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Key Insights

•  Across 38 high-level degree categories, 26 saw increases in fully online distance education programs from 2017 to 2022, with 12 showing decreases.
• Education, Computer and Information Sciences, Business Management and Marketing, Interdisciplinary Studies and Health Professions added the most fully online programs over this period.
• Liberal Arts and Sciences, Homeland Security/Law Enforcement/Firefighting, Theology and Engineering lost the most fully online programs over this period.
• Champlain College reported 72% of U.S. adults believe online higher education is a more reputable way to get a degree than five years ago. Additionally, 84% agree employers are more accepting of online degrees today than pre-pandemic.

The last five years have seen an increasingly remote work and learning environment 鈥� thanks both to development of distance learning tools and the COVID-19 pandemic鈥檚 forced reevaluation of remote capabilities.

Higher education is no exception. Data shows an increase in both public acceptance of online degrees and the number of fully online programs available.

Nearly three-quarters (72%) of U.S. adults agree that online education is a more reputable way to get a degree than it was five years ago, according to a . In that same period, College Scorecard data shows more than 1,300 new online degree programs were made available, with just over 780 eliminated, for a net gain of 608 fully online distance education programs.

The combination of acceptance and availability of online degrees sets the stage for continued growth of virtual learning in higher education.

Online Degree Availability: By The Numbers

In 2020, COVID-19-related lockdowns forced many college programs previously offered on campus to shift to online learning. In the years following, more online programs were available as higher education transitioned back to campus learning and students once again became comfortable with in-person education.

Between the 2017 to 2018 academic year and 2021 to 2022 academic year (the most recent year for which data is available), College Scorecard reported a net 608 additional fully remote online degree programs available.

While some of this is likely due to lockdowns and a transition back to normal, the fact that programs continue to rise in availability shows a shift for the future of online secondary and postsecondary education.

Though it鈥檚 true there has been a net gain in the availability of fully-online degree programs, that growth is not universal across disciplines. The majority of degree categories have added fully online programs in the last five years, but several have actually eliminated programs.

Comparing 38 high-level degree categories, 26 saw an increase in fully online programs during this period (1,395 new programs total), while 12 reduced programs (787 eliminated programs total).

The largest gains were found in Education, Computer and Information Sciences, Business Management and Marketing, Interdisciplinary Studies and Health Professions.

Highest Gains in Online Degree Options

Conversely, 12 high-level degree categories eliminated fully remote programs between 2017 and 2022. Liberal Arts and Sciences, Homeland Security/Law Enforcement/Firefighting, Theology and Engineering lost the most programs in this period.

Most Losses in Online Degree Options

In many cases, disciplines that reduced programs for distance learning include hands-on learning that is difficult to achieve in a remote environment. For instance, other degree categories that cut online programs included Visual and Performing Arts and Transportation and Materials Moving. It鈥檚 possible these disciplines only instituted online programs as they were required by pandemic-era stipulations and are transitioning back to traditional learning now that those are not required.

Regardless, it鈥檚 clear that even as virtual learning is on the rise, it is still not universally applicable.

Online Degrees Become More Accepted In Last Five Years

It鈥檚 a question almost every student pursuing their degree online has asked 鈥� is an online degree reputable? While the most important consideration when choosing an online degree program is that the school offering the degree is accredited, many still worry that public opinion of online degrees will harm their career prospects.

For many online degree-graduates, the fact that their diploma was earned remotely will be a non-issue. That鈥檚 because most online degrees don鈥檛 have the word 鈥渙nline鈥� in the program name, and it therefore won鈥檛 be shown on your resume unless you choose to disclose it. Most colleges offer both in-person and online learning opportunities, so the school itself is not typically an indicator either.

Even if it is obvious that your degree was earned online, the trends illustrated in a study by Champlain College should grant some peace of mind.

According to the study, public perception of online programs is turning in favor of their validity, showing a marked increase in the last five years.

In a survey of U.S. adults, Champlain College sought to determine public opinion of degrees earned online and how they have shifted in the last five years. The study found a growing acceptance of these kinds of degrees and their value:

• About three-quarters (72%) of respondents believed online education was a more reputable way to get a degree than it was five years ago.
• Eighty-four percent agreed that employers were more accepting of online degrees than they were pre-pandemic.
• The majority of respondents (52%) believe online and on-campus degrees are equally valuable, with 36% saying online degrees were less valuable and 12% saying online degrees were more valuable.
• Only 8% of respondents believed online higher education was not successful in preparing students for success in their careers.

How this change in attitude will impact career prospects for graduates of online degrees remains to be seen, though the trends suggest having an online degree as opposed to an on-campus degree will not negatively affect hiring decisions.

The Future of Virtual Higher Education

Public opinion of online degrees is taking a turn for the better, and more fully online programs are available 鈥� but will the trend continue?

It鈥檚 possible that the increase in fully online programs is simply a result of increased demand post-pandemic. Still, as more see the value of an online degree, it鈥檚 likely that demand will continue. Combined with better distance learning resources available to educators, we could be looking at a shift in higher education.

As we鈥檝e seen a difference in programs being added or subtracted across industries, it seems we can expect the future of virtual learning to vary by discipline.

Methodology

OnlineU used data collected from College Scorecard to calculate the number of programs across 38 high-level degree categories that could be completed entirely via distance education for the 2017 to 2018 academic year and 2021 to 2022 academic year.

Champlain College surveyed 2,083 U.S. adults aged 18 to 55 with varying ethnicities, income, education levels and geographical location. The survey was conducted between July 12 and July 19, 2023.