- 88% of StraighterLine students cite convenience as a reason of “high importance” for their enrollment, and they consistently find StraighterLine courses to be more convenient than alternatives, with 81% finding StraighterLine to be more convenient than community colleges, 76% discovering more StraighterLine convenience than with four-year colleges or universities, and 70% viewing StraighterLine with greater convenience than online college or university courses.
- 83% of StraighterLine students attach “high importance” to enrolling in a course because they believe they will save money. Their experience bears that out, with StraighterLine rating favorably in most cost comparisons. Majorities report that StraighterLine is less expensive than a four-school school (75%), online courses through colleges or universities (61%) and community college courses (53%).
Study Reveals that Course Rigor and College Credit Draws Students to StraighterLine
Baltimore, MD, August 27, 2012 – An independent study by Hezel Associates reveals two key factors motivating students to take college-level courses through StraighterLine. Students find that the high degree of academic rigor and their ability to fulfill pre-requisite course requirements for college credit are driving factors in their selection of StraighterLine as an educational option. The announcement was made by Burck Smith, founder and CEO, StraighterLine, which for a second straight year engaged Hezel Associates to develop, execute and analyze a study of the StraighterLine student population. The study’s purpose is to help StraighterLine better understand the level of student satisfaction with the online course experience. Among the key elements of the survey and for the second consecutive year, more than 9 in 10 StraighterLine students (91%) indicated they would recommend the program to a friend, with the percentage even higher among those who successfully completed a course. Also for the second consecutive year, respondents who had earned college credit through other means were asked to compare that experience to StraighterLine on a number of measures. Among that sub-group, StraighterLine courses were found to be more or equally academically rigorous by the vast majority of students who had taken a prior learning assessment (PLA) (96%), non-university courses (96%), online university or college courses (91%), or brick and mortar community college courses (87%). According to the survey nearly 95% of StraighterLine students who sought and applied for college-level credit for their StraighterLine courses were successful. “It’s gratifying to see how affordable college credit has been embraced by the StraighterLine student population and recognized by over 300 colleges,” said Burck Smith, CEO of StraighterLine. “Self-paced, pay-as-you-go college-level courses may sound like a pipe dream, but they are a very real benefit to thousands of students today, and an exponentially greater number in the future.” Seventy-two percent of survey respondents report that fulfilling a pre-requisite course requirement is a reason of “high importance” for enrolling in a StraighterLine course. Other key findings include :