Getty Images; photo collage NPR Emma Bittner considered getting a master’s degree in public health at a university near her home in Austin, Texas. But the in-person program cost tens of thousands of ...

Emma Bittner considered getting a master's degree in public health at a university near her home in Austin, Texas. But the in-person program cost tens of thousands of dollars more than she had hoped ...

The Hechinger Report covers one topic: education. Sign up for our newsletters to have stories delivered to your inbox. Consider becoming a member to support our nonprofit journalism. Emma Bittner ...

This year is the first time that more U.S. college students will learn entirely online compared to being fully in-person. And research shows most online programs cost as much or more than in-person.