Online education is booming. We all know the now obvious benefits that are advertised at every institution that offers online education. It is convenient and cost effective. It can now usually be accessed at any time and place. Websites promoting or informing potential students about online education have told us of the comfort of learning at your own pace and location. However, here are 25 surprising facts that most people may not know about online education.

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Distance education is big! And is growing. In contrast to a still common notion, online higher learning is not limited to a certain type of student. Distance education is used by students of all walks of life in almost every field of study. Because of its rapid growth, universities and colleges now focus more upon distance education and placing resources in online education presentation and development. This means that distance education students get schooling and training that are tailored for the needs and traits of the online learning environment and community.

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There are many reasons to study online. Common reasons are convenience and accessibility, scheduling flexibility and accelerated courses. Theseallow students to move more quickly through their studies than they could in the more common brick and mortar institutions. Distance education gives students the chance to continue in their careers and personal duties while earning their degrees. On the other hand, there are other good, though not so clear, and even surprising reasons for learning online.

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A common error about distance education is that it is more geared towards and a better fit for students who arent able to attend traditional classes. This can be because of age and the changes in state of life, work responsibilities and other similar reasons that college would create. But, the most recent data shows that distance learning is highly diverse. There is a large number of students of all ages who are working in an online program or in online courses. Online learning appeals to students of all ages because it gives the convenience, pacing and flexibility theyre looking for. According to the most recent studies:

When this data is further boiled down, the picture shifts to show that although distance learning is not exclusive to the 24+ age brackets, older students tend to study in distance learning programs at a higher rate than younger students:

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Many reasons are offered for the percentages of male and female students enrolled in distance education. The most recent data shows that more women than men enroll in online course and/or degree programs. Among undergraduate students the ratio between women and men is more even. In online graduate studies the number of female over male students is greater. Without trying to provide the many reasons why this is the case, here are the facts:

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Online studies are very racially and/or ethnically diverse. The National Center for Education Statistics provides the following breakdown of percentages of students in terms of their ethnic background:

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On account of the freedom and flexibility online schooling offers, studies find that students enrolled in online courses and degree programs vary widely from part-time students seeking to complete a degree, to students looking to advance their careers through more training and education, to full-time students, seeking to earn an undergraduate or graduate degrees. Heres the mix:

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Online colleges offer many more programs in a wider range of fields than you might expect. Students just like you are putting to very good use these great learning options.If a person thought that online college learning offers only a very small number of courses that relate to only a few basic areas of study, he or she would be in for a surprise at the vast and growing number of online courses, certificate and degree options. Hundreds, if not thousands, of online colleges courses in dozens of fields are now are open to distance learners. From business to computer science to education, engineering, health and sciences, to technical and vocational training, distance education has the power fill most any educational need. Online undergraduate and graduate students divide into the following groups of study:

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This may seem counter intuitive. Surely, online education makes living the life of both student and employee much more manageable. Truth be told, the majority of online college students dont seem to have jobs outside of their studies. The level of students with outside jobs becomes much higher among online graduate students as compared with their undergraduate counterparts.

For those whose entire degree is online the degree of employment for both undergraduates and graduate students goes down. At the same time the gap between employed graduate students versus undergraduates grows larger.

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It is true that most of the people who receive an online education are out of their parents homes. But, it may come as a surprise that there is a large percentage of undergraduates taking online courses and earning online degrees under their parents or guardians roofs. Independent undergraduate students are very attracted to online education as well, and the largest groups of independent undergrads have dependents of their own. Online graduate studies are almost pursued independents. The largest group that the option for online education assists is that of unmarried independent students who have their own dependents. The dependency status for distance education students reveals some surprising facts about the kinds of students online education is most serving.

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What online institutions attract the most students? Online education has created a space for both the establishment and rapid growth of private, for-profit distance education schools and degree programs. Public and private, non-profit online options are very popular in their own right. It may be a surprise to some that for-profit distance education programs receive the highest number of both undergraduate and graduate students. In undergraduate distance learning, for-profit online schools, according to the latest statistics, has a healthy lead over public and private non-profit avenues of distance education. In graduate studies the gap between for-profit and public or private non-profit school significantly increases.

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For some jobs, whether or not a degree is earned through a private, for-profit online school or a non-profit online school is a key factor for judging who is the most likely best hire.Its important to know how likely employers in your field of study and future work view this question. Some jobs tend to favor online degrees and training from non-profit schools over the same degrees from for-profit schools. Before you enroll in courses or a degree program, do some looking around among possible future employers to see if they have a preference one way or the other. This could mean the difference between getting a return call on your job application or not!

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Undergraduate students with disabilities are more likely to enroll in distance education.The most recent information on this topic is from the 2007-8 academic year. What this data reveals is that students with disabilities lasting 6 or more months such as impaired mobility, sensory disability as well as disabilities in learning, remembering and fulfilling other educational needs enroll in some form of distance learning at a higher rate than do students who do not report any disabilities. Sensory disability refers to conditions such blindness and deafness. Disability in learning can be caused by psychological, emotional or learning impairments that can affect a students ability to be successful in traditional college settings.

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This may come as a surprise to many, but the U.S. Department of Education reports that students completing online courses perform slightly better then their traditionally educated counterparts. A recent study conducted by the Department of Education found that, on average, students in online learning conditions performed modestly better than those receiving face-to-face instruction. Other studies argue that online students are more likely to drop out of courses than traditional students. However, if you have the motivation and discipline for online learning, youll be in the company of high achieving distance learners!

