How did 2025 measure up for online education? The honest answer: Results were mixed.
On one hand, AI tools made online education more personalized than ever. More students learned on their own terms through flexible formats.
But lower online student completion rates continued. Technology gaps hampered enrollments and student success. And some faculty were underprepared for the virtual classroom.
Let’s unpack what went right, what still needs work, and how a trusted partner can help your institution sort out its challenges.
What Online Education Got Right in 2025
Progress isn’t always made in one giant leap. Sometimes it’s made through small but important steps forward. Here are some of the areas where online higher education progressed in 2025.
AI-Powered Adaptive Learning Boosted Student Engagement
Not all students have the same learning styles or strengths. But creating 20+ different lesson plans per class? That’s not realistic.
AI-driven personalized learning tools provided more help in the classroom in 2025—often through adaptive learning systems. These systems collect student data like test results, engagement patterns, and assignment completion times. Algorithms then analyze progress and deliver real-time feedback, personalized content, and pathway adjustments.
And student outcomes show it’s working, with:
- Increased engagement in 36% of studies
- Increased academic performance in 59% of studies
The University of Central Florida—the largest U.S. university by undergraduate enrollment—dipped its toes into adaptive learning in 2014. Now it’s using the technology institution-wide.
And this university isn’t alone. Most of today’s adaptive learning platforms are built for college-level courses, and universities are rolling them out across an expanding range of majors.
In 2025, 57% of higher education institutions prioritized AI in personalized learning—up 8% from 2024. Most sources agree that adaptive learning use is increasing yearly.
Hybrid and Blended Learning Helped Students Connect and Excel
Some students thrive in 100% online learning, but many others crave direct human interaction. Universities offering hybrid and blended learning options upped their game in 2025.
These formats let online and on-campus students interact in real time and often include optional in-person labs or sessions. Done right, they offer the best of both worlds: flexibility and connection.
Major universities and their partners earned recognition for outstanding blended learning support and innovation in 2025. Their efforts made education more accessible and engaging, while equipping educators with more tools to help students succeed.
Industry sources report that the trend of higher education institutions adopting hybrid classes will continue, serving students who want face-to-face interaction. Late 2024 investments in advanced technology point to a greater focus on hybrid learning in 2025 and beyond.
Microcredentials Offered More Ways to Learn
Stackable certificates and other skills-focused microcredentials cater to students seeking something besides a degree. In two 2025 surveys, two-thirds of chief online learning officers (COLOs) said their institutions invested in these types of programs.
If you’re still on the fence about offering microcredentials, consider this: A mid-2025 report showed that 96% of employers and 85% of learners believe microcredentials are good for a resume.
Overall, 2025 was a year of solid progress. But while personalization and flexibility expanded, not all students or institutions benefited equally, and other concerns persisted.
Ongoing Challenges for Online Education in 2025
We get it: Change in higher education can be slow. Limited resources, internal politics, and competing priorities can make it hard to keep your university at the forefront of online learning trends. Here are some of the biggest challenges from 2025—and how your institution can address them:
High Dropout Rates for Online Students
Online students are still less likely to finish a degree than campus-based students. That unfortunate trend continues whether programs are fully online or not.
Why? A range of reasons, including:
- Time management problems
- Lack of human interaction
- Lack of support services
- False expectations (e.g., “online will be easier”)
- Personal challenges
How can institutions improve retention? It starts with clear expectations and strong support systems:
- Set clear expectations about workload.
- Offer support early, such as tutoring, time management tools, and clear communication.
- Remind students that online programs aren’t “easier,” just more flexible.
- Support or accommodate students with issues outside school.
The personalization and blended learning advances from 2025 offer hope for retention. But even the best programs can’t reach students without reliable internet access.
Limited Broadband Access Hurts Student Enrollments
Is the internet everywhere? Not yet. A digital divide still exists.
As recently as 2024, the FCC found 45 million Americansstill didn’t have adequate broadband access. This impacts both institutions and aspiring students. And 2025 federal policy changes aren’t encouraging for a future with affordable broadband.
Still, the U.S. broadband map is gradually filling in.
Unequal Access to Modern Learning Tools
Remember the adaptive learning technology we mentioned earlier? Student outcomes were promising among institutions using it. But 57% of COLOs acknowledged “uneven access” to AI tools, and some students may remain disengaged or underperform as a result.
Is funding the main issue? In some cases, but many institutions still don’t have an AI strategy. With AI here to stay and influencing all corners of education, no institution can afford this oversight.
Lack of Teacher Preparation for the Online Classroom
Faculty members may be experts in their fields, but not all of them have experience teaching online. Online teaching requires faculty to:
- Use a variety of tech tools to teach and communicate
- Make lectures even more engaging
- Lead group discussions effectively
- Build a supportive, interactive learning environment
A 2025 survey suggests only 45% of COLOs think their faculty are ready to teach online, and just 28% believe they can design their own online courses.
These numbers suggest that traditional faculty training approaches aren’t closing the gap. Institutions may need to rethink how they support faculty in developing online teaching skills.
Partner With Apollidon for Success in 2026 and Beyond
Turn your online education challenges into achievements, starting in 2026. As a proven higher education partner, Apollidon Learning is ready to help.
Apollidon offers a full suite of customized precision growth marketing and student engagement services. Use them all or as many as you need. We have the advanced tools, experience, and insight to guide you through all phases of the student life cycle, and we’re there with you to tackle the tough obstacles.
Talk to us! Request your tailored consultation today.