A recent report by Primary Research Group shows that traditional colleges are making a substantial amount of money by offering online courses - and that many colleges view online programs as a way to generate extra income.
That's good news because it means more quality traditional schools will be entering the online learning market. It's bad news because it may indicate colleges are putting less money into their online courses (by spending less, they'll generate more). It's important that colleges give online offerings the same importance as traditional courses.
Here are a few of the distance learning report's more interesting findings:
* Most colleges in the sample-more than two-thirds-view their distance learning program as a financial resource that is expected to produce a surplus for the college, while for 28.57% of the colleges in the sample it was merely expected to pay for itself, and one college viewed it as an educational luxury, subsidized by the college.* More than 57% of the students in the sample live within 75 miles of the college that offers them the distance learning courses.
* Less than 10% of the programs in the sample require all students to pay full "sticker price" tuition without tuition reductions, rebates or grants.
* Nearly 23% of the programs in the sample provide tailor-made distance leaning courses to some arm of the U.S. armed forces.
* Only 6.9% of the programs in the sample plan to change their course management/authoring/maintenance program within the next two years.
* Private colleges use adjunct faculty for 64.5% of the courses that they offer, with a low of 20% to a high of 100%.
* Nearly 70% of the colleges in the sample offer payments routinely to instructors who develop distance leaning courses, and more than 17% occasionally offer such payments.
Top Online Colleges
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Kaplan University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Kaplan University is a dynamic institution that offers accredited, online degrees to students seeking to jump start a new career. Kaplan University makes it easy for students to get the college degree that they want.
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Ashford University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Ashford University has a rich tradition of online educational excellence. This excellence is shown in the quality of each class that every student receives.
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University of Phoenix - Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, & Doctoral Degrees. University of Phoenix shows each student how easy and convenient it is to earn your college degree through their distance learning program. Students can choose to learn at home or from a campus location near you.
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Liberty University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. At Liberty University, students educational goals and needs are met by an outstanding faculty and support staff. Any adult learner looking to go back to school will be pleased with the course offerings available at Liberty University.
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American InterContinental University Online - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. At American InterContinental University, every individual has an opporunity to receive an excellent college degree and the ability to maximize their human potential. American InterContinental University allows you to pick a time and place that fits your schedule.
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DeVry University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Students who attend DeVry University are welcomed with an outstanding faculty who put each students needs and dreams first. DeVry University is an accredited university that offers affordable degrees.
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Everest University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Everest University is committed to the on-going commitment of providing each student with a high-quality, low-cost online education. Everest University has a well rounded faculty with real world experience.
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Westwood College - Associate's & Bachelor's Degrees. Westwood College uses a student-centric approach to its educational curriculum and each student benefits from this ideal. Westwood College is an accredited university with degrees in high-growth industries.
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