At this year’s ITC National Annual Conference, Ian Coronado and I presented on the results of the 2025 national survey.  For any of you that have been members for any length of time, you know that the ITC has conducted an annual survey since 2004 – focused on Distance Learning, it surveyed consistent data points to build a longitudinal understanding of the challenges and successes of Distance Learning at America’s community colleges.  We missed a beat during the first year of the pandemic – we were all very distracted at that time – but have otherwise annually reported the seemingly continuous growth of Distance Learning.

Our membership has repeatedly expressed appreciation for the data – our survey results have been used extensively at many campuses to improve budgets, staffing and/or adoption of key practices to improve the quality and success of Distance Learning.  Our membership also pointed out that completing the annual survey was becoming a struggle – so many questions!!

When Ian stepped up to take on the ITC national survey project, we discussed the challenges of conducting a large survey instrument - - and decided we could/should break up the survey into a few shorter, more focused surveys that could be conducted throughout the year.  We launched this new approach in Fall 2025 – and focused on the new accessibility requirements/the challenges our campuses were dealing with.  We also included a few questions about AI and some general questions about online program enrollments.  The major results are included in the hyperlink (below) to the Survey Infographic.  We wanted to share the Infographic and will send out an executive summary along with the Infographic to our members in the next few weeks.

Selected key data from the survey includes:

Distance Learning Enrollments

• Respondents reported that on average, online enrollments account for 42% of their institution’s enrollment
• 82% of respondents reported that their online enrollments INCREASTED (from 2024 to 2025)
• By 2030, respondents predicted that their institution’s online enrollments would increase by 7% - 49% of the overall enrollment

Fraudulent Enrollments (Ghost Students)

• 50% of respondents reported that their institution was experiencing an increase in this type of enrollment.  30% indicated they weren’t sure  and 12% indicated they did not have this problem

There is more!  Check out the link to the Survey Infographic:

2026 ITC National Survey Infographic

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