The need for flexibility drives millions of people to learn online and remains a non-negotiable aspect of online programs. Most online students today are choosing their programs based on modality first, then factoring in elements like institutional preference. In fact, eight in 10 of the more than 4,000 fully online learners and recent graduates we surveyed for our 2026 Voice of the Online Learner report say they would choose not to enroll, or would look elsewhere, if their desired program was not available online.
Yet online students consistently, and perhaps surprisingly, choose to enroll in institutions in close proximity. Some 76% of online learners live and/or work in the same state as their institution – up from 73% in 2025. And around 60% of online learners live within 100 miles of their institution. Why are so many online students choosing local or in-state programs? Often, that decision comes down to the trust, support services, and optional in-person engagements available to them locally, which wouldn’t necessarily be available in a program based further afield.
Online learners’ decision to enroll online should not be mistaken for them prioritizing convenience over connection. While flexibility and affordability may be their driving motivators in programmatic choice, strong opportunities for in-person connection are often the differentiator. The need for meaningful educational connections is a growing priority among the online learners we surveyed. That is reflected in their attitudes towards synchronous learning. Some 68% of current and 78% of prospective online learners say they would like to log in at a specific time to join a required discussion or virtual lecture with their instructors and classmates. When asked why they wanted synchronous opportunities, the top reason was to access the online equivalent of office hours with faculty, followed by a desire to build connections with fellow students.
In-person connection is also a big plus for online students. The interest in having the option to visit campus, for example, has risen dramatically in just three years. Some 81% of learners in 2026 said they would like to visit campus at some point, compared to just 58% in 2024. While the most common reasons for in-person campus visits continues to be attending graduation, all forms of in-person visits have grown in popularity over the past two years:
As demonstrated by the students’ responses, the reasons for campus visits need to be purposeful and enhance the overall student experience. And, in keeping with online learners’ overall desire for flexibility, they feel that in-person connection opportunities should be optional, not required or routine. In fact, over half (53%) say they do not want to come to campus as part of their regular coursework. While that number has dropped since 2025 (when it stood at 66%), it’s too early to call it a trend.
For online learning program administrators and institutional decision-makers, the 2026 data is clear: prioritizing opportunities for flexible and purposeful connection among your online students can do wonders for your institution. Opportunities for connection can transform any online program from a “maybe” to a “must” for prospective students. And in 2026, that distinction matters greatly.
Learn more about the behaviors of online learners and how to build programs that meets their needs by reading the 2026 Voice of the Online Learner report.
