Over the last decade, online learning platforms have revolutionized education, making it easier than ever to gain new skills, boost productivity, or even make a career change. From academic courses on Coursera to creative lessons on MasterClass, more students and professionals are turning to e-learning to stay competitive and adapt to the changing job market. With flexible learning options and a growing demand for digital skills, online education is reshaping how we learn. But what do the numbers really say? Let’s dive into the latest online learning statistics to see the bigger picture.
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Key Online Learning Statistics & Trends
- The online learning market has grown 900% globally since the year 2000 (Source: Oxford Learning College)
- The number of online learning users is expected to reach 57 million by 2027 (Source: Prosperityforamerica)
- The global e-learning market is projected to reach $406–$417 billion by 2026 (Source: Reportlinker.com)
- 2 out of every 5 Fortune 500 companies take advantage of e-learning (Source: Findstack.com)
- 70% of students agree that online classes are better than traditional classroom settings (Source: University of the Potomac)
- E-learning can help students retain between 25% and 60% more information (Source: Research Institute of America / SH!FT)
- By 2020, 77% of US corporations had incorporated online learning into their organization, with adoption rates continuing to climb since (Source: Small Business Trends)
- Distance learning uses 90% less energy and 85% fewer CO2 emissions per student compared to campus-based learning (Source: The Open University in Britain)
- E-learning has helped to increase income for 42% of US organizations (Source: thrivemyway)
- E-learning improves employee performance by 15–25% (Source: American Heart Association)
- The corporate e-learning industry is expected to be worth nearly $50 billion by 2026 (Source: Business Wire)
What is Online Learning?
Online learning is a form of learning that is delivered over the internet, it’s a convenient and flexible way to acquire new skills and knowledge as opposed to a traditional classroom setting. Courses and learning programs can range from academic subjects, to professional training or for the fun of learning a new skill or hobby.
A wide variety of learning formats are used from video lectures, interactive quizzes, discussion forums, peer assessment and even live classes. What makes online learning so appealing for many is that you can learn at your own pace, anytime and anywhere on your preferred device.
Online Learning Statistics in detail
Let’s look in more detail about the top elearning statistics and trends to give you a better and more in-depth understanding of how the online learning industry is really booming.
1. The online learning market has grown 900% globally since the year 2000
The online learning market has skyrocketed, with a 900% growth globally since the year 2000, making it the fastest-growing industry in the education sector.
(Source: Oxford Learning College)
2. 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)
3. Global E-learning Market to reach USD $457.8 billion by 2028
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 training, it is very likely you have been introduced to online learning.
(Source: Reportlinker.com)
4. Since 2020, 98% of Universities 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 behaviour, but the pandemic accelerated this change, and it’s here to stay.
(Source: Higher Ed Partners)
5. 2 out of every 5 Fortune 500 companies take advantage of E-learning
Nearly half of the Fortune 500 companies have acknowledged the importance of incorporating e-learning into their business models. They have seen a correlation between company success and an upskilling of their employees.
(Source: Findstack.com)
6. 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 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)
7. 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.
According to the latest figures, 98% of students surveyed said they would recommend online education to others.
(Source: bestcolleges.com)
8. 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 learning experience with access to go back and revisit video classes or course material at a touch of a button.
(Source: The Research Institute of America/SH!FT)
9. By 2020, 98% of US corporations have incorporated online learning into their organization
The use of online learning by US corporations has increased significantly in the last 25 years from a modest 4% of organizations in 1995 to nearly all companies by 2020.
This has been driven by both technological advances, and educational service providers identifying consumer and corporate needs for upskilling and career flexibility.
Nearly all online learning platforms offer team and business plans for companies and most offer a custom-based plan for organizations, so they can meet the needs of their employees.
(Source: Small Business Trends)
10. Distance learning uses 90% less energy and 85% fewer CO2 emissions per student compared to campus-based learning
Online learning can help reduce the use of raw materials like plastic, wood and metals as there is no need to construct 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)
11. Elearning has helped to increase income for 42% of US organizations
Nearly half of companies have reported an increase in revenue by switching from traditional learning methods. Elearning has benefited company revenue due to the fact it is convenient and budget friendly.
(Source: thrivemyway)
12. Elearning improves employee performance by 15-25%
Since e-learning improves company efficiency, it follows that employee productivity also improves, with studies showing this can be up to 25%. This increase in productivity improves employee morale, creating a healthy and happy working environment for all.
