Trends in Online Education for 2025

With continual changes in technology and an evolving workforce, many working adults are seeking online learning options to help them grow their capabilities. Given this shifting landscape, it can be helpful to explore how online learning has evolved in recent years and where experts expect it to grow in the year ahead.

Taylor Corum, senior solutions consultant for employer partnerships at Strategic Education, Inc., recently discussed trends in online education.

Can you describe your role on the team?

My role as a senior solutions consultant means that I partner with existing clients and prospects to talk about their education programs. I tend to focus on a few different areas. Part of my job is to stay on top of trends in education, understand what employers are doing in certain industries, and how those efforts can help learners.

What are some trends you’ve observed over the past few years in online education?

We’ve seen that people are really interested in programs that will qualify them for a particular role, either now or in the future. Academic degrees will always be highly valued, but we’re also seeing skill-building and certificate programs grow in popularity: credentials and micro-credentials.

Many students are focusing more on programs that take less time to complete but can help them be ready for a specific opportunity.

How do you see these trends evolving in the coming year?

I think these trends will continue. Certainly, we’ll see sustained interest in shorter, more focused programs. We’re also seeing increased interest in tech and vocational schools. People are expressing much more interest in those career paths.

Many learners use Workforce Edge to get started with a degree program. Can you speak to its value for those seeking a skill-building program, webinars, certificate programs, or other forms of learning?

Workforce Edge is highly valuable in terms of providing those kinds of opportunities. That's where we're increasing our options the most in terms of bringing new partners onto the platform and making sure those programs are visible and available to learners. This will continue over the next year and beyond.

Going back to school can be a big commitment, so sometimes taking a course or a workshop to get started can be a good test for you as an individual, to try it out and help get you ready for more education.

What kind of feedback have you received from students using Workforce Edge? What are some features of the platform that users particularly enjoy?

I would say that users really appreciate how simple the platform is to use. It provides so much visibility in terms of where a user is in the process. We even have a budget bar that’s updated in real time; for example, every time a tuition assistance request is submitted and approved, your remaining budget for the year is displayed. It can be so helpful.

Also, the level of customer support that we provide with our advising team is critical. They will walk someone through the entire process, helping them to get started and continue with their program.

We want learners to be successful, and we're really invested in making sure that they’re getting what they need out of the platform.

Lastly, users really appreciate the options Workforce Edge provides: everything from licenses, seminars, workshops, conferences, certificate courses, and more.

Do you have any advice for students interested in getting started with a program or Workforce Edge in general?

I think the biggest thing for working adults is trying to balance life, work, and other responsibilities. Starting a new program can be a commitment, so it helps to dip your toe in. Maybe take an individual general education course through Sophia. Or, explore workshops or webinars through Workforce Edge—something relatively low-lift to get started.

Speaking from my own experience and some students I’ve talked to, there’s no reason to wait. After I completed my own program, I thought “I could have made this happen two years ago. Why didn’t I get started sooner?”

The other thing students should keep in mind is how important a support system can be. Whether it’s talking to your manager about what the options are, connecting with a mentor who’s already completed a program, or reaching out to co-workers who are pursuing education – this can all be really helpful.

If you’re ready to explore your education options, get started by creating or logging in to your Workforce Edge account.