High-tech education redefines 'college life,' 'campus'

Online degrees are becoming more popular with propective students, and increasingly accepted by employers at all levels.

High-tech education redefines 'college life,' 'campus': "Residential universities historically dismissed online education, but as society becomes more high tech, the option of pursuing an education outside a traditional university has been gaining popularity.

Online education is a $10 billion-a-year industry, up from $2.5 billion in 2004, according to the Postsecondary Education Factbook published by Stifel Nicolaus that includes information from Eduventures.

Enrollment for online courses is projected to reach about 1.7 million U.S. students this year, more than three times those enrolled in 2002. The number of online students represents nearly 10 percent of total students enrolled in postsecondary education nationwide, according to the Factbook released in the fall 2006.
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The industry leader The University of Phoenix online degree program became the nation's first university to offer an online education in 1989.

As the number of people pursuing degrees continues to grow, university officials expect to see new online degree-granting facilities open.

'Online education is an effective way to provide additional academic support,' said Bill Pepicello, president of the University of Phoenix. 'Some of the large land-grant universities will retool themselves to get in the online arena.'

The University of Phoenix has been successful because it has taken access to education to levels that a traditional experience."

While traditional residential programs are still a viable opportunity for younger students, many adults find that online degrees are the best way to increase their education, while still meeting career and family responsibilities.