Study of U.S. colleges shows increase in classes taken online

WELLESLEY, Mass. — Nearly one in five higher-education students now takes at least one class online, according to a new study of more than 2,500 colleges and universities nationwide.

The 2007 Sloan Survey of Online Learning, released by the Babson Survey Research Group, reveals that online enrollment rose by nearly 10 percent in fall 2006, to 3.49 million students. Approximately 3.18 million students had at least one online course in fall 2005.

“The growth in online learning continues to far outpace that of the broader student population,” said study co-author Dr. I. Elaine Allen, associate professor of Statistics & Entrepreneurship at Babson College. “Enrollment has increased at an average annual rate of 21.5 percent over the past five years compared with just 1.5 percent average annual growth for the overall higher education population.”

“The survey results speak to the significance of online learning in America today,” said Frank Mayadasprogram director of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. “With online students making up about 20 percent of the higher education population, we are seeing — and will continue to see — online learning playing a major role in the education of America’s college students.”