Online education, AI help millions finish college degree last mile

Online education and AI-powered support systems are emerging as key solutions for the millions of Americans with unfinished college degrees. With over 40 million people having some college credit but no credential—a number that grew by 1.4 million from 2021 to 2022—institutions like Southern New Hampshire University are leveraging flexible online courses and artificial intelligence to address the structural barriers that prevent degree completion, including work schedules, caregiving responsibilities, and financial constraints.

The big picture: While traditional college enrollments decline ahead of a projected “enrollment cliff,” online education is experiencing significant growth as it provides flexible pathways for students who couldn’t complete their degrees through conventional programs.

• The number of students taking exclusively online courses increased from 5.72 million to 7.45 million between the 2019-20 and 2022-23 academic years, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
• Simultaneously, the number of students taking no online courses decreased from 12.87 million to 8.99 million during the same period.

Key details: Southern New Hampshire University has embraced asynchronous online education to accommodate the complex lives of its student population.

• More than 200,000 SNHU students now take classes online, with two-thirds transferring in with previous credit.
• The university’s courses don’t require scheduled meeting times, recognizing that many students are balancing work, family, and community obligations.

Why this matters: The flexibility of online education directly addresses the structural barriers identified in the Center for Higher Education Policy and Practice’s brief, including full-time employment, caregiving responsibilities, housing insecurity, and prior educational debt.

AI integration: SNHU implemented an AI-powered chatbot named Penny in 2022 to enhance student support and connect with the university’s advising system.

• Developed with educational technology company EdSights, the chatbot answers common questions and sends weekly messages based on the academic calendar.
• Since implementation, student engagement has increased by 3.8 percent, and advisers have increased their call volume by 10 percent.

What they’re saying: “We all do better when learners of all ages have access to higher education and the support they need to achieve their goals,” said SNHU spokeswoman Siobhan Lopez.

• She emphasized that “online education has the power to drive equitable outcomes and transform the lives of entire communities who are often overlooked or left behind by higher education.”
• Amy Regan, a student experience product strategist at SNHU, noted that requiring synchronous attendance “would add a layer of difficulty” for students who already “have a lot on their plates.”