Online Degrees: Are They the New Normal?
Posted: October 16, 2025 | Author: Nick Marinoff | Read Time: 4 minutes
Is going to college online becoming the norm? A study from Educause says many students still prefer a traditional classroom experience for learning. However, several changes have paved the way for students looking to complete their education digitally.
In 2022, more than 10 million students in the US were taking college courses through the web. The number of students earning online degrees also surpassed 1.1 million. This figure is only slated to expand, but what's causing these deviations? Why are universities or programs accessible through a computer now more inviting than ever?
Major Causes in the Rise of Online Degree Attendance:
FINANCES
Having a second or even third job is quite common today. Close to nine million Americans are working multiple jobs in 2025. Rising costs and the wide array of expenses that come with living in the modern world make earning a paycheck more important than attending school. Students now need an education system that revolves around them. They need university programs or schedules that can work around their busy lives and allow them to complete courses and earn degrees at their own pace.
For many, this cuts the traditional learning option out completely. Attending classes or seminars at specific times (times that may interfere with a job's hours) is no longer doable. An online degree that allows students to finish schoolwork on their terms is becoming an attractive solution.
Tuition costs associated with traditional schooling have also risen more than 180% in the past 20 years. It's never been more expensive to complete one's education. Online degrees can ease growing costs by charging standard, in-state tuition rates for registered students.
FAMILIES & BUSY SCHEDULES
Family duties can also interfere with the pursuit of education. A growing number of adults now opt to attend college later or even study while simultaneously raising a family. For example, the number of women in their early to late 30's earning BA degrees in 2017 and 2018 while also caring for their children from non-marriage relationships increased by almost 21% since 1996. This figure increased by more than 32% for women pursuing AAs.
It can be challenging to balance a home-study existence, especially with in-person classes. Online education allows students to complete assignments at their own leisure, and families still receive the attention they deserve. In an era where more than half (approximately 55%) of students claim work and family commitments prevent them from physically attending school, online coursework that is flexible to unique schedules might be the way to go.
FEWER EXPENSES
There are also several other expenses that come with the traditional university experience. Most people are already paying for housing and food, costs that are often inflated with an on-campus education. If you commute to campus, the extra costs of fuel, parking, and time can add up as the semesters roll by. Students may feel pressure to put the brakes on any unnecessary or heavy spending. With an online degree, room and board, and travel costs are eliminated. Printed books may still be required for some courses, but many are now available at lower costs or even for free through independent sites and similar web sources.
As the digital age grows, online schooling presents more opportunities for would-be students to improve their technological prowess. By learning the applications and methods that come with their specific university's educational software, they'll endure less difficulty and confusion when presented with new technologies in work-based settings. Thanks to the schools' digital environments, students will be better inclined to perform and engage in the job market of the future.
This isn't to say that online education is for everyone. Those seeking a social atmosphere may find themselves feeling lonely or misplaced in an online setting. For anyone looking to complete their degrees on their own time and save money, online universities allow them to earn their education without putting other aspects of their lives on hold.
SUU Online Is Here to Help!
If you're interested in seeing where an online degree can take you, consider SUU Online! As one of the most affordable schools in the nation, Southern Utah University has always operated on the idea of giving students more while charging less, making a high-quality, online education available without breaking the bank. Check out SUU's list of graduate and undergraduate degrees, or visit SUU Online for more information.Tags: CurStu Prospective Students Academic SUU Online
