How do 100% Online Degrees impact employability in today's job market?
The pandemic sped up the shift to online learning, but the real catalyst has been new technologies and wider internet access. Digital education is now reshaping higher learning, with universities investing heavily in order to broaden online programs.
Online degrees now provide access to quality programs and drive a surge in enrollment and demand. However, a key question remains: can full online degrees match traditional education and boost employability?
Technological and transferable skills' development
According to our survey of employers, 51,5% see online degrees as effective for building technical skills like coding, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. However, only 46,7% believe these programs effectively develop soft skills such as communication and teamwork, which are crucial for roles with interpersonal interaction.
Despite this gap, 41,6% of employers see value in online degrees for helping mid-career professionals upskill and switch fields, which makes them attractive for industries focused on technical expertise. With the growth of digitalization, demand for these programs is likely to keep growing.
Mixed global acceptance
Acceptance of online degrees varies widely depending on the area. In countries like the U.S., India, and Australia, over 70% of employers are open to hiring online graduates, but in regions like France and Germany, it’s below 50%, which reflects a preference for traditional education.
Employer satisfaction also differs by field. While engineering and IT roles report more than 75% satisfaction, customer service roles drop to 70%, citing as the main reason the lack of communication and leadership skills. Marketing and communication sectors are even less confident, with rates below 60%. Many employers believe online programs lack real-world engagement, which makes it harder to develop critical interpersonal skills.
How can Online Degrees improve?
38,6% of employers emphasize the importance of communication and teamwork skills, which may be lacking in fully online learning environments.
To address the ongoing soft skills gap, online programs need to go beyond static content by adding real-world projects, live simulations, and group tasks. These practical experiences help develop communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that employers value and replicate what students gain in traditional settings.
About 60% of companies globally are willing to hire graduates from online programs, though this varies across regions and industries. Employers value key skills, with 41,7% focusing on the ability to learn and adapt to new technologies, and 36% prioritizing practical experience and industry knowledge, areas where online programs could improve. So to boost employability, institutions should implement standardized assessments and clear accreditation to build trust.
Collaboration with industries is also crucial. By working with businesses, online programs can align their courses with the skills employers need. For example, 41,6% of employers prioritize upskilling and continuous learning, while 40,1% value specialized knowledge in emerging areas.
Through partnerships, institutions can offer real-world projects and internships to help students develop these soft skills. Although only 27,6% of employers currently value experience with socially engaged projects, offering more opportunities for students to engage in community or industry-based initiatives could strengthen both technical skills and social awareness.
As remote work expands, companies want more than technical skills, so they need graduates who can lead virtual projects and communicate effectively in digital spaces. Online degrees that prioritize these skills will be better positioned to boost employability and compete with traditional programs.
