The digital age of education is here. Online learning is transforming education as we know it. Since COVID-19 hit, the digital classroom has evolved from an option to a necessity almost overnight. But e-learning’s meteoric rise is more than just a pandemic fad. Enrollments in virtual courses have grown steadily for years, offering flexible and affordable education for all. How massive has this online education boom been? The numbers will blow you away.
From staggering revenue projections to millions of students now learning through laptops and phones, online education statistics reveal a fascinating shift. This is the era of education, anytime, anywhere. So plug in your devices and get ready as we explore 20 eye-opening online learning statistics that showcase technology’s pivotal role in the classrooms of today and tomorrow.
Major Online Education Statistics
- Not less than one online course was taken by 30% of United States undergraduate students during the 2021 fall.
- The global market share of online education in 2026 should reach $336.98 billion.
- Online training is currently provided by more than 80% of organizations.
- The opinion that online learning is more effective than the conventional learning system is upheld by 70% of students.
- Online learning courses have been completed by 49% of students globally.
- The market for global education has experienced a growth rate of 900% from the year 2000.
- Business is the most offered online course, with 30% of learners taking it.
- An average online course costs a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $300.
- By 2024, online learning in China is expected to rise to 490.5 yuan.
- The number of online students in 2027 is expected to be about 1 billion worldwide.
Major 2023 Online Learning Statistics
1. Not Less Than One Online Course was Taken by 30% of United States Undergraduate Students During the 2021 Fall.
The National Center reported that 30% of United States undergraduates for Education Statistics have undertaken at least one course online during the 2021 fall. Many think that online learning is flexible, affordable, and easily accessible.
2. The Online Global Education Market will Hit $336.98 Billion in 2026.
As online education gains popularity, so does the market share increase yearly. This growth can be attributed to the high demand for online learning materials and education from students and companies today. According to a forecast by research.com, the CAGR of the online education market will reach 9.1% between 2018 and 2026.
3. More Than 80% of Organizations Provide Online Learning and Training Programs.
Online learning is fast becoming a trend in the corporate world of today, with 80% of employers offering online training to their workforce. This can be attributed to the cost-effectiveness and efficiency that online training provides. Also, online learning resources are used by 50% of students in higher institutions.
4. Online Learning is Preferred Over the Conventional System of Learning by 70% of Students.
As the years go by, more and more students prefer the online learning method over the traditional classroom system. This increase can be attributed to the popular thought pattern that online learning is accessible flexible, and the study time can be personalized. Despite the view of many, 26% still believe that classroom education is better.
5. Globally, Just 49% of Online Students Completed Some of Their Online Courses.
About half of online students stated that they had completed some of their major courses. Technology, according to Statista, has changed the method of acquiring a skill, teaching, and education in today’s society. Before this digital era, their learning involved attending physical classes and lectures and using biological instructional materials.
6. Since 2000, the Online Education Market Has Experienced a Growth of 900%.
The eLearning market has experienced a growth rate of 900% since 2000. this substantial growth in online education can be attributed to its great acceptance globally. The trend of growth in online education is expected to last till 2025 and most probably beyond. Quite a good number of regions, such as Thailand, India, Philippines, and China, each contributed 30% to the yearly growth of the eLearning industry.
7. Business Programs Are the Most Popular Online Course Taken by 30% of Online Students.
Business courses are taken by 30% of online students, followed by computer science and IT with 19%. Healthcare and medical-related courses take third place, with 14% of online learners completing their studies.
8. The Average Cost For An Online Course is a Minimum of $50 and a Maximum of $300.
Statistics reveal that online courses are cheaper than the traditional learning system environment. For most online courses, the average cost of learning is between $50 to $300 because of certain factors. The subject or area of study and the educational institution are some deciding factors for the cost of an online learning program. Colleges save overhead costs when they open online learning portals to the public.
9. China’s Online Learning Market is Estimated to Hit 490.5 Billion Yuan in 2024.
The market size of China’s online education was estimated in 2020 to be 257.3 billion yuan. In an analysis by Statista of China online education from 2016 to 2024, the market size will keep on increasing until it gets to 490.5 yuan. The CAGR is projected to reduce to about 17.5% after an all rise in growth rate in previous years.
10. By 2027, Online Students are Expected to Reach 1 Billion Globally.
The number of digital students is increasing globally as more people enroll yearly in online education programs. This growth in participants has also increased the revenue of the market as well. The number of online students taking courses globally is expected to reach 1 billion by 2027.
