In a radical shift, Americans now see online education as better or the same as on-campus in almost all categories.
A recent GALLUP poll found that 33% of Americans believed that online education provided the best curriculum options and was a better value economically compared to traditional classroom education.
As seen in the graph below, the majority of Americans also believe that Online education is “better or the same” as on-campus education. The only exception is the view an employer would have of an online degree versus an on-campus degree.
However, the graph also shows, with a direct comparison of online and on-campus (ignoring a “same” rating), on-campus now wins out in every individual category save curriculum options and value vs. tuition.
Results of GALLUP poll shows that the majority of Americans believe Online is better or the same in all categories save employer view.
When asked a similar question in a different format, however, such as rating the quality of education from excellent to unknown, only 34% of American believe the quality of online learning rates between “excellent” and “good”; in comparison to 68% for Universities and 64% for community colleges.
These results seem counter-intuitive to some of our own research here at Engineering.com, however, which suggests a growth in both online education and the number of respectable institutions that are declaring the quality of education is the same.
The Poll also raises some interesting points, such as the pretty even split among adults for the question of what is more important: a respectable college degree or the knowledge to succeed.
These results, coupled with growing tuition fees, student debt and the depreciating job market, suggests to me there is a niche for online education and the ability to grow both in numbers and public regard.
Regardless of what the future may bring then, the data is clear that many Americans see online education as a powerful force for learning, with several even preferring it to the more traditional forms of education. A change that seems all the more impressive when one considers the stigmas online education has faced in the past.
