In-Person vs Online Learning Statistics: The Top List of 2024

We have all had to adapt in recent years and that has meant our education system has been forced to be restructured. The traditional classroom setting has had to change rapidly, and online learning platforms have been on the rise ever since. More and more students and schools are transitioning to online learning and enrollment has never been higher.

This raises the question ‘How does online learning compare to traditional learning?’ Stick around to find out the top education statistics and facts in 2024.

Top In-Person Vs Online Learning Statistics & Trends in 2024

Online vs Traditional Learning Statistics & Trends in 2024 in detail

We will take a look at the top Online vs Traditional Learning statistics in 2024 and compare these two methods of learning.

1. The number of online learning platform users is expected to reach 57 million by 2027

The rate of users turning to online learning is growing rapidly each year, due to it convenience and low cost. The online learning market is growing on a wide scale globally.

(Source: Prosperityforamerica)

2. 70% of students agree that online classes are better than traditional classroom settings

A report from the University of Potomac has found a large percentage of its students prefer online learning over a traditional learning setting. This preferred way of distance learning is based on advantages like reduced expenses, time-saving allowing learning to fit around your schedule and by using technology, you become more tech-savvy than ever.

(Source: University of the Potomac)

3. Since 2020, 98% of Universities have moved its classes online

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education was quickly moved online and remote learning has now become the norm. This education revolution was already starting well before the pandemic due to technology changes and student behavior, but the pandemic accelerated this change, and it’s here to stay.

(Source: Admissionsly)

4. 77% of academic leaders believe online education is equal or superior to learning in the classroom

A survey by Babson College Board found that nearly 80% of academic leaders believe online learning is equal or superior to traditional learning. Over 69% of chief academic officers believe online learning is a critical part of the long-term education strategy.

5. Elearning can help students retain between 25% and 60% more information

The rates of retaining information have increased with online learning because learners have more control over their distance learning experience with the ability to go back and revisit video classes or their online course material at a touch of a button.

(Source: eLearning Industry)

6. 95% of online students said they would recommend online education to others

The data collected for this report is from 351 school administrators and 1,800 students. These findings are based on student satisfaction.

(Source: bestcolleges.com)

7. Online learning uses 90% less energy and 85% fewer CO2 emissions per student compared to learning in a traditional setting

Online learning can help reduce the use of raw materials like plastic, wood and metals as there is no need to construct or expand schools and educational institutions. As well as that, it reduces the food waste and disposable lunch products of students and teachers. So, it’s a no-brainer really that online learning is more sustainable and helps generate less carbon dioxide as a whole.

(Source: The Open University in Britain)

8. Global E-learning Market to reach USD $457.8 billion by 2026

Online learning is one of the most important parts of the modern educational system. The global elearning market is growing at a rapid rate in every corner of the world. So whether you are an elementary student, a K 12 student, in higher education or part of a company and online training, it is very likely you have been introduced to online learning.

(Source: Reportlinker.com)

9. Elearning requires 40% to 60% less time learning than traditional classrooms

Online learning is definitely more time effective than traditional face-to-face teaching when you consider the time it takes you to commute to and from the classroom, plus the typical overrunning of a typical class. If you are looking for a more productive and time effective way of learning than remote learning from the comfort of your own home is the one.

(Source: Brandon-Hall Group)

10. An online degree is more than $30K cheaper than a traditional on campus degree

(Source: Education Data Initiative)

A report from the Education Data Initiative that looked at 4 year degrees in US public colleges considered tuition costs, living costs, food, school supplies combined and found that an online degree worked out at $31,165 cheaper than an in-person degree.

11. 60% of US graduates choose an online program because of its affordability

A survey by Research.com of 1,500 online graduates and undergraduates found that the top factors for choosing an online program from an online community college due to its affordability, closely followed by the reputation of the school/program and the quickest path to getting the qualification.

(Source: Statista)

12. 63% of educational institutions made significant investments supporting online learning in 2020

During 2020, over 50% of educational institutions in the US invested in supporting distance learning. At the time this was crucial and for some institutions it is here to stay.

