There is an article out today that argues that distance learning can reduce dropout rates.  The article points out several things that happen to be obvious to current distance learners, such as some of the reasons people drop out of school.  

Generally, there are some people in the population that would love to get an education and take part in the whole college experience.  They are unable to do so for any number of reasons.  People drop out due to family obligations, the need to work to sustain a family, or just being overwhelmed with the whole concept and the requirements that come along with being a successful student.  

Distance learning offers the flexibility to overcome those things.  With very flexible class schedules, the ability to contribute on their own schedule, and rolling enrollment, students are more capable of fitting school in around existing commitments, and able to work around situations that arise unexpectedly that would otherwise force the student to drop out.

As someone who has been a distance learning student at Kaplan University for four years, I would argue that not only does the flexibility of the learning environment reduce the drop out rate, but it also can increase enrollment.  

Pretend for a second that college degrees were not attainable off-campus.  That would mean that colleges would be filled with those who have recently graduated from high school, and the very few and far between adult learner who is making huge sacrifices in terms of their career, income, and family just to go back to college.  These are the traditional characteristics of your college campus.

When we throw distance learning into the mix, not only have we provided more learning options for those who attend on-campus, but we’ve opened the doors to literally thousands (if not millions) of adult learners who would not otherwise have the resources to attend college.  From a marketing standpoint, this is a win-win for everyone involved.  

Think of a man or woman who manufactures <insert product here>.  If they only had the resources to get their product into a couple of stores, their opportunities for profit and growth is very limited.  The demand for their product would eventually become stagnate, and growth would peak in a very short amount of time based on the number of people who had access to that product.

Now imagine that same man or woman who suddenly has the ability to sell their product at Wal-Mart AND on the web.  This would create a potential for growth and revenue of over 1000% depending on demand, availability, and other market factors.  The math is simple.  The potential is limitless.

Distance learning works much the same way.  When people are presented with new opportunities to do something they have always wanted to do, but were constrained for some reason, they will usually jump at the chance.  So my argument is not only has distance learning reduced the dropout rate, but it has also opened doors that will continue to increase enrollment in higher education over the next several years.