Best E-learning Statistics & Infographics for 2024 – Facts & Trends
E-learning is the future of education. It offers many advantages over traditional learning, including convenience, affordability, and flexibility. E-learning allows students to learn at their own pace and in their own style. This makes it an ideal choice for students of all ages and backgrounds.
E-learning statistics are important to know because they provide a snapshot of the current state of e-learning. They can help us understand which technologies people are using, how much money is being spent on e-learning, and more. By understanding online learning statistics, we can better plan for the future of e-learning and make decisions about where to allocate our resources.
E-learning is growing quickly and will continue to do so in the future. This is great news for people who are looking to improve their skills and knowledge through online courses.
One reason for the growth of the e-learning market is that it is becoming increasingly affordable. In addition, e-learning offers a number of advantages over traditional learning methods, such as greater flexibility and convenience. The proliferation of mobile devices has made it easier for people to access e-learning content anywhere and at any time.
There are many great e-learning platforms available, and the best ones keep getting better and better. So if you’re looking to up your game in the near future, be sure to check some of the top e-learning platforms out there. They are great for selling online classes.
What is E-learning?
E-learning is a type of learning that takes place through electronic devices, such as computers and mobile phones. It allows learners to access information and educational materials at any time and from anywhere. E-learning is also a cost-effective way to learn, as it eliminates the need for traveling and accommodation costs.
E-learning can be used for a wide variety of purposes, such as providing educational courses, delivering training and development programs, and carrying out research. It can also be used for more personalized learning experiences, such as self-paced learning or distance learning for school students.
There are many advantages to e-learning, such as flexibility, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. However, there are also some disadvantages, such as the need for reliable internet access and the potential for distractions.
KEY eLearning Statistics & FACTS 2024
- The worldwide e-learning market is expected to hit $400 billion in revenues by 2026
- The worldwide E-learning market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 14.22 percent from 2022 through 2027
- E-learning has seen 900% growth since the year 2000
- By the year 2027, mobile learning will have reached $80 billion globally
- The self-paced eLearning market is expected to shrink to $33 billion by 2021
- 41.7% of the Fortune 500 companies use eLearning
- E-learning has resulted in a 42% income increase for US organizations
- Allowing employees to learn at their own pace improves productivity by 15%-25%
General Elearning Statistics
1. The worldwide e-learning market is expected to hit $400 billion in revenues by 2026.
According to Statista, the global e-learning market will reach $400 billion USD by 2026. The rise in technological advancements and the flexibility that e-learning offers are reasons for this hyper-growth.
Source: Statista
2. The worldwide E-learning market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 14.22 percent from 2022 through 2027.
The global E-learning market is expected to grow by 14.22% every year from 2022 to 2027, according to ReportLinker. The E-learning market is driven by the increasing penetration of the internet and mobile devices.
Source: ReportLinker
3. The global e-learning market is projected to be worth more than 243 billion U.S. dollars by 2022.
According to Statista, by 2022, the e-learning market is expected to reach 243 billion U.S. dollars worldwide, as shown in recent projections. In 2016, the self-paced e-learning product market was 46.67 billion U.S., but it’s projected to go down to 33.5 billion by 2021. A large majority of faculty globally have demonstrated a willingness to get behind less traditional and digital education models–such as open educational resources (OERs) or competency-based education systems—with 65% and 63%, respectively, expressing support for these approaches.
Source: Statista
4. E-learning has seen 900% growth since the year 2000.
E-learning has increased by 900 percent since the year 2000, according to KPMG. This rapid growth is being driven by advancements in technology, particularly mobile learning and gamification, which are making it easier and more enjoyable for people to learn online.
Source: KPMG
5. eLearning Courses Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
eLearning Industry writes that eLearning Courses Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Fewer people have to commute to attend an eLearning course, which reduces emissions from cars and other vehicles. Elearning courses often require less energy to run than traditional classroom-based courses.
Source: eLearning Industry
6. Digital learning is a timelier method of studying content-it takes up to 60% less time than traditional methods.
PapersOwl reports that studying content through digital learning takes up to 60% less time than traditional classroom learning. Digital learning is more engaging and interactive, providing students with a richer educational experience.