(Source: American Heart Association)
13. The corporate elearning industry is expected to be worth nearly USD$50 billion by 2028
As the corporate world has adopted online learning for its employees, the elearning industry is expected to grow by 15% annually. The key factors which contribute to this increased growth are the elearning employee training programs and microlearning to keep employees up to date with new skills and technologies.
(Source: Business Wire)
14. 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 65% of all online college students in 2024.
That’s a significant shift from 2022, when women made up only 48% of online learners. According to EducationDynamics’ 2024 report, the breakdown now stands at 65% female, 31% male, and 5% non-binary.
(Source: UAGC / EducationDynamics 2024)
15.Online learning requires 40-60% less time than traditional learning
According to a Brandon-Hall Study, 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
The K-12 education system (aged 4-16) was highly affected by the global pandemic and was forced to move its learning online.
- 726 full-time virtual schools enrolled more than 643,930 US K-12 public school students in 2021-22, nearly double the figures from 2019-20 (Source: ERIC/ED628827)
- In 2020, the graduation rate for US public high school students was 87.4%, dipping slightly to 87.0% in 2020-21 (Source: NCES)
- By 2021, only 3% of students aged 3-18 had no internet access at home, meaning 97% were connected (Source: NCES)
- Americans with lower incomes still have lower levels of technology adoption (Source: Pew Research Center)
- The Covid-19 Pandemic shut down schools for 1.6 billion students at its peak (Source: UNICEF)
16. 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. Be mindful that these numbers have grown significantly since then, reaching 726 virtual schools by 2021-22.
(Source: NEPC Resources )
17. In 2020, the graduation rate for K-12 students was just 54.6%
The NEPC Report of 2021 found that the graduation rate of K-12 was significantly lower at just 54.6%, whereas the average national graduation rate is 87%.
(Source: NEPC Resources )
18. 15% of US households with school-age children do not have internet at home
A report from Pew Research Center found that school-age children in lower-income households are less likely to have broadband access at home, which naturally leads to students in these households having a disadvantage.
(Source: Pew Research Center)
19. Americans with lower incomes have lower levels of technology adoption
A report by Pew Research Center found that 13% of adults in lower-income households (earning less than $30K) lack access to all four key technologies: a smartphone, desktop or laptop, tablet, and home broadband.
(Source: Pew Research Center )
E-Learning Statistics for Business
Businesses and Companies aren’t missing out on using Online Learning to upskill and train its employees. Check out the latest Online Learning Statistics for Businesses below.
- 93% of Companies Globally, Plan to Adopt Online Learning (Source: Finances Online)
- On Average, 42% of Companies who use elearning generate more income (Source: TechJury)
- Corporate e-learning is expected to grow by over 250% between 2017 and 2028 (Source: Business Wire)
- IBM saved approximately $200 million after switching to e-learning (Source: SH!FT)
- With elearning, Employee Engagement can increase by up to 18% (Source: PapersOwl)
20. 93% of Companies Globally, Plan to Adopt Online Learning
If a company doesn’t already have online knowledge, then they will be adding online education into the companies business model to help employees upskill and develop their existing skills.
(Source: Finances Online)
21. On Average, 42% of Companies who use elearning generate more income
Nearly half of companies who use online learning platforms generate more income, which has a positive impact on company revenue. Over 4 in 10 companies that use elearning produce higher returns than companies that don’t.
(Source: TechJury)
22. Corporate e-learning is expected to grow by over 250% between 2017 and 2028
The corporate e-learning market is growing fast. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global corporate e-learning market is projected to reach $115.74 billion by 2028, driven by flexibility in learning, low cost, easy accessibility, and a steady rise in internet users worldwide.
(Source: Mordor Intelligence)
23. IBM saved approximately USD $200 million after switching to e-learning
Companies are able to reduce costs arising from travel, hotel stays, rental apartments, equipment, instructors and so on. When you add all these expenses together, you get a clearer picture of how a company or organization like IBM can save such a significant amount of money.
(Source: SH!FT)
24. With elearning, Employee Engagement can increase by up to 18%
By offering your employees professional development with elearning courses, it helps them to feel valued, plus it opens up opportunities for promotions and career development. This improvement in employee engagement results in lower employee turnover and better workplace morale.
(Source: PapersOwl)
25. 58% of Employees Globally Prefer to Learn at their own pace
In 2018, LinkedIn Learning surveyed 4,000 professionals globally on LinkedIn and found that more than prefer to learn at their own pace.