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Although online schooling may seem to remove any reason for choosing to study through a school in ones home state, more students choose to study online through schools in their home states. In 2014 there were a total 2.66 million students enrolled in online college courses and/or programs:

The majority of in-state online students pursue their studies through public, non-profit institutions. Federal and local financial aid and scholarships are likely a strong influence for these students.

When one looks at private distance learning options the proportion between in and out-of-state institutions is reversed. Private for-profit schools are the schools of choice for students who look beyond their home state for a distance education. Of the 1.12 million students taking classes online classes through out-of-state programs:

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Through advances in technology and communications, a college education through distance education is a global possibility. The advent of online education makes it possible for students who are outside the USA to receive advanced training and earn college degrees without having to leave their native countries. Online education is booming in poorer countries, which promises to raise the economic and social conditions in these countries.

The 2016Distance Education: Statewide, Institutional, and International Applications provides massive documentation on the rapid growth of international participation in US-based as well as non-American online colleges and universities by international students throughout the world.

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Distance education is defined by the National Center for Education Statistics as: any online class or degree program conducted entirely online [source]. Many online schools and degree programs participate in the Federal Financial Aid program, and are thereby able to offer distance learning students access to federal loans and grants just like on-site colleges and universities. If you are looking to receive financial aid be sure to check your schools financial aid page to determine if your school participates. This website has more information on financial aid.

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A common assumption is that online education costs are less than their traditional brick-and-mortar counterparts. This is often true. However, the savvy student will want to make sure his or her distance education choice is actually the best deal. Its important to look around a bit and compare costs. Often one will find that schools will have different tuition amounts for in-state and out-of-state online students. Also, online courses will have per course fees that bump the online costs above the on-site costs for the same courses. Its always good to double check when it comes to cost.

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Even with its rapid growth, development and expansion as well as the new opportunities it creates for students to receive college instruction, many college and university professors remain wary and unconvinced about distance education.U.S. News & World Report notes that, according to a recent surveys, Only 30.2 percent of officials surveyed said their faculty members accept the value and legitimacy of online education. The same article makes the point that online education at the college level continues to grow, and A lack of faculty support is [an] obstacle schools must overcome. The take away from this is that the distance education student should make sure to be aware that not every professor in online education will believe in distance education as much as the student does. And, students should gravitate towards enthusiastic professors and institutions that give their full backing to their distance education programs.

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However, watch out for common pitfalls in making online college choices. To make your hard-earned online degree or training most attractive be sure to check into the following key areas and be sure to be able to explain your reasons for making the choice to study online. Employers really do look at these issues and questions about your own personal motivations do arise in the course of job interviews.

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Student support services are important!Some might think of the online learner as a kind of academic Lone Ranger. Dont make this mistake. Distance education has its own learning curve and requires students to acclimatize to the distance education environment. There will be technical and technological factors that will need to be in order as well as time scheduling and course participation techniques that will need to be quickly mastered if the online student is to thrive and be successful. When considering which college or program to enroll in, always be sure to inquire into that schools online support philosophy and level of commitment. High quality distance education will normally have a staff of trained specialists in online student support that can address any number of student questions from the best technologies and applications to how to more easily get in touch with instructors and classmates. Good online instructors will often have in their course materials a resource guide on how to be successful online students as well.

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This fact may not be all that surprising or earth-shaking to many readers. However, as weve already hinted at earlier, there are common misconceptions about online education. Online programs and courses are not one size fits all. Its important not only to find a good online school, its just as important to enroll in the right classes. Options abound in online education, so theres no reason to rush into programs and classes that dont fit your needs and aspirations. Give yourself time to do the needed research and explore your options, so that youll land in the best programs and coursesfor YOU! The following are some key areas to explore when considering distance learning. Normally admissions counselors should be able to address many of the following areas:

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New technologies, more students in college and growing demand for online instruction are coming together in a way that suggests that the future of higher education is digital and distance. What began as small, often for-profit, ventures in online learning now sees big name schools in the act. According to one recent study, the massive developments and movement towards a more digital educational experience has met with approval from college students. Experts predict that as the number of those studying in college continues to grow and diversify the student population, well see greater numbers enrolled in distance learning. There is a also potential darker side to online education as well. As demand increases and technology develops, companies will want to get a piece of the action by promoting their goods and services. This is part of the inevitable mix of money and education. However, the best schools and programs will not forget that their first priority is providing the best possible online education for their students.

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Distance education is delivered in a number of ways, and the virtual classroom experience can vary widely, depending upon institutional and program standards as well as each professors approach to online teaching and student interaction. In looking at various online options its helpful to have an idea of the basic ways in which distance education courses are most commonly delivered. Knowing the mode of a program or courses delivery will help you make an informed decision about the kind of commitments and responsibilities that will be required:

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Most distance learners will not have constant or easy access to standard resources available to traditional students through their institutions. Online students will need to invest a bit more in technology and hardware if they want to flourish in online education. Some of the most common items that will greatly assist distance learners, beyond a good computer, are:

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It may surprise you to learn that many places offer online courses thatanyone can take. This universal access to online courses and programs is called open learning or open and distance learning (ODL). The name means just what it says. Any interested person, regardless of prior education, background or financial status can participate in the benefits of the course offered. In addition to distance education options with academic prerequisites and tuition costs, open learning options are available. Often these courses can be used for credit in degree programs as well. Take the time to explore ODL courses in addition to the more standard distance education models. You may just find what youre looking for.

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25 Surprising Or Little Known Facts About Online Education