subject: Enrollment Growth In Online Sector Could Slow [print this page] The online higher education sector recently saw a significant influx in enrollment as reported by an annual online education survey conducted by Babson Survey Research Group, College Board and the Sloan Foundation. With an additional 1 million students enrolled in at least one online course last year, overall enrollment skyrocketed to a staggering 5.6 million students. In fact, says Elaine Allen, the million-student enrollment increase marks "the largest ever year-to-year increase in the number of students studying online." But, forecasters warn that this growth spurt may not continue.
The question economic forecasters and researchers are asking is: can online enrollment maintain its current pace? The online education sector's growth rate in 2009 was nearly "10 times higher than the growth rate of the overall higher education student population" says the annual report produced by Babson Survey Research Group, College Board and the Sloan Foundation. To break those statistics down further - online college and university enrollment grew by 21% while general college enrollment saw just a 2% increase. The huge disparities have caused researchers to question the sustainability of the online enrollment movement.
Additionally, increased federal regulations on the for-profit education sector, which is comprised largely of online colleges and universities, and continuing fiscal pressures could both play a part in slowing online enrollment momentum. Current online college and university enrollment growth has stemmed from existing online institutions that have expanded their programs. Researchers have questioned how the implementation of new online degree programs at both for and non-profit schools will affect enrollment figures.
Will online education enrollment figures continue to rise? While the report concludes that there is "no compelling evidence that the continued robust growth in online enrollment is at its end;" researchers and forecasters continue to question. What can't be questioned, most agree, is the popularity of theonline learning sector and the accessibility and flexibility it has offered to non-traditional and traditional students alike who choose the digital platform in order to pursue a college degree.
by: Emily Sismour
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