Must Know Online Education Statistics
11. The Affordability of ELearning is the Major Reason Why 60% Enroll in Online Programs.
The first reason most college graduates choose an eLearning program is its relatively low cost. 46% of degree undergraduates also enroll in an online program due to its affordability. For most college students, the first thing to consider before starting an online course is the cost. Secondly, the reputation of the institution offering the system is considered by 39% of both college undergraduates and graduates when choosing an online school.
12. E-learning reduces the Energy Consumption Over the Traditional System of Learning by 90%.
In a study by open design innovation, the rate of energy consumption can be reduced by 90% when institutions of learning employ online learning. Offering online programs reduces the overhead cost of colleges and higher education.
13. The Top Three Online Educational Platforms are Courser, edX, and Udemy.
Statistics reveal that the first three popular learning sites are Coursera, edX, and Udemy. Other online learning platforms include Skillshare, Udacity, Moodle, Code Academy, Future Learn, and LinkedIn Learning. During the Covid pandemic, there was a great rise in online enrollment.
14. Online Education Takes Between 40% and 60% Less Time Than the Conventional Learning Method.
Research shows that students and employees who enroll in an online program do not spend as much time as those in a conventional classroom. In an online learning system, both money, time, and resources are saved by employees and students.
15. By 2025, the European Market for Online Education is Expected to Reach $28.36 Billion.
The European eLearning market is estimated to experience an increase to $28.36 billion and have a 13% CAGR by 2024. The growth in the European market can be attributed to the rise in the need for a personalized learning system.
16. EdX in 2020 Had An Increase of 29 Million Enrollment Into its Platform.
Globally, edX had an exponential growth of enrollment during the Covid-19 pandemic. The number of online students increased to 110 million in 2020 from its previous record of 81 million in 2019. This implied an increase of 29 million in just one year. At edX, there are 15,000 tutors from 160 affiliated institutions, including Berkeley, MIT, and Harvard.
17. 73% of Online Students Stated Their Interest in Attending Online Classes After the Covid 19 Pandemic.
In the United States, 73% of students in a survey said they prefer their online classes to the orthodox learning method. A lot of disagreement has been arising amongst parents and their children on the best learning method. This is because most students prefer the remote system of learning rather than attending a physical class of learning. The survey was conducted on 1,400 online students, of which a large percentage wanted to continue learning online after the covid 19 pandemic.
18. 81% of Undergraduates Stated That Online Learning Has Helped Improve Their Grades.
McGraw Hill, in a 2016 report on online analytics courses, stated that 81% of college undergraduates said they had an improved performance of grades at school through digital learning. 82% stated that online platforms made them more educated, while 81% in the survey indicated that online learning made them effective learners.
19. Denmark in 2021 Had the Most Efficient Online Educational Conditions.
In 2021, Denmark had the best learning conditions worldwide, thereby overtaking Norway at the first position in 2020. In the global ranking of countries with the best online learning practices, Norway fell to 9th place in 2021. Other nations with great online education settings include the United States, Hungary, France, Sweden, Hungary and the United Kingdom.
20. Ireland, in 2021, Was Ranked As the Country With the Worst Condition For Online Education.
It performed worse than Denmark in 2021 and ranked bottom in the online learning condition ranking. Ireland in 2021 was the lowest-equipped country in terms of online digital education. Also, the cost of online tutorials and the internet was high in Ireland in 2021, which made it unattractive to most students. Meanwhile, Mexico was ranked 30th place out of a total of 32 countries in 2021. Other countries with unfriendly online learning conditions in 2021 include Australia, Belgium, Italy, New Zealand, and Australia.
Challenges in Online Education
Some of the challenges experienced by online students include the following.
- Technical issues while using the internet to communicate and learn.
- Time management has been known to pose a problem during exam periods.
- The level of computer knowledge a student has can either make it an exciting experience or frustrating.
- Some persons find it difficult to keep up with the learning system as they have been used to the physical classroom method.
- The lack of facial interaction with schoolmates and instructors poses a problem for some online learners.
Conclusion
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of students and professionals who enroll in online learning platforms. This increase can be attributed to technological advancement and the convenience the internet gives its users.
The market for online learning has greatly improved since the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to be on the rise for years to come. Some of the benefits of online learning include learning flexibility, independence, better self-motivation, and time management. Though online learning has its downsides, such as little or no social interactions, it is still a great and efficient means of education.
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