(Source: Quality Matters CHLOE Project)

13. Students can retain 25% to 60% more information when learning online

On average, students can retain 25% to 60% more information when learning online compared to 8% to 10% when in the classroom.

(Source: Thinkimpact)

14. 73% of US students want to continue taking online classes after the pandemic

A recent survey found that nearly three-quarters of students, said that they would take some or all of their classes online post-pandemic.

(Source: Campustechnology)

15. Western Governors University in Utah was ranked first for distance learning courses in 2022.

A 2023 survey by Statistica, found that out of all distance learning institutions in the US, the Western Governors University in Utah was ranked first with 136,139 students enrolling.

16. Online learning courses that are 4 weeks long have the highest completion rate

Coursera courses that are roughly a month long have the highest completion rate, if it includes a new concept each week and hands-on learning.

(Source: Coursera)

17. One-fourth of MasterClass students say that taking MasterClass classes have transformed their lives.

According to a report by techcrunch it has found that a quarter of MasterClass students say that taking these classes have changed their lives.

(Source: MasterClass)

18. Approximately 62% of students taking online courses are female

The number of female students surpassed male students in both full-time and part-time enrollments, making up more than half at 62%.

19.Elearning requires 40-60% less time than traditional learning

Learning online typically requires 40-60% less time than learning the same material in a traditional classroom setting.

(Source: Shiftelearning)

Online Learning Statistics for K-12 in 2024

The K-12 education system (aged 4-16) was highly affected by the global pandemic and forced to move its learning online.

20. 477 full-time virtual schools enrolled more than 300K US K-12 public school students

During 2019-20, 40 states had virtual or blended learning schools. There were 477 full-time virtual schools that enrolled 332,379 students, and 306 blended schools that enrolled 152,530 students.

(Source: NEPC Resources)

21. In 2020, the graduation rate for K-12 students was just 54.6%

The National Education Policy Center Report 2021 found that the graduation rates of K-12 was significantly lower with just 54.6% of virtual schools  and 64.3% in blended schools when the overall average of national graduation rate is 85%.

(Source: NEPC Resources)

22. 15% of US households with school-age children do not have internet at home

A report from the Pew Research Center has found that 15% of US households with children aged between 6 and 17 do not have a high-speed internet connection at home. These findings coincide with the annual household income with the majority of the 15% being from households earning less than $30K a year.

(Source: Pew Research Center)

23. Americans with lower incomes have less technology adoption

The Pew Research Center report of 2021 has highlighted that household incomes of less than $30K a year found 24% don’t have a smartphone, 43% don’t have a desktop or laptop and 4 in 10 adults do not have broadband services.

(Source: Pew Research Center)

24. The Covid-19 Pandemic shut down schools for 1.6 billion students at its peak

Schools were closed for an average of 4.5 months, affecting an estimated 1.6 billion students and creating what the United Nations has called the largest disruption to education in history. Even 2 years into the pandemic, 48 countries had not yet fully reopened their schools, according to the UN cultural organization UNESCO.

(Source: UNICEF)

Do Learners Prefer Online Learning?

25. 78% of learners would recommend e-learning to someone else.

Oxford College carried out a survey to see what students thought of online learning and how it impacted them. When they were asked if they would recommend e-learning to someone else, 78.2% of students said they would recommend online learning to someone else.

(Source: Oxford College)

Pros & Cons of In-Person Learning

Pros & Cons of Online Learning

Last Thoughts: In-Person Vs Online Learning Statistics

With all these education statistics as well as the pros and cons, it’s difficult to choose one or another. I think it’s important to consider the individual person and their circumstances like age, income, purpose of learning.

But what we can’t deny is that online learning is on the rise, and it is providing access to learning to more people than ever globally. Like anything in this life, both styles of learning have their pros and cons.

Some key takeaways of online learning vs traditional learning:

• More affordable than an on-campus program
• Time Saving and Flexibility
• Lack of social contact and community
• Less opportunity to ask questions

Please leave a comment below if you have any questions, and I’ll do my best to help you out.

FAQ