Independence University, a private college specializing in distance learning with programs in healthcare and business, has released an information-rich infographic highlighting the recent boom in online education.

Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) October 15, 2012

According to the Sloan Survey of Online Learning, 5.6 million American students were enrolled in some type of online class in 2009. That number was a one million student increase over the previous year. Its also the largest increase ever in the eight-year history of the survey. The number of students turning to distance learning has continued to increase steadily since 2009.

The data also indicates that our nations recent recession has had a direct impact on the demand for online classes. According to the Sloan survey, as the economy recovers from the recession, more than half of all new jobs created are going to workers who hold at least a bachelors degree. That only makes up one-third of the pool, however; leaving two-thirds of unemployed Americans to compete for fewer than half of all new jobs.

Students who choose distance learning are incredibly diverse. They range in age from recent high school graduates to retirees, and they seek degrees ranging from associate to graduate-level programs. According the Department of Education, students who took online classes performed better, on average, than those taking the same course through traditional face-to-face instruction.

The full infographic can be found on the Independence University blog.

About Independence University

Founded in 1978 as California College for Health Sciences, Independence University has dedicated itself for more than 30 years to providing distance education to working adults. Throughout its history, IU has reached beyond the barriers of traditional on-campus education to offer programs not only to working adults across the United States but also to those serving in the military and to international students living in the U.S. In 2010, Independence University merged with its affiliated institution, Stevens-Henager College, becoming a branch of Stevens-Henager's main campus in Ogden/West Haven, Utah. The main campus is located at 1890 South 1350 West, West Haven, UT 84401.

For more information on courses offered at Independence University, please visit independence.edu or call 1-800-972-5149.

Nathan Schwebach Independence University 801.939.9317 Email Information

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Independence University Releases Infographic on Online Education