57 eLearning Statistics To Improve Your Courses in 2025

Are you ready to take your online courses to the next level in 2025? The eLearning world is changing fast, and keeping up with the latest trends can make all the difference. 

To help you do that, the Uteach research team conducted an in-depth online survey of both beginner and advanced course creators offering online and hybrid courses.

After working with over 5,000 course creators only over the past year and analyzing the responses we gathered from individual surveys, the Uteach team compiled the eLearning statistics you need to uncover valuable insights.

These statistics will help you identify common trends and patterns in the course creation business. The findings are exclusive to Uteach, and you will not find them anywhere else. Plus, all the data is based on the international market, not limited to any specific region. 

If you would like to participate in our survey and contribute, you can fill out the anonymous survey here. And if you want to see what other creators shared, we will share the results with you as well. 

eLearning market statistics 

The eLearning world is on fire right now. According to Polaris Market Research, back in 2021, it was worth a whopping USD 214.26 billion and is expected to grow by 20.5% every single year moving forward. 

So why is it taking off so fast? Businesses are laser-focused on building their teams' skills, and let us not forget how younger learners are all about fun, interactive online lessons.

And here is where it gets even better. AI and machine learning are stepping in to totally change the industry as well. They already make it possible to create personalized content that feels like it was made just for each student. 

Source: Polaris Market Research

eLearning job statistics 

As with any business, course creation is regarded as a side gig as well as a main source of income. Our survey showed that most of the respondents have other jobs besides creating and selling courses.   
 

The main fields for the course business 

• 65% of creators offer courses and training programs in the fields in which they have acquired a degree or are currently working in
• 35% of creators and trainers offer course programs that do not match their current field of work 
• 60% of creators who offer courses where they have their working background have been in the industry for more than 5 years 

As you can see, a large number of course creators focus on offering courses in fields where they have formal education or industry experience. This does not suggest that you have to have a formal education in the field in which you create your courses. After all, it is all about the experience and insight you can provide. Even if your formal background does not match your current passion and experience, go ahead and start that course. 

Course business as an income source 

Interestingly, the numbers below show that while course creation can be lucrative, many creators, especially beginners, treat it as a supplementary income stream. 

More established creators, however, are starting to lean toward making it their primary income source. 

• 74% have a side job besides course creation
• 26% have their course creation business as the main and only source of income
• 71% who consider themselves an authority in the field have side gigs
• 29% who have established themselves as an authority in the field see course business as their only source of solid income
• 100% who consider themselves beginners in the industry have side gigs
• 66.6% who have average experience (3-5years) have other jobs and hustles besides course creation
• 33.4% of creators who have an average experience in the course creation business see course creation as their main source of income

Necessary skills statistics

This may not sound surprising, yet a significant number of course creators face challenges when it comes to marketing their courses. 

Creators who have been in the industry for more than five years tend to feel more confident in both marketing their courses and engaging with the public. With that being said, a notable number of course creators still view their marketing abilities as a work in progress, showing that even experienced creators acknowledge the importance of continuously refining their skills in this area.

• 19% of course creators have the necessary marketing skills to market their courses
• 25.8% of respondents do not have the required skills to market their courses
• 90% of creators who have the required marketing skills feel completely confident speaking to the public
• 40% of creators who have the necessary marketing skills have been in the industry for more than 5 years
• 60% of creators who consider they have enough skills to market their courses also consider they are an authority in their industry
• 20% of creators who can market their courses themselves have an average reputation in their industries
• 32% of course creators think they still need to improve their marketing skills
• 37% of creators consider themselves good at public speaking
• 50% of creators who are good at public speaking have been in the industry for more than 5 years

If you are not yet a pro in marketing, design, and sales, this should not impact your decision to start the business. On the contrary, it is an opportunity to refine those skills or network with professionals who can join your team. 

Online course business statistics 

Course business owners who participated in our survey have a variety of motivations for starting their ventures. For many creators, the desire to contribute to others' learning and growth is the primary driving force behind their business. A smaller group of course creators started their businesses with the goal of generating side income or promoting their other existing businesses and projects.

• 19.2% of course business owners started their business to create value and be helpful to others
• 13% of course business owners started their businesses to generate a side income
• 17.9% course business owners started their businesses to promote their other businesses and projects
• 7% of course business owners started their businesses to generate a solid income 

As you can see, only a few creators began their course businesses with the intention of generating a solid, long-term income. Only when they started feeling more confident did they treat the business as their only source of income. 

Course delivery methods statistics 

Creators tend to focus on both theory and practice when designing their courses, with most balancing the two elements to create a well-rounded learning experience. 

A small group of creators prioritize practical value, believing it is entirely possible to deliver all course materials online, while others feel it is only partially feasible.

Practice vs. Theory in online course creation

• 17.7% of course creators pay more attention to the practical value of the course when designing the materials
• 3.2% of course creators focus solely on the theoretical aspects when designing their courses
• 79.1% of course creators pay attention to both theoretical and practical value when creating their courses
• 66.6% of course creators who have a practical approach to creating courses think that it is completely possible to deliver their course materials online no matter the industry
• 18.7% of course creators who pay equal attention to the theory and practice think that delivering all the materials online is not fully possible

The days when you could share just information in the course are long gone. Now, everyone can Google and find the information they need or ask AI to generate the response. 

If you still want your online course to be successful, it has to be more than an exchange of information. So, instead of focusing on the theory, try sharing your unique experience and make sure there are hands-on activities for practice. 

