Online courses edge out in-person courses for skill-building
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted Jan. 16 to 27, 2025, 41% of Americans said they would prefer taking an online course for a skill they need, assuming the cost is similar.
About three-in-ten preferred an in-person course (31%), while 14% were indifferent. Another 14% said they do not take courses online or in person, or were not sure.
Topline distribution
41% of Americans prefer an online course for learning a needed skill when cost is similar.
Do you prefer taking an online or an in-person course for a skill that you need, provided that the cost is similar?
n = 1,000 · Jan 16–27, 2025 · MoE ±3.3%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | United States adults |
| Field dates | Jan 16–27, 2025 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.3% |
| Module | Verasight AEA Omnibus Survey #2025-002 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- verasight-aea-2025.tiiny.co
Do you prefer taking an online or an in-person course for a skill that you need, provided that the cost is similar?
Cite this question
Verasight AEA Omnibus Survey #2025-002, fielded January 16-27, 2025, N=1,000 United States adults, +/- 3.3%.