10 Surprising Benefits of Online Learning

 Find out more about the specific benefits that come with pursuing an online education.

Whether you want to learn a language, strengthen specific technical skills, or complete an academic degree, there have never been so many opportunities to learn online. In fact, more students are using online education in recent years. 44 percent of undergraduates and 52 percent of graduate students in the United States were enrolled exclusively in online courses in 2020.

Online learning is a popular alternative to face-to-face learning because it can remove major barriers to education, making it more equitable and accessible. In this article, we'll discuss the main benefits of making money online so you can decide if it's the best option for you.

10 benefits you gain from learning online 

Let’s go over some of the major benefits of online learning.  

1. You don’t have to relocate or commute.  

Thanks to online teaching, the class comes to you. No matter what type of credential you want to achieve—a degree, a professional certificate, a qualification—you can access some of the most reputable educational institutions or industry leaders online. What's more: you are not limited by borders. You can find programs across the country or even around the world without the expense of relocating to study elsewhere.

Many colleges and universities also require students to pay parking fees to access campus, which can be costly. However, with an online program, you won't have to worry about these additional costs or commuting costs.

2. You can decide your learning space. 

Whether you're learning synchronously or asynchronously online, you don't have to worry about obstacles getting in the way of the classroom. All you have to do is turn on your computer. This can be a more convenient option, especially if it means you don't have to carry books, a laptop, or other supplies. Instead, you'll have what you need right in front of you.

3. You can keep working while enrolled. 

Many students work part-time or full-time while attending college or completing other programs designed to enhance their education or skills. But the rigid scheduling of many personal programs can make it difficult to balance your professional and educational obligations.

With online learning, courses are often designed to be more flexible so you can fit them into your work schedule. That way, you don't have to put your professional life on hold while you get your education.

4. You can build upon skills you already have—or learn something entirely new.

You can change your entire career from the couch. With a variety of courses, certification programs, tutorials and more designed to teach you timely skills relevant to your career, you don't have to go far to make a big difference. Also, because of this kind of focus, you don't have to spend time learning something you don't need.

In addition to changing careers, you can enhance your existing skills by taking advantage of similar offerings designed to teach you specific workplace or technical skills to help you advance. And you're not limited to any particular school's course catalog—the online learning options are nearly endless.

5. You can learn from top universities or industry-leading companies. 

Many prestigious colleges and universities now offer online study options. An online degree from a major institution is usually just as valuable as one earned in person, and may even expose you to more rigorous coursework or skill development. On Coursera, you can find degrees from the University of London, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, Penn State and HEC Paris.

In addition to universities, many large companies now offer programs designed to help you learn a new aspect of your career – or strengthen your skills. Google, IBM, Meta, and Salesforce offer professional certifications on Coursera. These focused programs can be an excellent way to expand your industry knowledge or get started in a new field.

6. The schedule tends to be flexible and you can learn at your own pace.

Online learning structures vary, but are generally designed to be more flexible than in-person courses, meaning you can access your program in your own time and more often than not work at your own pace. Studying takes time, so being able to fit it into your schedule rather than adjusting your schedule around your learning can create the flexibility you need to create a learning plan that works for you.

7. You might save money compared to in-person learning. 

Beyond tuition and fees, there are a lot of costs associated with attending college or university—or a workshop, course, or certificate program—in person. With online learning, you tend to benefit from lower overall costs because there’s less overhead associated with operating each program. While the average cost for one tuition credit in the United States was relatively the same for online and in-state students at the same institution, according to the Education Data Initiative, that doesn’t take into account the additional fees typically associated with the full cost of in-person attendance, such as housing and transportation. 

8. You can choose between self-paced and accelerated options.

With the pace you can often set with online learning and the growing number of accelerated degree programs, it may be possible to complete your online education faster because you can move through courses more quickly, as opposed to waiting for a new lesson every week. .

9. You can engage with a global peer network. 

Diversity brings better perspectives and insights. With the global availability of online learning, you can find yourself alongside students from all over the world, which in turn can encourage wider and more diverse views and learning. Additionally, depending on your program, you may have the opportunity to engage with your classmates as you wish. Use the resources available in your program to connect with other students or maybe even start a virtual club to help you stay in touch or keep each other on track.

10. You may strengthen important transferable skills.

When you study online, you can not only strengthen your subject knowledge, but you can also hone transferable skills such as communication, critical thinking, adaptability and more. In particular, learning online often requires more time management and self-discipline because you are responsible for logging in to complete the lesson instead of following a personal class schedule that dictates where and when you need to be. When you learn online, you also improve your ability to work independently or unsupervised, a skill valued by employers.