Source: PapersOwl
7. By the year 2027, mobile learning will have reached $80 billion globally.
According to ReportLinker’s data, mobile learning will be worth more than $80 billion worldwide by 2027. The combination of increasing smartphone ownership and advancements in mobile technology means that more and more people are able to access learning materials and courses on the go.
Source: ReportLinker
8. The self-paced eLearning market is expected to shrink to $33 billion by 2021.
According to Statista’s study, the Self-Paced eLearning Market Is Forecasted to Decline to $33 billion in 2021. This is due to the decreasing number of people who are willing to pay for self-paced eLearning courses.
Source: Statista
E-learning Statistics for Business
9. 41.7% of Fortune 500 companies use eLearning.
Statistics found from Edgepoint revealed that 41.7% of the Fortune 500 companies use eLearning. There are many reasons why businesses choose to invest in eLearning. E-learning can be more cost-effective than traditional classroom training, it allows employees to learn at their own pace.
This statistic seems to be based on the study called IBIS Capital e-Learning Lessons for the Future, to which I couldn’t find an original link.
Source: Edgepoint
10. In 2017, around 77% of US businesses used e-learning, but by 2020, 98% intended to implement it into their training.
Online learning was used by approximately 77% of US corporations in 2017, but that number is expected to rise to 98% by 2020 according to Techjury. This is likely because e-learning has been shown to have a number of advantages over traditional, in-person training. For example, e-learning can be:
- More cost-effective than traditional training methods
- More convenient for employees
- More flexible and customizable
- Easier to update and revise
Source: Techjury (secondary source)
11. E-learning has resulted in a 42% income increase for US organizations.
According to Techjury, e-learning has increased income for 42% of US organizations. Companies have found that employees who participate in e-learning courses make more per year than employees who do not receive the same training.
Source: Techjury (secondary source)
12. Allowing Employees to Learn at Their Own Pace Productivity by 15%-25%.
Research by American Heart Association shows that allowing employees to learn at their own pace can increase productivity by 15%-25%. In a traditional classroom setting, the pace of learning is dictated by the instructor. This can be frustrating for some students who learn more quickly or slowly than the average student. E-learning allows each employee to learn at their own pace, which has been shown to increase productivity by 15-25%.
Source: American Heart Association
13. The effects of corporate e-learning show that anywhere from 25-60% more information is retained.
According to Skill Scouter, corporate e-learning claims a knowledge retention boost of 25-60%. It’s been reported that eLearning can reduce training costs by 50% or more.
Source: Skill Scouter (secondary source)
14. E-learning in the corporate sector is predicted to grow by $38.09 billion between 2020 and 2024.
Earthweb reports that the corporate e-learning industry is expected to grow by $38.09 billion between 2020 and 2024. This provides companies with a great opportunity to train their employees more efficiently, without taking them away from work for traditional training methods.
Source: Earthweb (secondary source)
15. Companies with extensive training programs have more than triple the revenue per team member and 24 percent better profit margins.
According to Earthweb, companies who thoroughly train their employees see a 218% higher return and 24% better profit margins. Companies with comprehensive training programs have seen these benefits firsthand.
Source: Earthweb (secondary source)
16. Compared to conventional education, corporate e-learning requires 40% to 60% less time to complete.
According to Techjury, corporate e-learning takes 40% to 60% less time to complete than conventional education. This is a significant finding, as it suggests that e-learning can be an effective and efficient way to train employees.
Source: Techjury
E-learning in Academia Statistics
17. 40% of college students claim that e-learning is useful.
Statista’s reports show that 40% of college students find eLearning helpful. This suggests that a sizable minority of college students see eLearning as useful. This is likely because e-learning can be more flexible and cheaper than traditional education.
Source: Statista
18. 43% of U.S. College Students Find Digital Learning Helpful for Doing Homework.
According to Statista, nearly half of all U.S. college students find digital learning tools helpful for completing their homework assignments. This is a significant increase from previous years. The study also found that many college students believe that online courses are just as good as traditional classes.
