Online Education Success: Why Support Matters More Than Ever
By: AJ Lemheney, Ed.D., VP and executive director of Graduate & Continuing Education, and Todd Cooley, M.S., associate director of GCE admissions Friday, July 11, 2025 11:51 AM
The promise of online education has never been more appealing. Flexible schedules, reduced costs, and the ability to earn a degree while maintaining work and family commitments have drawn millions of students to remote degree programs. Yet, behind the marketing materials and enrollment growth lies a troubling reality every prospective online student should understand.
Remote degree programs experienced considerable growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, recent data reveal a pattern that challenges the industry’s success narrative. According to a comprehensive analysis published in Inside Higher Ed, data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) exposes disappointing completion rates at major online institutions.
Prominent institutions exhibit eight-year completion rates below 50%. These numbers fall dramatically short of the national average of 65% for all students. Even more concerning are the outcomes for part-time, first-time students — the very demographic these institutions are designed to serve. Completion rates for this group plummet below 20%.
The Real Challenge
While these institutions often cite their students’ complex lives — juggling work commitments, family responsibilities, and financial constraints — as explanations for low completion rates, this reasoning misses the mark. These challenges aren’t unique circumstances; they’re the defining characteristics of the adult-learner population that online programs specifically target.
When designing programs for working professionals and adult learners, these realities should serve as foundational assumptions that drive program design and support structures, not excuses for poor outcomes. The data suggests that rapid scaling in online education may be compromising the very support systems that ensure student success.
Comprehensive Support Drives Success
The contrast between these industry-wide struggles and what’s possible with proper support is striking. At Muhlenberg College’s Division of Graduate and Continuing Education, we’ve developed an approach specifically designed around the realities of adult learners’ lives, and our results speak volumes. Our on-time completion rates exceed 90%, demonstrating that online education can deliver on its promises when students receive adequate support.
Every student deserves more than a generic experience. Our approach includes:
- Dedicated Academic Advisors: Each student partners with an advisor who develops a personalized degree completion plan, monitors progress throughout the program, and provides proactive guidance when challenges arise. This is not occasional check-ins — it’s ongoing, meaningful support that adapts to each student’s evolving needs.
- Flexibility of Online Learning With Structured Support: From application to registration to course completion, students are supported by our admissions counselors, advisors, and faculty who respect students’ commitments to career and family. While our programs are online, faculty hold live online classes each week to ensure students' progress and success. All our advisors provide virtual meeting options, including after-hours and weekend options.
Success in online education requires more than just access to course materials. Our integrated support services include:
- Online tutoring and writing assistance tailored specifically to adult learners
- Technology resources with dedicated support staff
- Career development services that connect academic learning to professional goals
- Proactive intervention through regular student success check-ins
- Dedicated financial aid counselors who maximize aid opportunities and develop sustainable funding strategies
The Power of Community
One of the most significant advantages of our program is the cohort-based learning model. This approach fosters genuine peer connections and built-in accountability systems, helping students maintain consistent progress while building professional networks that extend far beyond graduation.
The difference between becoming another concerning statistic and successfully earning your degree often comes down to one crucial factor: the level of support your program provides. As online education continues to evolve, prospective students must look beyond marketing promises to examine actual outcomes and support structures.
When evaluating online programs, ask questions like:
- What specific support systems are in place for working adults?
- How do completion rates compare to national averages?
- What happens when students face academic or personal challenges?
- How does the institution measure and ensure student success?
At Muhlenberg College’s Division of Graduate and Continuing Education, these questions drive everything we do. Your success isn’t just our goal — it’s our proven track record. In an industry where too many students become cautionary tales, we’re committed to ensuring your story ends with celebration.
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