Online vs. Offline courses

• 64.5% of the respondents think that delivering all course materials online is feasible
• 27.4% of the respondents think that delivering the course materials online is only partially feasible
• 6.4% of the respondents are sure that NOT every course and material can be delivered online 
• 22.5% of the respondents were more prone to deliver their courses offline rather than online
• 7% of the respondents thought that online courses work better for them than offline courses
• 70.5% of all respondents preferred the hybrid approach, and they delivered both online and offline courses depending on the circumstances
• 50% of course creators who prefer online course delivery over offline implement practical course delivery methods
• 50% of course creators who prefer the hybrid approach pay attention both theory and practice when designing their courses
• 33.3% of respondents prefer to deliver their courses offline, though they think that delivering all the materials online is completely possible
• 34% of course creators who are prone to offline think it is only partially possible to deliver their materials online
• 100% of course creators who prefer the online course approach are completely sure their materials are well-delivered online
• 75% of creators who are prone to the hybrid approach think that delivering their course materials online is completely feasible
• 17% of course creators who prefer the hybrid method think that it is only partially possible to deliver all their course materials online 

In terms of delivery methods, the hybrid approach is the most popular, allowing creators to adapt to both online and offline needs. You do not have to stick to one side if you do not feel like it. 

Course materials used 

• 80% of course creators use tasks as part of their curriculum alongside other materials
• 26% of all respondents focus on delivering lectures as part of their main course material alongside other materials
• 58% of course creators who participated in the survey rely on presentation slides to deliver their courses 
• 72.5% of participants hold active discussions when delivering the course alongside other activities
• 68% of course creators implement evaluation and feedback for their online courses 

As seen above, most course creators use a mix of tasks, discussions, presentations, and evaluations to engage learners and deliver content effectively. This combination of materials shows a clear focus on active learning and continuous feedback.

Course selling channel statistics

Course creators who took part in our survey use a variety of channels to market their courses, with many opting for a mix of social media platforms. A notable portion of creators use both Instagram and Facebook together, along with other marketing tools, to reach a wider audience. 

However, Facebook remains the preferred platform for some, especially those who rely solely on it for course promotion.

Additionally, many creators turn to their own websites as the primary sales channel, often combined with social media marketing.

Others prefer offering their courses in teaching centers alongside promoting their own sites.

• 21% of course creators use both Instagram and Facebook alongside other channels to market their courses
• 19% of course creators rely on Facebook to sell their courses and prefer it over Instagram
• 15% of course creator use their own website as a main way to sell their courses alongside social media channels
• 45% of course creators choose to offer training in teaching centers besides promoting their own courses on their websites 

Course creation team statistics 

The majority of course creators work with a team to help with various aspects of course creation, delivery, and sales, though a significant portion still operates solo. Those working in teams often require additional specialists, particularly in marketing and sales, with many acknowledging a gap in expertise in these areas.

On the other hand, solo creators face similar challenges, needing support in marketing, sales, and customer service. 

• 45% of the respondents are solo course creators
• 55% of the respondents have a team to help them create, deliver and sell courses
• 31% of course creators who work in a team have at least two other team members
• 66% of course creators who have a team still need a marketing specialist
• 57% of course creators who work in a team are in need of a sales specialist
• 19% of course creators need a designer to join their team
• 25% of course creators who have their own website also need a designer to join their team
• 25% of course creators who run their business alone need a sales specialist
• 50% of course creators who run their businesses alone need a marketing specialist
• 17% of course creators who do not have a team need a customer service specialist

What does all this mean for you? 

Let’s now put the numbers aside and see what some best practices you can implement for yourself today to make your online course business even more successful. 

To do so, you need to answer the following questions:

• Who is handling your marketing?

Do you have a strong marketing strategy, or is it a weak spot? If you are not confident in your marketing skills, it is time to either develop them or bring in a specialist. Marketing is the backbone of getting your courses out to the right audience, and ignoring it could hold you back from reaching your potential.

Read more: How to Create an Online School Marketing Strategy + Templates

• Are you relying on only one channel? 

Think about your sales channels. Are you only using social media like Facebook and Instagram? If so, you might be limiting yourself. Consider creating a website to showcase your courses and build a more sustainable business. Your website makes you look professional, helps to build credibility and provides a wider reach. 

Read more: 25 Tips To Market Online Courses You Should Never Miss Out  
 

• Practical versus theoretical. What works best?

Learners appreciate the value they can apply immediately. While theory is necessary, balancing it with practical insights will make your courses stand out. Focus on actionable knowledge, and you will see your engagement levels rise. 

Read more: How to Design Course Content: Your Guide to Make it Efficient

• Have you explored the hybrid approach?

Combining online and offline course delivery is the future. It gives your learners flexibility while maintaining a personal connection. This approach also allows you to adapt to different learning styles and preferences. This way, you give your audience the best of both worlds.

Read more: Blended Learning: Definition, Characteristics, Models

• Is your team covering all the bases?

If you are working solo, consider outsourcing tasks that take too much time or require expertise you do not have. If you have a team, evaluate whether you need specialists in areas like marketing, sales, or design. A strong team is an investment in your success. 

Read more: How to Start an Online School | Your 7-Step Guide & Essentials

• Are you keeping your materials engaging?

A course packed with assignments, slides, and discussions keeps learners interested. Mixing up your materials ensures they stay engaged and retain the knowledge you are delivering. It is all about creating an experience that resonates.

Read more: 13 Strategies to Boost Student Engagement in Online Learning 

This research is not the only one that proves the eLearning industry is thriving. But it proves one more time that success comes down to blending strategy, skills, and adaptability. We hope the questions and insight outlined above help you identify your next steps, whether it is building a team, refining your marketing, or incorporating new methods.

If you are ready to take your course creation business to the next level, Uteach is here to help. Book a call with our expert today and let us support you in implementing these strategies and growing your business.