The Next Generation of Students Isn’t Waiting for Higher Ed to Catch Up

New Survey Shows 90% of Gen Z Would Choose Online College, But Are We Listening?

We are witnessing a quiet revolution in higher education, but this time, it is not being led by policymakers or presidents of elite institutions. Instead, it is 18-to-24-year-olds who are making intentional, future-focused choices about where and how they learn.

At Champlain College Online, we’ve always believed in meeting learners where they are. Yet, as the pace of change in higher education accelerates, many are now realizing just how quickly the landscape is shifting. Our latest national survey of more than 2,000 college-aged adults reveals what many of us working in the space have suspected for a while: younger students are no longer defaulting to the traditional college experience. Nearly 90% said they would consider an online degree, up from 73% just two years ago. This is not a minor fluctuation; this is a generational pivot.

Yet, many institutions continue to position online education as a fallback—something for working parents, career changers, or adult learners balancing jobs and caregiving. But let me be clear: the students choosing online college today are just as ambitious, discerning, and capable as those preferring in-person instruction, dorms, and dining plans.

The Myth of the "Typical" Student Is Collapsing

Let us dispense with the outdated assumptions. The idea that online learners are exclusively older adults or second-chance students is not just inaccurate; it is harmful. At Champlain, one in seven of our new online students is between 18 and 24 years old. In high-demand fields like Game Development and Marketing, nearly half fall within that age group. National data mirrors this trend, with interest in fully online colleges doubling among high school juniors and seniors in recent years.

Why? Because they are making smart decisions. Our survey shows that flexibility, affordability, and self-paced learning are the top drivers behind their choices—benefits that online institutions offer in abundance.

A Mission to Meet Students Where They Are

Online institutions are built differently and proudly so. While traditional colleges often focus on exclusivity, online institutions embrace a mission of access and adaptability. We serve a broad and diverse population, understanding that every student’s path looks different.

We could make our numbers look better on paper by narrowing admissions or prioritizing only those already positioned for success. But that is not our goal. We believe success is not defined by how few are accepted; it is defined by how many are supported and how well.

For online learners, especially those balancing complex responsibilities, flexibility is not a luxury; it is a lifeline. Younger students are recognizing that same value. They are making intentional choices, and we should honor those decisions with high-quality, student-centered programs that meet them where they are.

Employers Understand. Now It’s Time We Do, Too

Another powerful shift? Eighty-seven percent of students in our survey said they believe employers are now more accepting of online degrees—and they are right. The world of work is changing, and the old stigma around online education is quickly eroding. Today, skills, outcomes, and adaptability matter more than location.

Online programs provide students with career-relevant skills, technology fluency, and the experience of managing complex, asynchronous projects—competencies that mirror today’s job market. As higher education professionals, it is time we stop viewing online education as “alternative” and start seeing it for what it truly is: a modern, mission-driven solution that serves a modern student body.

Redefining Success on Students’ Terms

This is not about pitting online against on-campus. Not every student is looking for the same college experience. Some may want a traditional campus. Others may need to work, care for family, or move at their own pace. Either way, their choices deserve respect.

The future of higher education is not about clinging to a single model. It is about trusting students to define success for themselves and giving them access to high-quality options that support their aspirations. Whether they are 18 or 58, pursuing a degree or gaining new skills, online learners are showing us what is possible when education adapts to real life.

It is time we stop measuring progress by outdated metrics of exclusivity and start celebrating the institutions—and the students—who are building new paths to opportunity.

The next generation of learners is already here. They are informed, intentional, and increasingly online.

Let us meet them with open doors.