Number of college students enrolled in distance education U.S. 2021, by institution
In the fall of 2021, about 8.5 million students were enrolled in at least one distance education course from a public postsecondary institution in the United States. This is compared to 798,845 students who were enrolled in distance education courses from private, for profit institutions. The high enrollment level in distance education courses is due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.