"Universities define their competitors by institutional classification. Modern learners define their options by cost, time to degree, accessibility and career outcomes. The modern online learner is not choosing between an R-1 and a regional university."
"Many institutions fear that expanding online programs will cannibalize existing enrollment. In reality, online programs often reach entirely different students: working adults, place-bound learners, career changers and students who would otherwise not enroll at all."
Ohio's higher education system is experiencing a migration issue rather than an enrollment problem, as evidenced by over 61,000 residents enrolling in online programs from out-of-state institutions in 2024. Traditional universities often misidentify their competitors based on institutional classification, while modern learners prioritize cost, accessibility, and career outcomes. Barriers to innovation in higher education are primarily internal, including rigid structures and policies. Expanding online programs can attract different student demographics, such as working adults and career changers, rather than cannibalizing existing enrollment.
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
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