The researchers confirmed many long-developing trends and uncovered new emerging trends that are likely to accelerate coming out of the recent pandemic. Students are still motivated by career outcomes and their biggest challenge continues to be figuring out how to pay for college. Compared to students from five or more years ago, the online college students of today are younger, more likely to be working full time, and devote more time to their education. Further, these students almost universally recognize the benefits and value of online learning, and most intend to enroll in online programs in the future.
