Voice of the Online Learner surveys prospective, enrolled, and graduated students of online programs to better understand their needs, motivators, and challenges.
Now in its 15th year, this year’s findings show that modern learners are increasingly self-directed, digitally fluent, and career-anchored, expecting institutions to deliver flexibility, relevance, and guidance in a world being actively reshaped by AI. At the same time, what they value is consistent — affordability, flexibility, career-connectedness, and the trust that accompanies local institutions.
Highlights:
- Program discovery: Learners are increasingly using AI and digital tools to research programs, with use of AI tools specifically rising from 6% to 17% year over year. At the same time, 75% prefer self-service research.
- AI readiness: Expectations for AI guidance are rising, with 71% saying it is important for future workplace success, up from 59% in 2024. Institutions are making progress in integrating AI technologies and associated guidance in the learning experience but have not kept pace with learner expectations.
- Lifelong learning: Interest in continued education is growing, with 61% planning to pursue another degree (up from 48% last year) and 56% considering online non-degree options (also up from 48% last year).
- Power of local: 60% live within 100 miles of their institution, and interest in the option to visit campus has increased by more than 20 percentage points since 2024.