(Source: LinkedIn Learning)
26. 72% of Organizations believe elearning increases their competitive edge
Back in 2017, 72% of American organizations stated that eLearning gives them a competitive advantage, and that mindset hasn’t faded. Organizations believe that upskilling their employees keeps them ahead of ever-changing technologies and, ultimately, ahead of competitors.
(Source: CertifyMe.net)
27. By 2028, the corporate online learning market is expected to hit $50 billion.
The global corporate e-learning market was valued at $14.23 billion in 2017 and is projected to reach $115.74 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of around 14.8% during the forecast period.
(Source: businesswire.com)
Online Learning Stats by Country
I thought it would be interesting to see how online learning is having an impact globally and which parts of the world are taking full advantage of the phenomenon. Check out the latest online learning statistics by country below.
- The majority of the Global eLearning Industry is in the US and Europe (Source: elearningindustry)
- The Asia E-Learning Market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 15.7% from 2021 to 2030 (Source: Allied Market Research)
- Asia Pacific E-Learning Market will exceed USD $90 billion by 2026 (Source: edventuresgba)
- In 2021, the highest number of remote learners on Coursera’s platform are from the US and India (Source: Coursera)
- In 2021, the number of EU citizens and residents taking online courses increases with Ireland coming out on top (Source: Schengenvisainfo.com)
28. The Majority of the Global eLearning Industry is in the US and Europe
The US and Europe make up the majority of the worldwide elearning industry, 70% to be accurate. This education statistic shows us that online learning is most popular in these parts of the world.
(Source: elearningindustry)
29. Asia Pacific E-Learning Market size is expected to grow by 11% from 2020 to 2028
The combination of smartphones and high-speed internet connectivity in several countries in Asia Pacific will drive growth in the e-learning market. In particular, mobile e-learning technology is gaining high momentum in Asia Pacific with popularity growing in China, South Korea and Australia.
(Source: Graphical Research)
30. Asia Pacific E-Learning Market will exceed USD$90 billion by 2028
The momentum of the growing Asia Pacific E-learning Market isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Factors like the Covid-19 pandemic, mobile e-learning and the shift of online learning over traditional learning have all played a part in this predicted market increase.
(Source: edventuresgba)
31. In 2021, the highest number of remote learners on Coursera’s platform are from the US and India
The US tops the charts with 17.3 million learners enrolling in an online course with Coursera, followed by India with 13.6 million learners. Mexico comes in third with 8 million learners, followed by Brazil and China taking 4th and 5th place.
(Source: Coursera)
32. In 2021, the number of EU citizens taking online courses increases with Ireland out on top
In 2021, 46% of learners aged between 16 and 74 from Ireland are doing online courses or using online learning material. This is followed by learners from Finland, Sweden and the Netherlands.
(Source: Schengenvisainfo.com)
33. The elearning market in India is predicted to reach $8.6 billion USD by 2028
India is one of the leading countries in online learning, and has become an integral part of schooling and in the workplace. Matched with the face the internet is cheaper and more accessible, rural Indian communities are getting online.
(Source: Research and Markets)
34. The European elearning market is expected to grow by $28 billion in the next 5 years.
Elearning in Europe is expected to grow at a rapid rate. According to Technavio, the European eLearning market is projected to increase by USD 129.14 billion between 2025 and 2030, at a CAGR of 22.5%.
(Source:Technavio)
35. The German e-learning market is predicted to grow at a rate of 22% through to 2028.
According to Grand View Research, the German corporate e-learning market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 20.3% from 2025 to 2030. In February 2021, the Berlin Senate Department for Education signed an agreement to use LMS platforms in schools in Berlin.
(Source: Grand View Research)
Academic & Higher Education Statistics
- Nearly 4,000 post-secondary institutions in America pivoted to online learning in 2020 (Source: Quality Matters CHLOE Project)
- 63% of educational institutions made substantial investments supporting online learning in 2020 (Source: Quality Matters CHLOE Project)
- In spring 2020, 77% of public schools moved to online distance learning, though the majority returned to in-person or hybrid models by fall 2021 (Source: NCES)
- By 2023, 58% of college students had taken at least one online course (Source: Best Colleges)
- In 2020, 14% of undergraduate students in the US used their phones or tablets to complete most of their course-related activities, while 82% relied on laptops
36. Nearly 4,000 post secondary institutions in America pivoted to online learning in 2020
In Spring 2020, close to 4,000 institutions moved to remote learning, this shift has meant that the whole teaching and learning structure has had to change rapidly.
