Gas prices are climbing closer to $5 per gallon every day, so it's no wonder people are looking to cut down on driving in any way possible. In order to save money and protect the environment, many employees have negotiated with their companies to work from home one day a week or have moved within walking distance to their workplace. Every little bit helps when commuting costs are as much as $70 a week.
For people attending college courses, negotiating with a professor to miss class once a week may not be an option. But there is a great way for students of all ages to pursue an education while protecting both their wallet and the environment: get an online education.
While online degree programs have been popular for years, enrollment in accredited online college courses has recently multiplied at an unprecedented level. Surveys have indicated that the overall number of students taking online courses has nearly doubled in the last six years.
Many colleges are reporting a 40 percent spike* in enrollment in online courses over the 2007-2008 school year, which officials attribute to higher gas prices. Considering that as much as 79 percent of students live off campus** it's understandable that many have decided to save money by pursuing an education online.
Besides rising gas prices, some students have noted their desire to protect the environment as a reason to pursue an online education, since cars emit dangerous emissions. Studying online conserves the fossil fuels which are used to create gasoline. Reducing the amount of time on the road greatly diminishes a person's carbon footprint, or impact on the environment.
Source: http://www.allonlineschools.com/online-education-resource-center/onlinedegrees-gascosts-article/ ~ by Melanie Reichwald