As colleges and universities navigate an era of enrollment declines and financial uncertainty, many are betting big on online education as their path to long-term growth and sustainability. Yet, as nearly 70% of online learning leaders report that their institution is prioritizing the development of online courses for on-campus programs, the path forward is far from simple. The rapid transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed numerous challenges, from ensuring quality instruction to maintaining student engagement. And while more institutions are turning to online programs to expand access, outcomes remain mixed — fewer than half of students at major nonprofit online institutions graduate within eight years, according to a recent Inside Higher Ed analysis.