(Source: Quality Matters CHLOE Project)
37. 63% of educational institutions made substantial investments supporting online learning in 2020
During 2020, more than half of educational institutions in the US invested in supporting online learning, this was a necessity at the time and in some cases it’s here to stay.
(Source: Quality Matters CHLOE Project)
38. In 2021, 75% of US schools have planned to operate completely online
The adoption of online learning was one of the biggest shakeups our modern-day school system has ever seen with 3/4 of US schools making this change.
(Source:thinkimpact)
39. 67% of college students use mobile devices for online learning
A study found that 67% of fully online students completed at least some of their coursework on a mobile device.
(Source: Campus Technology)
Education Statistics on Online Learning Platforms
We took a look at online learning statistics for specific platforms and found some interesting facts to help you get to know these tools a little better.
- Coursera recorded 20 million new student registrations in 2021 (Source: Coursera)
- Udemy is one of the most widely used elearning platforms, with over 82 million learners as of 2025 (Source: Electroiq)
- Chris Voss Teaches the Art of Negotiation is the most popular MasterClass on its platform (Source: Grand Canyon University)
- 81% of Coursera learners gave their course a 5-star rating (Source: Coursera)
- Udacity and AWS collaborated to offer 425 scholarships to women and underrepresented groups (Source: Udacity)
40. Online learning platform Coursera recorded 20 million new student registrations in 2021
By 2016, Coursera had reached 23 million registered users in total. That number grew significantly, with the platform adding around 23 million new learners in 2018 alone.
When the pandemic hit, growth accelerated sharply. Coursera added 30.6 million new users in 2020, bringing its total learner base to 76 million. By 2021, that figure had climbed to 91 million.
(Source: Coursera)
41. Udemy is the most popular elearning platform, with over 50 million students
Udemy was founded in 2009, and it has grown steadily since then. By 2022, the platform had reached over 52 million learners, and that number has kept climbing with no signs of slowing down. Today, Udemy hosts over 262,000 courses across categories like Business, Music, Health & Fitness, and much more.
(Source: Udemy)
42. Chris Voss Teaches the Art of Negotiation is the most popular MasterClass on its platform
Grand Canyon University analyzed three engagement metrics of MasterClass trailer videos that included: number of video views, number of likes and number of comments. It found that Chris Voss’ MasterClass had over 22,000,000 views and close to 2,000 likes. You may not have expected that to be the case from a former FBI hostage negotiator, but it’s an interesting insight into what learners are engaged by.
(Source: Grand Canyon University)
43. 81% of Coursera learners gave their course a 5-star rating
According to Coursera’s 2021 impact report, over 80% of learners would give their course a 5-star rating, which is pretty positive feedback. The average course rating is 4.7 and 94% of learners would recommend Coursera to a friend.
(Source: Coursera)
44. Udacity and AWS collaborated to offer 425 Scholarships to women and underrepresented groups
In 2021, Udacity and AWS partnered to offer scholarships for the AWS Machine Learning Program. The scholarship is open to students aged 16 and older who have an interest in machine learning. It’s a great example of how Udacity has been actively collaborating with its partners to create real learning opportunities.
(Source: Udacity)
45. Top teachers at Skillshare earn around $3K per month on average
As a teacher at Skillshare, you get paid for the number of minutes watched by students in their classes each month. Many teachers can pay their rent with earnings from a single class.
(Source: Smallbiztrends)
46. It is rumored that MasterClass celebrity instructors are paid around $100,000 up front and receive 30% of the revenue of the classes
According to an article by The Hollywood Reporter a $100,000 is the entry-level pay for some instructors, apparently for many of the instructors it isn’t about the money, it is their way to give back.
(Source: The Hollywood Reporter)
47. Since 2019, MasterClass has distributed 345k+ free annual memberships to underserved communities
MasterClass has a social impact program that works closely with charitable organizations serving communities in need, focusing on low-income families and BIPOC youth.
Since 2019, MasterClass has given out over 315,000 free annual memberships to underserved communities, more than 150,000 to currently or formerly incarcerated individuals, and 718 free memberships directly to nonprofits.