Source: Statista
19. Distance education learning was 97 percent higher in 2020 than prior to the pandemic in fall 2019.
Based on the research by NCES, the number of undergraduate students enrolled in at least one distance education course increased by 97 percent between 2020 and now (11.8 million vs. 6.0 million). The report also states that in 2020, there were 7.0 million undergraduate students enrolled in only distance education courses, which is 186 percent more than in 2019 (2.4 million vs. 7.0 million).
Source: NCES
20. 71% of students enrolled in at least one distance education course.
According to NCES, some 2.2 million postbaccalaureate students (or 71 percent) enrolled in at least one distance education course in fall 2020. The increase in distance education enrollment is likely due to a combination of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: NCES
21. Statistics show that only 72% of people who enroll in an online course actually finish it.
According to Bloggersideas, 72% of individuals who begin an online course complete it, according to statistics. Online courses can be extremely dry and boring, making it easy for students to lose interest and give up. Without set deadlines and a clear structure, it can be easy for students to procreate.
Source (secondary): Bloggersideas
22. Online education often comes cheaper than a traditional degree.
According to Potomac, on average, an online education costs nearly 60% less than a traditional degree. Traditional degrees: $85,000 on average. Online degrees: $30,000 on average. An online degree is a great option for students who want to save money on their education.
Source: Potomac
23. Nearly 70% of students feel that learning online is just as good, if not better, than classic methods.
Potomac also reports that over 70% of all students believe that internet teaching is as effective as or more so than traditional classroom instruction. This is likely because online learning can be more convenient and flexible than traditional methods, allowing students to complete their coursework at times that fit their schedules.
Source: Potomac
24. Only 26% of online students believe they learn better in a classroom than on the internet.
Another statistic by Potoma tells that a mere 26% of those who take courses online feel they learn more efficiently in an internet-based setting than in a traditional classroom. Online students learn at their own pace which can make it difficult to stay up with the course.
Source: Potomac
25. A laptop is used by 56% of students in class throughout the week.
According to a study by Statista, approximately 56% of American college students use laptops in their classrooms during an average week. Laptops can be beneficial for taking notes, doing research, and writing papers. However, they can also be a distraction if not used properly. Some college professors have banned laptops in their classrooms, while others have embraced them.
Source: Statista
Online Course Statistics
26. The online course market size is predicted to reach $167.5 billion by 2026.
According to Statista, the online course market size was $101 billion in 2019 and is predicted to reach $167.5 billion by 2026. The industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% during the forecast period. The online course market is driven by factors such as the growing popularity of online education, the increasing number of internet users, and the rising cost of traditional education.
Source: Statista
27. Personal development, business and marketing, and health and wellness are the most popular online course categories.
The most popular course categories at Teachable include personal development, business and marketing, and health and wellness. These categories offer a wide range of courses that can help students improve their personal and professional lives.
Source: Teachable
28. Almost $456.7 million is made every year by people who produce online courses on Teachable.
Teachable reveals that the creators of online courses on Teachable earn nearly $456.7 million every year, helping people learn new skills and knowledge. This number is expected to continue to grow as the demand for online courses continues to increase.
Source: Teachable
29. The average price of an online course is $120.
Teachable’s creators’ data reports that the average price of an online course is $120. The same study shows that the average price for a coaching product is $167.
Source: Teachable
30. You can make over $250,000 by selling online courses (real case study).
According to Thinkific, Dorie Clark Earned $269,761 from his Online Courses in 18 Months. Not bad, right? And it’s not just Dorie. There are many other course creators making a killing by selling online courses.
Source: Thinkific
31. Multiple online course creators earn more than $20k per month.
Thinkific also shares real-life examples of online course creators that are making more than $20,000 per month. If you want to make serious money from your online courses, they share some tips from their successful course creators.
Source: Thinkific
32. The online course sees a refund rate of 10-16%.
According to a well-known online course creator, Jonathan Levi, their refund rate is around 10–16 percent, depending on the month. Most people return because they feel the course is too pricey or that they don’t have enough time to go through it.
