Distance enrollment jumped in 2020–21, then partly receded
National fall enrollment moved sharply toward distance study in 2020–21, then shifted back by 2023–24.
Start before 2020–21. How was the national distance-enrollment mix changing?
From 2014–15 to 2019–20, exclusively distance and some-distance enrollment rose while no-distance enrollment declined.
What changed in 2020–21, and where did the mix stand by 2023–24?
Exclusively distance enrollment became the largest category in 2020–21. By 2023–24, 5,072,500 students were exclusively distance, 5,435,052 took some distance courses, and 9,196,036 took none.
Put the full period into one chart. What conclusion can we draw without claiming a cause?
2020–21 is a sharp break, not a smooth continuation of the earlier trend. By 2023–24, no-distance enrollment was again largest, but remained below its 2019–20 count.
The data shows when the mix changed. It does not isolate why the change happened or establish a permanent effect.
National fall enrollment by distance participation, 2014–15 to 2023–24
- Exclusively distance
- Some distance
- No distance
| Collection cycle | Exclusively distance | Some distance | No distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 2,859,366 | 2,945,005 | 15,184,853 |
| 2015-16 | 2,909,538 | 3,133,104 | 14,671,063 |
| 2016-17 | 3,012,073 | 3,364,476 | 14,155,278 |
| 2017-18 | 3,136,838 | 3,558,906 | 13,731,893 |
| 2018-19 | 3,295,883 | 3,720,828 | 13,264,334 |
| 2019-20 | 3,476,721 | 3,861,100 | 12,916,619 |
| 2020-21 | 8,961,704 | 5,430,432 | 5,271,634 |
| 2021-22 | 5,745,664 | 5,642,840 | 7,923,201 |
| 2022-23 | 4,976,054 | 5,281,450 | 8,951,801 |
| 2023-24 | 5,072,500 | 5,435,052 | 9,196,036 |