(Source:MasterClass)
48. Lewis Hamilton is the first community ambassador working with MasterClass to distribute 200,000 free annual memberships
In partnership with Lewis Hamilton, MasterClass distributed 200,000 free annual memberships to every student enrolled in a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), through a collaboration with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). The goal is to open up new ways of learning and give students a real boost in advancing their knowledge and futures.
(Source:MasterClass)
49. Mindvalley has a 50.16% demographic of females compared to males
Mindvalley’s audience skews notably female, with 63.77% female visitors compared to 36.23% male, and the largest age group of visitors are 55 to 64-year-olds.
(Source:Mindvalley)
50. Coursera courses that are one month long have the highest completion rate
Coursera courses that are roughly 4 weeks long have the highest completion rate, ensuring that each week a new concept is covered that includes hands-on learning.
(Source: Coursera)
51. A quarter of MasterClass students say that taking MasterClass classes have changed their lives.
According to a report by techcrunch it has found that one-fourth of MasterClass students say that taking these classes have transformed their lives.
(Source: MasterClass)
52. In 2024, Udemy has more than 69 million learners
Udemy is one of the world’s largest online learning marketplaces, with 77 million learners enrolled on the platform by the end of 2028.
(Source:Udemy)
53. Since 2019, MasterClass has distributed 515k+ free annual memberships to underserved communities
MasterClass has been working with underserved communities from low-income families, BIPOC youth, and current or formerly incarcerated individuals since 2019.
(Source: MasterClass)
If you are interested in reading in more detail about different Online Learning Platforms you can check out our overview article on Best Online Learning Platforms here
Pros & Cons of Online Learning
Online Learning Pros
- Industry & Academic Experts: Online learning gives you access to both live and recorded sessions from industry and academic experts at the top of their fields. These are people who wouldn’t typically have the bandwidth to teach a traditional in-person class, so getting their insights in any format is a real privilege.
- Affordable: Since online learning doesn’t require the physical infrastructure of a university, it can be offered at a fraction of the price. Many courses are available for under $15, and plenty are completely free.
- Self-Paced: University classes can’t slow down or speed up for individual learners, but online learning is far more versatile. You can work through a course at whatever pace suits you, stepping back to review tricky concepts or pushing ahead when you’re confident.
- Flexible: Online learning is a great option if you already have a full-time job but want to change careers or take the next step. No fixed class times means you can fit your coursework around your own schedule.
- Variety: The range of subjects available online is far wider than anything a traditional campus could offer. From niche technical skills to broad professional development, there’s something for almost every learning goal.
- Community: Many online learning platforms include forums and discussion spaces where you can connect with other learners studying the same topics. It’s a genuine way to build professional and personal connections with people who share your interests.
Online Learning Cons
- No in-person lectures: One disadvantage of online learning is that recorded lectures don’t always give you the opportunity to ask questions while you’re being taught. While some online learning platforms have resources for getting help with your questions, you typically won’t be able to ask your questions on the spot.
- Hard to focus: Some people have difficulty staying focused when using technology, which can make online learning tricky. Elearning platforms don’t give you the same accountability for paying attention that in-person classes do.
- Lack of interaction: At times, online learning may feel isolating, and some may feel they are missing out on social interaction and networking opportunities you get in a traditional classroom setting.
- Technical difficulties: Due to the nature of online education, you need to have access to the internet to be able to participate. If you don’t have a computer or other device, or if you have an inconsistent or weak internet connection, online learning may be difficult for you.
- Self-discipline: While being able to work at your own pace can be a benefit of online learning, it also means that nobody is making sure you stay on track to finish your course. Online learning requires a high level of self-discipline and motivation.
Impact of Covid-19 for Online Learning
While online learning had been gaining popularity for more than a decade, the Covid-19 pandemic forced millions of learners and institutions to switch to online education almost overnight.
During the height of the pandemic, over 1.6 billion primary, secondary, and graduate students around the world were unable to attend school in person. Advances in online education meant that many of these students could transition to virtual learning relatively quickly.
Some schools were closed for as much as 71 weeks. By spring 2020, 84% of college students reported having some or all of their classes moved to online-only instruction, with many others enrolling in hybrid courses combining limited in-person lectures with online work.
Online Learning Statistics: Last Thoughts
The elearning statistics are clear: online learning is the future. More and more businesses and educational institutions are transitioning to online learning all the time, and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down, you have the facts and stats to prove it.
