Press Release

Media Contact: Kelsey Ill
(857) 221-9772
kelseyill@eduventures.com

EDUVENTURES STUDY HELPS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES UNDERSTAND GROWING COMPLEXITY OF ONLINE HIGHER EDUCATION MARKET

Maturing Market Creating New Challenges for Schools

 (Boston, MA) November 26, 2007 - As the online higher education continues its transformation – moving from the periphery to the mainstream – schools offering online programming will find themselves competing in an increasingly complex market, according to Eduventures' latest report, Understanding the National Online Higher Education Market.

The most detailed examination of the size and shape of the U.S. online higher education market ever conducted, the report estimates there are currently 1.5 million 100% online students; these students represent 8% of all students at U.S. degree-granting, Title IV schools and 20% of adult students.

As the number of students undertaking online study continues to grow and the market matures, the report maintains that providers of online courses will face different scenarios and challenges depending on their size, reputation, and location.

The report aims to help administrators of online programs meet these challenges and develop effective expansion plans by providing them with a clear picture of online market size and shape in their home states, regions, and across the nation; new data on consumer demand for online higher education; and up-to-date information on the status of state regulation of out-of-state distance learning.

According to Richard Garrett, Program Director and Senior Analyst of Eduventures Online Higher Education Learning Collaborative and the author of the report, understanding the geographical distribution of their students, as well as the ongoing implications of new competition, market positioning, and state regulation, will be key to the future success of online schools.

"The days of one online market, one online student, and one online value proposition are coming to an end," said Garrett. "In a maturing market, irrespective of school circumstances, targeting, segmentation, and differentiation are critical."

A series of 11 reports, Understanding the National Online Higher Education Market is available exclusively to members of Eduventures Online Higher Education Learning Collaborative. Members jointly underwrite online market and best practices studies, and have access to custom research to serve the interests of individual institutions. Topics covered in the report will also be the subject of a live Web conference being hosted by Eduventures on December 3rd at 2 p.m. ET. More information about this free Web conference can be found at www.eduventures.com.

About Eduventures
Eduventures is the industry leader in collaborative research and consulting for higher education. Eduventures is committed to providing colleges and universities with cost-effective, data-driven research and analysis designed to improve critical operations and practices. More than 300 higher education institutions participate in one or more of Eduventures’ six Learning Collaboratives: Continuing and Professional Education, Development, Enrollment Management, Online Higher Education, Schools of Education, and Student Affairs. These collaboratives provide members with research reports on current trends and issues, custom analysis, and implementation support, including opportunities to network with fellow professionals. More about Eduventures can be found at www.eduventures.com.