Nearly 90% of online college graduates say their degree will have a positive return on investment, according to BestColleges’ 11th annual Online Education Trends Report.
The findings mirror what many students at the Universities of Wisconsin have experienced through UW Online Collaboratives and UW Flexible Option programs—which are 100% online and offer students real-world skills that they can apply immediately on the job.
The report also found that 79% of graduates felt their online program prepared them well for their first job after graduation. Across all respondents—including current and prospective students—98% said they would recommend online education to others, and 76% said online learning is better than or equal to on-campus education.
Why Does Online Education Work For Busy Students?
Online education offers students greater flexibility to complete coursework because in most cases, they can study when it fits their schedule. In the survey, students were asked the primary reason they enrolled in (or are considering enrolling in) an online education program. This question was changed slightly from previous years in which a “more flexibility with my own time and schedule” was added as a response option.
“In all previous years of this survey, existing work and family commitments were the biggest motivators of online enrollment selected by roughly one-third of respondents annually,” the report states. “This year, that response moved to third (16%), following the new option related to increased flexibility (34%) and a second new response option related to affordability (17%).”
Source: BestColleges
Student Perspectives on the Benefits of an Online Degree
Many current students and alumni of online degree and certificate programs offered by UW Online Collaboratives and UW Flexible Option agree.
Abigail Sincoular, who completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing through UW Flexible Option, was working the night shift as a registered nurse when she began the program.
“I was worried about juggling that and then trying to attend a class or even just logging on for a certain class time,” she says. “I personally don’t think I’d be able to do a program that had set class times, just because there’s so much going on. And work is so variable.”
Luckily, the flexibility of online learning gave her an opportunity to study and work when it was best for her.
“I worked from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. And then I would come home and sleep for a while during the day. So, I would typically work on schoolwork on my days off, really just whatever fits with my schedule, honestly, because as long as I had my assessments in and coursework in and it was graded, I was good to go. Theoretically, you can kind of map out your study time and time to work on stuff however it works best for you.”
Tyler Wester, a student in the Master of Science: Cybersecurity program through UW Online Collaboratives, chose to get his degree online because he felt there was no way he could complete the work in a traditional campus setting. Tyler, who works full-time as a software engineer for Miller Electric, also has three small kids.
“Studying and doing classes and working and raising children has been a challenge and I’ve had to hone my ability to prioritize and manage my time,” he says. “The huge benefit of the program is that the courses are 100 percent online, so it gives me the ability to still have my professional career, come home and spend time with the family and then usually at night when the kids go to bed is my time to study and do homework. My kids go to bed at 9 p.m., so I know 9 p.m. to midnight is my time to study and then I’m back to work. The flexibility of doing your coursework anytime is huge for me because I wouldn’t have been able to do it otherwise. I wouldn’t be able to attend in-person classes.”
Tyler has applied what he’s learned in class directly to his job, giving him immediate ROI.
“Much of what I’ve learned in class translated to my work because we’re doing many of the same things, whether it be cryptography or security planning,” he says.
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you’re interested in business, healthcare, sustainability, technology, or another growing field, the Universities of Wisconsin offer online programs designed for working adults who need flexibility.
Connect with an enrollment adviser today at 608-800-6762 or learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu to explore your options.