Some key benefits of online learning as opposed to traditional learning:
- Versatile for any kind of lifestyle
- Much more affordable than a traditional university education
- Lessons taught by experts in the field
- Lets you study at your own pace
- Gives access to a community of mentors and like-minded peers
Whether you’re a recent high school graduate looking for an option other than traditional education or an employed professional wanting to prepare for the next steps of your career, online learning can be a perfect option for you.
Please leave a comment below if you have any questions, and I’ll do my best to help you out.
FAQ
Online learning is not just effective for learners, but it also has a positive impact on our environment. According to the Open University, online courses use 87% less energy per student and release 85% less CO2 compared to face-to-face classes.
Around 40% of Fortune 500 companies use e-learning as part of their business model, with some newer sources suggesting adoption has climbed as high as 70-75% by 2023. The correlation between employee upskilling and company success is hard to ignore.
(Source: Findstack.com)
On average, the total cost of attendance at a US-based public university runs around $31,000 per year for in-state students, and over $50,000 per year for out-of-state students (Source: usnews.com). That figure includes tuition, housing, food, and books, so the full picture is steeper than most people expect.
By contrast, online learning certificates are available in all price ranges, starting as little as $10 per course with platforms like Udemy. Some platforms charge more, like Udacity and Coursera, who offer Nanodegrees and Degree Programs that can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Still, it’s a fraction of a traditional university degree. Distance education can save you thousands of dollars, not to mention the added income from becoming employed far quicker than a four-year degree allows.
Even for students wanting to take on a full-time course load through a university, distance learning is far more affordable than traditional learning. Taking online classes through a private university can often save students up to $20,000 per year compared to in-person courses at the same institution.
The average bachelor’s degree graduate leaves school with around $35,530 in student loan debt, according to the Education Data Initiative. Those who learn online are often able to pay for their course upfront or spread the cost over the duration of the program. Starting a career with little to no debt makes a significant financial difference over a lifetime.
The cost difference per credit hour tells the full story. The average cost per credit hour for online undergraduate courses at US public universities is around $356, compared to over $1,000 for in-person classes once course fees are factored in. That gap adds up fast across a full degree program.
In addition to the low cost, another key benefit of online learning as opposed to traditional learning is that it can be much quicker. According to SH!FT online learning requires 40-60% less time than a traditional classroom setting.
Getting a bachelor’s degree typically takes at least four years, and can be as much as six years for some difficult programs. By contrast, many e-learning courses can be less than six months long and even as short as a month, helping learners find employment much quicker than traditional education.
The significant downside to online learning is low completion rates. Research shows the median online course completion rate is just 12.6%, meaning roughly 87% of learners never finish the courses they start.
This doesn’t mean distance learning isn’t right for you, though. Be mindful that these figures vary widely depending on the format. Free MOOCs average just 5-15% completion, while paid courses reach around 60% and cohort-based courses climb as high as 72%.
Completing a course in full isn’t always necessary to get value from it, either. The affordability of e-learning means many learners sign up specifically to cover one topic or skill, and that’s a perfectly valid way to learn.
There are a wide variety of subjects and topics available to study online, but the most popular ones are typically related to business, finance, and technology. Some of the most searched-for online course topics are business, computer programming, statistics, real estate, photography, graphic design, and mathematics from the top online learning platforms (Source: coursemethod.com).
According to Bay Atlantic University (BAU) based on its learners, 30% have graduated from online Business courses, 19% Computers & IT, 14% Health & Medicine and so on. So whether you’re interested in an online course to further your career or just for the fun of it, there’s sure to be an online course that you’ll love. To check out just the vast majority of online courses out there, you can take a look at platforms like MasterClass or Skillshare.
As online learning becomes an increasingly common option, employers are hiring more graduates of elearning programs. This is especially true in technical fields like computer science, where the path to a career no longer requires a traditional degree. In fact, the 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey shows that around 13% of professional developers are entirely self-taught, with many others combining formal education and independent study to build their skills.
Some online learning platforms even boast higher job placement rates than many universities. Udacity, for example, has over 100,000 program graduates, and 7 out of every 10 Udacity graduates find themselves in a favorable career outcome after completing their program.
It’s become common for companies to provide online learning for their employees. This is a great way for employers to help their workers gain the skills they need to provide more value to the company, at a fraction of the cost of sending employees to conferences and professional development seminars. As of January 2022, a whopping 90% of companies provide online learning options for their employees; only 5% of companies did so 25 years ago. It’s clear that online learning has expanded rapidly and seems to be the future.
