Data Reveals Growing Interest from Younger Students in Online Higher Education

2025 survey shows flexibility and affordability are key factors when considering online degrees for 18-24 year-olds

BURLINGTON, Vt., May 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Champlain College Online reported the results of its annual survey exploring perceptions of online higher education for adults ages 18-24, a pivotal demographic for higher education institutions. More than 2,000 U.S. adults currently attending or considering college were polled about their interest in and opinions of online education. The results show a growing interest in online education for younger students, with flexibility and affordability as key factors when considering online education.

Nearly 90% of respondents said they would consider an online program, up from 73% in a 2023 survey also conducted by Champlain College Online. Perceptions of online education are also strong, with 87% saying they believe an online degree can prepare them for a successful career and an equal amount believing employers are more accepting of an online degree today.

Respondents selected the factors they found most encouraging when considering online over on-campus options, emphasizing the perceived benefits of an online degree, including:

• 73% selected "flexibility in schedule," with 18% listing it as their top factor
• 65% identified online education as "more affordable," which was ranked #1 in importance
• 63% indicated the "ability to go at my own pace" as the third most crucial factor

"The unspoken truth in higher education is that our country is experiencing a seismic shift in what students want, and online colleges and universities have adapted to the realities of modern education by offering practical, accessible solutions to millions of learners," said Chris Montagnino, Executive Vice President of Champlain College Online. "We're committed to providing flexible, career-focused online programs that meet modern learners where they are—whether they're 19 or 49."

Champlain's own enrollment trends reflect this national shift. One in seven new students at Champlain College Online are between the ages of 18 and 24, currently the fastest-growing demographic segment. Some of the most popular programs among younger learners include Game Development and Marketing, where 50% and 44% of new students, respectively, fall within the 18–24 age range. Programs in Technology and Cybersecurity are also seeing strong interest from this age group, with roughly one in four new students aged 18–22. States like Vermont, Massachusetts, Texas, and California are among the top markets fueling this surge in younger online learners. This trend is consistent with findings reported by Inside Higher Ed, which noted that the number of high school juniors and seniors planning to attend fully online colleges more than doubled between fall 2019 and fall 2022 .

Comprehensive survey result data is available upon request. For more information about online degrees and education options, visit online.champlain.edu.

About Champlain College Online: Champlain College, a leader in online education for 30 years, provides a high-quality academic experience through acclaimed Bachelor's, Master's, associate and certificate programs in business, cybersecurity, healthcare, social science, marketing and technology. Champlain's 2,000+ online students can be found in all 50 states and around the globe. Champlain College is regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and ranked among the Best Online Bachelor's Programs by U.S. News & World Report. It ranked No. 1 both on OnlineU's list of Best Online Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degrees and OnlineU's list of Best Online Master's in Forensic Science and was recently awarded "Best MBA Program" by Vermont Business Magazine. online.champlain.edu 

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SOURCE Champlain College Online