Surprised? Two primarily online universities and one community college among the top five. FYI, the University of Phoenix has more than twice the number of students (117,309) as any of the next four (which range from 54,169 to 50,663).
[Source: Chronicle of Higher Education. Campuses with the Largest Enrollments, Fall 2005. August 31, 2007.]
What did they consider a campus? The eight branches of Indiana University across the state have around 92,000 students. Does that make IU the second biggest?
Posted by: Ben Fulton | September 11, 2007 at 07:29 AM
No, each branch is its own campus.
Posted by: Scott McLeod | September 11, 2007 at 09:15 AM
I had to take a University of Phoenix course in 1993 to overcome a deficiency for my teaching certification when I moved to Arizona. The course lasted one intense weekend and it was over. The nearby university offered a course that would have taken a full semester to complete. The choice was obvious. In and out.
There are plenty of students who take courses for such reasons and I wonder if those just-in-time students have inflated U of PHX's numbers.
I also have to add that they certainly have been more responsive than large institutions in offering courses to fill niche needs.
Posted by: Michael McVey | September 11, 2007 at 09:16 AM
There are plenty of success stories supporting the benefits of online learning. I'm in one and a half online classes right now (the only ones offered in the Ph.D. program) and while I do miss the interaction, it's tough to argue about the convenience -- especially with two little kiddos at home!
I also did half of an online masters from Nova Southeastern and found it to be a great experience.
Posted by: Scott Elias | September 11, 2007 at 11:20 AM