When it comes to online learning, large universities are getting shown up by 2-year colleges. The latest report from the Sloan Consortium shows that enrollments in 2-year colleges grew the fastest during the past year. Wired Campus explains:

"Two-year associate-degree institutions not only had the highest annual growth rate at 24 percent, but they also accounted for half of the online enrollments for the past five years, the report says. Baccalaureate-awarding institutions, on the other hand, had the lowest online enrollments and the smallest annual growth rate, at 6.9 percent."

Why are two-year online programs growing so quickly? I have two theories. First, online learners are often juggling responsibilities at home and work. Two-year programs give them an education fast. Second, two-year programs usually contain more general education requirements. It's easier for colleges to create a few streamlined general education classes than to create many classes tailored to meet the requirements of bachelor degree majors.