Online Schools College May 2026

Online college and university programs have shifted from a "lesser of two evils" during the pandemic to a dominant and highly debated fixture of higher education.

There is a growing tug-of-war between flexibility and the desire for social connection: online schools college

A 2025 NPR report found that 83% of online programs cost as much as or more than in-person versions. At public universities, the average cost for an online four-year degree can be slightly higher ($41,000) than the in-person equivalent ($39,000). Online college and university programs have shifted from

Some institutions, like Drexel University , offer specific incentives such as a 25% discount for online education students, but this is not the universal norm. 2. The "Stop-Out" Connection 000) than the in-person equivalent ($39