This narrow learning model discourages students who have personal commitments like a job or familial responsibilities from accessing on-campus learning. This is especially true for older students — only 11.4 percent of 25- to 34-year-olds and 2.3 percent of adults aged 35 or older are enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Strict in-person learning programs also disadvantage students who experience unexpected life events and students from rural populations that don’t have convenient access to a college campus. For example, let’s say a student needs to move back home for a semester to take care of a sick family member. Without flexible online or hybrid education options, they’re often forced to put their education on hold and wait until the next class cycle to continue their courses.
