The Top States For Online Learning Interest In 2025

If you think online learning peaked during the pandemic, the latest data suggests that might not be the case. It’s still on the rise, and new research from eLearning Industry, a top online‑learning industry publication, shows that interest in virtual education remains remarkably strong, and in some states, it’s accelerating.

This momentum lines up with what’s happening in business education overall. AACSB reports that master’s‑level business enrollment has jumped 13 percent in the past six years and 30 percent over the last decade in their 2024 report. A big part of that growth comes from online and hybrid programs, which are especially appealing to students who want flexibility, career options, and the chance to build specialized skills without putting everything else on pause.

To measure public demand for online learning, the study analyzed monthly Google search volumes for five key terms across all 50 states: best online colleges, k12 online school, online accounting degree, online bachelor’s degree, and online business degree. Researchers then compared average monthly searches to 2025 population estimates to calculate how many searches occurred per 100,000 residents.

New York leads the nation for monthly online education searches, generating 179.8 searches per 100,000 residents – 53% higher than the national average of 117.5 searches. All-in-all, the Empire State shows nearly a total of 36,000 online‑learning searches each month.

Texas ranks second, with 168.5 searches per 100,000 residents, a 43.4 percent increase above the national average. The Lone Star State recorded more than 53,000 monthly searches total.

In third was Louisiana, logging 143.2 searches per 100,000 residents, or 21.9 percent above the national average. This goes to show that online learning demand is rising even in the south. When you look at the numbers, it’s easy to see why this state ranked third, as it is home to some of the most hardworking people in the U.S.

Next Page: An Inside Look at American Study Habits.

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