The Economics of Online Postsecondary Education: MOOCs, Nonselective Education, and Highly Selective Education

Caroline Hoxby

American Economic Review, 2014, vol. 104, issue 5, 528-33

Abstract: I consider economically sustainable online postsecondary education, including massive open online courses (MOOCs). The analysis suggests that MOOCs will be financially sustainable substitutes for some non-selective postsecondary education, but there are substantial risks. The analysis suggests that MOOCs will be financially sustainable substitutes for only a small share of highly selective postsecondary education (HSPE) and are likely to collapse the economic model that allows HSPE institutions to invest in advanced education and research. I outline a non-MOOC model of online education that may allow HSPE institutions to sustain their distinctive activities and to reach a larger number of students.

JEL-codes: I23 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
Note: DOI: 10.1257/aer.104.5.528
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (23)

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Working Paper: The Economics of Online Postsecondary Education: MOOCs, Nonselective Education, and Highly Selective Education (2014)
Working Paper: The Economics Of Online Postsecondary Education: MOOCs, Nonselective Education, And Highly Selective Education (2014)
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