Distance learning

Question:
How many students take distance learning courses at the postsecondary level?

Response:

In fall 2019, there were 7,313,623 students enrolled in any distance education courses at degree-granting postsecondary institutions.

Number and percentage of students enrolled in degree-granting postsecondary institutions, by distance education participation, and level of enrollment and control of institution: Fall 2019
Level of enrollment and control of institution	Number of students					Percent of students
	Total	No distance education courses	Any distance education course(s)			Total	No distance education courses	Any distance education course(s)
			Total, any distance education course(s)	At least one, but not all, of student's courses are distance education courses	Exclusively distance education courses			Total, any distance education course(s)	At least one, but not all, of student's courses are distance education courses	Exclusively distance education courses
Total	19,637,499	12,323,876	7,313,623	3,863,498	3,450,125	100.0	62.8	37.2	19.7	17.6
Level of enrollment
Undergraduate	16,565,066	10,552,130	6,012,936	3,563,377	2,449,559	100.0	63.7	36.3	21.5	14.8
Postbaccalaureate	3,072,433	1,771,746	1,300,687	300,121	1,000,566	100.0	57.7	42.3	9.8	32.6
Control of institution
Public	14,501,057	9,254,592	5,246,465	3,314,230	1,932,235	100.0	63.8	36.2	22.9	13.3
Private nonprofit	4,145,263	2,804,726	1,340,537	444,872	895,665	100.0	67.7	32.3	10.7	21.6
Private for-profit	991,179	264,558	726,621	104,396	622,225	100.0	26.7	73.3	10.5	62.8

NOTE: Data in this table represent the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Degree-granting institutions grant associate's or higher degrees and participate in Title IV federal financial aid programs.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (forthcoming). Digest of Education Statistics 2020, Table 311.15.

Related Tables and Figures:  (Listed by Release Date)

• 2021, Digest of Education Statistics 2019, Table 311.22. Number and percentage of undergraduate students enrolled in distance education or online classes and degree programs, by selected characteristics: Selected years, 2003–04 through 2015–16
  
• 2021, Digest of Education Statistics 2019, Table 311.33. Selected statistics for degree-granting postsecondary institutions that primarily offer online programs, by control of institution and selected characteristics: Fall 2018 and 2017–18
  
• 2020, The Condition of Education 2020: Postbaccalaureate Enrollment
  
• 2020, The Condition of Education 2020: Undergraduate Enrollment
  
• 2019, Profile of Undergraduate Students: 2015–16 (Web Tables)
  

Other Resources:  (Listed by Release Date)

• 2021, A What Works Clearinghouse Rapid Evidence Review of Distance Learning Programs
  
• 2021, IPEDS Trend Generator: Percent of students enrolled in distance education courses, by state and distance education status of student: 2019
  
• 2021, NCES Blog: Distance Education in College: What Do We Know From IPEDS?
  
• 2021, The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS): IPEDS is a system of surveys designed to collect data from all primary providers of postsecondary education.