Online College Students 2019

The online student population is rapidly growing in size and complexity. While a growing number of prospective students creates enrollment opportunities, a school’s success can also depend on tailoring their programs and services to the motivations and needs of today’s online learners.

To access insights that illuminate how to engage this unique population, register for the eighth-annual Online College Students report, available now from Learning House, a Wiley brand, and Aslanian Market Research.

The report features results and recommendations from a survey of 1,500 prospective, current, and recently graduated fully online college students. What factors influence enrollment decisions? Is mobile access a prerequisite feature for online courses? Are online students acquiring soft skills that can further their careers? Download your free copy to find out.

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Key Findings

Online College Students 2019 delivers exclusive data for boosting online enrollment and retention efforts at your university. Key findings include:

• Online Students Believe They Acquire Soft Skills That Employers Desire
  Although only one-third to one-half of online students say their program taught soft skills, more than 60% reported improving these skills while enrolled. The most improved skills were critical thinking and problem-solving (85%), while the least improved were teamwork (69%) and oral communication (62%).
• Most Students Use Mobile Devices to Complete Coursework
  Two-thirds of prospective online college students want to use a smartphone or tablet to complete coursework. Despite this demand, 17% of respondents indicated that their program does not offer mobile access. Additionally, students age 45 and older are significantly less interested in using mobile devices to complete coursework.

• A Significant Proportion of Online Students Want a Lifelong Relationship with Their School
  After earning their degree, more than 40% of current online college students and graduates plan to take additional classes at their alma mater. Beyond continuing education opportunities, about one-third of these respondents plan to suggest their school to other people, about one-fifth joined or plan to join the alumni association, and 13% plan to donate to their school after graduation.
• Distance from Home to Campus Continues to Shrink
  The first year this study was conducted, 44% of online college students chose a college or university within 50 miles of their home. Now, 44% are enrolling at a school within 25 miles of home, and another 23% are enrolling at a school 26 to 50 miles from home.