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The Expanding Landscape of Online Education: Who Engages and How They Fare

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  • Lisa Barrow
  • Wesley T. Morris
  • Lauren Sartain

Abstract

Online university courses have become common, though some question whether the modality can adequately substitute for an in-person experience. We explore online course enrollment and student outcomes at a large public 4-year system. Online enrollment nearly doubled from 2012 to 2019. Female students and older students were especially likely to take online classes. Students earned more As and Fs in online courses, but semester grade point averages were higher in terms when students took at least one class online. Importantly, taking higher shares of courses online was associated with increased degree completion, with the largest benefits for younger students and male students.

Suggested Citation

  • Lisa Barrow & Wesley T. Morris & Lauren Sartain, 2024. "The Expanding Landscape of Online Education: Who Engages and How They Fare," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 42(S1), pages 417-443.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/728807
    DOI: 10.1086/728807
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions

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