this, but the statistics really speak for themselves.
E-Learning Is More Affordable
There is no denying that formal traditional education is expensive.
Going to college is a big deal, not only because it is a huge achievement but because of the huge amounts of debt that you are required to get yourself into to complete your course.
The affordability of online learning is part of what attracts people to this over traditional in-person institutions.
A study by Education Data found that typically an online degree will be around $10 thousand cheaper than the equivalent degree taught on campus.
So, if you are somebody who gets on well with online learning, it might be very tempting to take advantage of this simply because it is more cost-effective.
Students Are Taking Advantage Of This
To further support the study that we just looked at, research by Statista has suggested that a lot of students are taking advantage of the low costs associated with e-learning in comparison with traditional education.
It seems that following the experience that they had with online learning during the pandemic, over 60% of graduates choose online learning simply because it was more affordable than in-person learning.
Since the pandemic, it seems that affordability has really crept up the priority list for those looking to study in further education.
Online Learning Doesn’t Only Save Money
There is no denying that online learning can help save money, the statistics that we have just looked at really highlight this.
However, it seems that online learning doesn’t only save you money, it can also save you time.
A study by Brandon-Hall Group found that online learning significantly reduces the amount of time that it takes for students to learn things.
The study found that students spend between 40 and 60% less time learning online than in-person.
There are lots of things that could lead to this, but it seems like the lack of commute and cost associated with online learning really does benefit students when it comes to retaining information.
Online Learning Is Better For The Environment
Statistics by the Open University (a British e-learning university) found that online learning uses around 90% less energy and 85% less CO2 emissions than in-person learning.
Online learning helps reduce waste because disposable food cartons are not being used by staff and students.
Likewise it helps reduce waste in terms of the materials needed to construct schools and education buildings.
So a lot of people are turning to e-learning because of the global benefits it has, not only the personal benefits.
Universities Are Listening
A study by Higher Ed Partners has found that huge amounts of universities are now moving their study programs online.
With upwards of 98% of universities now moving some of their classes online, it is great to see traditional institutions recognizing the benefits of online learning and the huge impact that this can have on their staff, their students, and the world we live in.
Online Learning Isn’t Possible For Everyone
There is no denying that there are huge benefits of online learning. Not only can it boost information retention and productivity, it can also benefit the world that we live in and save you lots of money.
But unfortunately this form of education isn’t possible for everyone, and this is particularly true for those aged 4 to 16.
A study by PEW Research Center found that 15% of households in the US with children aged between 4 and 16 do not have access to the internet.
For online education to work, you have to have access to the internet, and this statistic just highlights why learning cannot become totally online.
A study by the same company also found that Americans who have lower incomes have less technology adoption.
This basically means that those on lower incomes utilize less technology, and this could make online learning more difficult.
So while it may be a good option for many, it is important that education doesn’t solely take place online.
Latest study on online learning vs classical learning
A recent study published in Nature examines the effectiveness of online learning compared to traditional classroom settings. Key findings include:
- Retention Rates: Online learners had retention rates up to 60% higher than those in traditional classrooms.
- Flexibility and Accessibility: 78% of participants cited flexibility as the primary advantage of online learning, allowing them to balance education with personal and professional responsibilities.
- Performance: Students in online courses performed equally well or better than those in traditional settings, with 68% of online learners achieving grades comparable to or higher than their in-person counterparts.
- Satisfaction: The study revealed that 85% of students were satisfied with their online learning experience, highlighting convenience and self-paced learning as significant benefits.
- Challenges: However, the study also noted challenges such as the digital divide, with 20% of students facing issues related to internet access and technology.
These findings underscore the growing viability and benefits of online learning while also highlighting areas needing improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between In-Person And Online Learning?
In-person learning is hands-on, emphasizing direct interaction between teachers and students. Online learning is flexible and relies on internet resources like videos. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and statistics can help evaluate their effectiveness.
What is more effective, online or in-person learning?
Online learning tends to be more effective in terms of information retention. Studies suggest that students can retain between 25% and 60% more material when learning online compared to just 8-10% in a traditional classroom. This higher rate of retention makes it a more effective option for many learners.
What percentage of students prefer in-person learning?
According to a study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, 79% of undergraduate students preferred in-person learning over online learning. However, this statistic varies depending on the age group and the type of course. For example, older students and graduate students may prefer online learning due to its flexibility.
What percentage of students do better online?
Approximately 70% of students agree that online classes are better than traditional classroom settings, indicating a strong preference for online learning. This suggests that a significant majority of students feel they perform better or have a better learning experience online.
What are the negative statistics associated with online learning?
Online learning has been associated with higher dropout rates and lower retention rates compared to in-person learning. In addition, students who take online courses may experience feelings of isolation and lack of motivation, which can negatively impact their academic performance.
What is the success rate of in-person learning compared to online learning?
The success rate of in-person learning versus online learning varies depending on the course and the student. However, studies have shown that students who take in-person courses tend to have higher grades and retention rates compared to those who take online courses.
Summary
Statistics offer valuable insights into the pros and cons of both in-person and online learning. They can help guide individual choices and reveal trends, such as the correlation between age and the most effective learning method. For example, while online learning may be less ideal for school-age children, it appears more beneficial for those in further education. If you’re weighing your educational options, these statistics are worth examining.
Other Sources:
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
BestColleges
Statista
Forbes
Potomac
Nu
Pew Research
Research.com
Luisazhou
