A 2025 NPR report found that 83% of online programs cost as much as or more than in-person versions. At public universities, the average cost for an online four-year degree can be slightly higher ($41,000) than the in-person equivalent ($39,000).
A 2025 Forbes article notes a 17-point swing in students favoring in-person lectures over the last two years, citing a preference for physical labs and social interaction. online schools college
Despite that shift, 95% of students still want at least one online course per semester, and demand for fully online programs continues to surge as students prioritize work-life balance. 4. Innovation: The "Competency-Based" Edge The 10 Benefits of Online Learning - School of Education A 2025 NPR report found that 83% of
There is a growing tug-of-war between flexibility and the desire for social connection: Despite that shift, 95% of students still want