Absolutely! While an internet connection is needed to take an online learning course, learners don’t necessarily need a laptop or desktop computer to study. Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, Masterclass, and many more offer dedicated mobile apps that make learning from a smartphone genuinely convenient. Be mindful that TV app support varies by platform, with some like MasterClass supporting Roku, while others like Udemy require casting via AirPlay rather than a native app.
Mobile learning is clearly the norm now. A 2021 study found that 81% of students use smartphones for learning at least once a week, making it easier than ever to fit a lesson into a commute or a lunch break.
The boom in online learning over the last few years has certainly been significant, but data indicates it’s not done growing yet. The portion of online learning that’s growing the quickest is MOOCs, or Massive Open Online Courses. MOOCs are able to grow rapidly and scale up indefinitely to more online students due to the recorded lectures and automatic project grading many of them have.
The market for MOOCs is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 40% for the next several years, and shows no signs of slowing down after that.
27 comments
Milania Christensen
1 July 2026, 08:05
Switching careers into business at 29 felt terrifying until I started researching MBA programs abroad. This gave me a much clearer sense of what admissions committees actually expect from older applicants.
Catherine Cooke
2 July 2026, 10:36
Thanks so much for sharing your experience 😊
Dirk Schneider
18 May 2026, 09:31
These growth numbers are exciting, but they mask the biggest challenge I see as a practitioner: discoverability. The same explosion in course content makes organic SEO harder. We track related data on this, and the economics of content production are shifting the SEO tactics that actually work for programmatic pages.
Catherine Cooke
19 May 2026, 13:00
Thanks for your sharing your insights!
kshitij
29 July 2025, 15:50
Writing a PhD thesis can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Hayden Byron
24 July 2025, 03:17
After reading this article, I have a new understanding of this topic. Thank you very much for the author’s careful organization and sharing.
Catherine Cooke
24 July 2025, 06:30
Thanks so much Hayden for your kind comment. Happy that you like the content. Happy learning!
Camryn Burton
3 May 2025, 05:05
Thanks for this blog.
Catherine Cooke
5 May 2025, 11:11
Thanks Camryn 🙂
aisha
20 November 2023, 12:16
thank you for the numbers and charts, they were very helpful
Catherine Cooke
21 November 2023, 07:24
Thanks Aisha, So happy to hear the article is helpful 🙂
Akshat
25 August 2023, 14:13
I appreciate your kind words written in blog and for sharing your thoughts with us.
Catherine Cooke
27 August 2023, 10:47
Thanks Akshat for your comment 🙂
Akshat Aggarwal
7 July 2023, 06:20
Your blog is very helpful and informative. Thanks For Sharing With Us.
Catherine Cooke
7 July 2023, 09:48
Hey Akshat. Thanks so much for the comment, happy it is helpful and informative 🙂
Akshat
5 April 2023, 06:35
Your blog is very helpful and informative. I read this blog. Thanks For Sharing With Us. I will definitely go ahead and take advantage of this. Cheers for sharing with us your blog.
Catherine Cooke
5 April 2023, 10:04
You are welcome Akshat 🙂
Jennifer Wan
22 February 2023, 12:25
Very insightful article! Your detailed information on top online learning statistics and trends is very helpful for me to know more about the e-learning industry’s current state. Thank you for sharing this informational post. Keep posting!
Catherine Cooke
22 February 2023, 19:56
Thank you, Jennifer. Really happy this article is helpful to you 🙂
ayush
6 February 2023, 11:33
Very useful information
Catherine Cooke
6 February 2023, 11:43
Thank you ayush 🙂
Angela DiMarco
28 November 2022, 17:43
Thank you so much Catherine! This is all really helpful. Do you have any statistics on adult learners who take personal development online courses? How about live, virtual courses? I appreciate any further insights you may have!
Catherine Cooke
28 November 2022, 18:00
Thanks so much your comment Angela, happy to here you found the article so helpful. In the future, we hope to update the article with more statistics on adult learners 🙂
Angela DiMarco
28 November 2022, 18:24
Fantastic! I look forward to our new platform making your list next year! 😉
Animation Assignment Help
19 November 2022, 06:25
After all assignments are given to the students for their welfare but if this is not taken seriously then it might harm the academics so it is always better.
Cos Ole Mollel
19 October 2022, 07:12
Thank you Catherine for your excellent insight. It is instrumental.
Catherine Cooke
19 October 2022, 08:55
Thanks so much Cos. Really happy you found the article insightful 🙂