Due to constant increases in technology, online education has become very popular in the recent years. While this is true, traditional education is still a common practice and well-attended. When a student researches education opportunities, they have to determine whether online education vs. traditional education is the right option.

Both online and traditional education are great opportunities for anyone looking to acquire a degree and pursue the degree of their dreams. But how exactly do they compare? Below we highlight the differences so that you can make an educated decision.

What is Online Education?

Online education is a program that allows students to enroll in a degree online and obtain it without stepping foot on a physical campus. Students use video conferencing, chat, email, and discussion forums to discuss topics and learn the curriculum. Many programs also offer interactive courses so that each type of learner is accommodated.

Online education typically mirrors its traditional education counterpart as far as curriculum goes. This means that the same on-campus courses are offered online and adjusted to be provided through a digital format. The quality is the same, and the professor is often the same in many cases.

What is Traditional Education?

Traditional education is considered to be an on-campus learning environment. This type of education has been around for hundreds of years and requires a student to enroll in a program and either live on-campus or commute to the campus to participate in the program.

These courses are often done through labs, lectures, and presentations. Some courses have hands-on components, while others do not. Professors are available on sight, and group projects are often conducted in person. There are hundreds of degree types available in traditional education formats. 

What the Stats Say

According to many statistics, online education has increased by 11% over the years. Almost half of the student population is currently enrolled in at least one online course or has an online course component incorporated into their degree pathway.

This is substantial as it shows a trend in the increase of online education throughout time. Statistics also show that many people who enroll in full-time online education opportunities are professionals looking to either further their careers or change their current careers. This demonstrates the flexibility, ease, and affordability online education provides compared to traditional education.

Graduation Outcomes

When looking at online education vs. traditional education and their graduation outcomes, the statistics are slightly less clear. Graduation outcomes typically correlate directly to a school and its overall graduation rate. 

Some schools have high graduation rates for traditional and online education, while others have the reverse or opposite results. 

It has been noted in recent years that online education graduation rates have risen. While in previous years, they seemed to be slightly less in comparison to traditional education, current data shows that online education graduation rates are trending upward and often beating out that of their traditional education counterparts.

Choose the Right Fit

When making a decision, it is important to go with the right fit for you. Some students do better rin an environment on campus, while others work well independently online. Each option will open the doors to new opportunities for careers and networking that will behoove you in the future.