Barriers To Online Postsecondary Education Crumble: Enrollment In Traditional Face-To-Face Courses Declines As Enrollment In Online Courses Increases

Abstract

Contrary to expectations, total postsecondary enrollment in the United States (US) declined in Fall 2011.  In fact, it continues to decline while online enrollment continues to increase. Students can more easily cross geographic boundaries as online access causes barriers to postsecondary education to crumble, and more than 50% of the demand for online learning is currently met by non–US providers. Therefore, a major opportunity exists for US educational institutions to grow enrollment by effectively meeting demand for online postsecondary learners globally.