Source: Quora
33. Online course platforms are attracting staggering amounts of venture capital.
According to Crunchbase, Kajabi, one of the biggest online course platforms has raised $550 million in venture capital. That just tells how big of a market this individual online course creation has become.
Source: Crunchbase
34. The MOOC market is predicted to bring in over $25 billion by 2025.
Based on Zion Market Research, the market for MOOCs ((Massively Open Online Courses) could be worth more than $25 billion by the year 2025. North America is currently the largest market for e-learning, with the biggest market share.
E-Learning Statistics FAQ
What is the size of the e-learning industry?
The e-learning market size was 200 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach 400 billion U.S. dollars worldwide in 2026.
Source: Statista
How fast is eLearning growing?
According to ReportLinker, the global E-learning market is anticipated to grow at a yearly rate of 14.22% from 2022-2027. The widespread use of the internet and mobile devices is propelling this market’s growth.
Source: ReportLinker
What is the size of the online course market?
The global online course market was worth $101 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $167.5 billion by 2026. During the forecast period, the industry is anticipated to flourish at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. Internet users are among the key drivers of the online course market, as well as increasing tuition fees for conventional education.
Source: Statista
Why is online school better?
Digital learning reduces the amount of time spent studying compared to traditional classroom study by 60 percent. Digital learning is more captivating and interactive, giving students a greater educational experience.
Source: PapersOwl
Is online learning effective?
According to a recent survey, 40% of college students find eLearning useful. This implies that a significant proportion of college students believe eLearning to be beneficial. This is probably due to the fact that e-learning may be more adaptable and less expensive than traditional education.
Source: Statista
What are the benefits of online learning?
The are multiple benefits to learning online:
- Convenient: Learn at your own pace, in your own home.
- Affordable: Often much cheaper than traditional learning methods.
- Flexible: Choose from a variety of courses to suit your needs.
- Accessible: Learn from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
What Are the pros and cons of E-learning?
Pros of E-learning
1. Increased flexibility and convenience – E-learning allows learners to access materials and complete assignments at any time, from any location.
2. Increased efficiency – With no need to travel to a physical location, E-learning can save learners time and money.
3. Increased engagement – E-learning can be more engaging than traditional learning methods, thanks to its multimedia components.
4. Increased accessibility – E-learning can be delivered to learners anywhere in the world, regardless of their location or physical abilities.
Cons of E-learning:
1. Potential for distraction – While there are many benefits to E-learning, one potential downside is that learners may be more easily distracted when working online than when working in a traditional learning environment.
2. Lack of social interaction – One of the key benefits of traditional learning is the opportunity for social interaction among students. This is not as readily available in an E-learning environment.
3. Limited personalization – Because E-learning courses are often delivered in a standardized format, they may not always meet the needs of individual learners.
Why online learning is good?
On top of what I already mentioned about the benefits of online learning, a study by Potoma found out that only 26 percent of those who enroll in online classes over the internet feel they learn more efficiently in an online setting than in a conventional class. Online students may have trouble keeping up with the course since they learn at their own speed, making it difficult to stay on track.
Source: Potoma
What are the best Online course platforms?
Some of the best online course platforms include Thinkific, LearnWorlds, and Uscreen. These platforms offer a variety of courses from different educational institutions and organizations. They also offer certifications for the completion of courses.
Conclusion
What we can see is that the e-learning market is expected to keep on its upwards trend even after the COVID pandemic. It is expected to reach $400 billion by 2026 with a year-over-year growth rate of 14%.
So whether you’re a teacher, student, or an individual online course creator, keep on finding the best ways to learn online. It seems to be the future of learning anyways.
Learn more about selling courses online:
- How to Create and Sell Online Courses in (A Step-by-Step Guide)
- Best Online Course Platforms
- Online Course Pricing Calculator
Mats-Peter Forss
Mats-Peter Forss is a full-time website tycoon and digital product creator with years of experience in different software products. Along with writing to forssinc.com, Mats-Peter is running multiple different websites and selling digital products (vectors, fonts, and logo templates).