25 Continuing Education Statistics and Trends for 2026
Continuing education (CE) has evolved from occasional professional development into a global, technology-driven industry. The market is expanding rapidly, digital delivery is reshaping professional development, and ongoing training is now embedded in modern careers.
Continuing education courses can help clinicians, counselors, and other mental health professionals spot harmful patterns, use interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and support clients with strategies tailored to the unique challenges and consequences of this behavior.
We’ve compiled 25 continuing education statistics that provide insights into market growth, professional demand, digital adoption, and workforce training trends shaping continuing education today.
Continuing Education Statistics – Market Size & Growth
1. The global online education market is projected to reach $221.7 billion in 2026
Revenue is projected to grow at a 6.86% CAGR between 2026 and 2030, reaching approximately $289.14 billion by 2030.
This growth reflects continued expansion in academic, professional, and skills-based digital learning.
Source: Statista.
2. The U.S. continuing education market was valued at $66.9 billion and projected to reach $95.9 billion by 2030
The U.S. continuing education market was valued at $66.91 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $95.98 billion by 2030, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%.
Growth is driven by increased demand for workforce upskilling, mandatory licensing requirements in regulated industries, and expansion of hybrid and digital delivery models.
Source: Arizton.
3. The United States is expected to generate $111.7 billion in online education revenue
In global comparison, the United States is projected to generate the highest online education revenue, reaching $111.72 billion in 2026.
This underscores the U.S. as the dominant market for online professional development, certification programs, and continuing education.
Source: Research.com.
4. The online education market is expected to reach 1.2 billion users by 2030
The number of users in the online education market is projected to reach 1.2 billion globally by 2030.
User penetration is expected to reach 16.8% in 2026, reflecting continued normalization of digital learning across adult and professional populations.
Source: Statista.
5. 66% of Americans are aware of online learning services, but only 20% report using them
In the United States, two-thirds of adults report being aware of online learning services, while only one in five report actively using them.
Source: Statista.
6. Average revenue per user (ARPU) is projected at $223.94
In 2026, the average revenue per user (ARPU) in the online education market is expected to total approximately $223.94, highlighting sustained consumer and professional investment in digital learning programs.
Source: Statista.
7. North America generates nearly $100 billion in e-learning revenue
Regional revenue distribution shows significant variation across global markets:
- North America: $99.84 billion
- Asia: $64.90 billion
- Middle East: $33.87 billion
- Europe: $21.34 billion
- South America: $3.64 billion
While North America remains the largest single regional market, emerging regions such as the Middle East and South America are experiencing strong projected growth rates.
These regional differences reflect varying levels of digital infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and workforce training demand.
Source: Wooclap.
U.S. Continuing Education Market Structure
8. Classroom learning accounts for over 41% of the U.S. CE market
Despite rapid growth in digital formats, classroom-based continuing education still represents roughly two-fifths of total U.S. market share.
While online learning adoption continues to expand, in-person instruction remains common in many licensed professions and regulated industries.
Source: Arizton.
Graduate & Professional Education Trends
While continuing education primarily serves working professionals, graduate-level online enrollment provides insight into long-term structural shifts in education delivery.
9. 42% of graduate students study fully online
Nearly half of graduate students now study fully online, a figure projected to rise to 55% by 2030.
This signals continued normalization of online formats, including CE webinars and professional certification programs.
Source: Research.com.
10. 2.5 million graduate students are enrolled exclusively in distance education
In the 2023-2024 academic year, approximately 2.5 million graduate students participated exclusively in remote education programs.
Online delivery is no longer supplemental. It is central to advanced and professional learning.
Source: Research.com.
Workforce & Professional Development Demand
Continuing education demand is increasingly driven by workforce upskilling and career mobility.
11. 72% of working adults want training to future-proof their skills
Nearly three in four employees report wanting additional training to ensure their skills remain relevant in a changing job market.
This demand fuels growth in certification programs, CE webinars, and short-form professional courses.
Source: Research.com.
12. Midsize companies provide the most annual training hours per employee
Training investment varies by organization size:
- Midsize companies: 53 hours per employee annually
- Large companies: 43 hours annually
- Small companies: 42 hours annually
Spending patterns differ:
- Small companies: $1,047 per employee
- Midsize companies: $739 per employee
- Large companies: $398 per employee
This suggests smaller firms may invest more per learner even if structured hours are limited.
Source: Research.com.
13. Accountants represent the fastest-growing CE profession segment (7.44% CAGR)
Among major licensed professions, accounting shows the fastest projected growth in continuing education demand, with a CAGR of 7.44% through 2030.
With approximately 671,855 actively licensed CPAs in the United States as of 2024, mandatory continuing professional education (CPE) requirements significantly drive recurring demand in this segment.
Source: Arizton.
14. Healthcare and life sciences accounted for 27.6% of continuing education market revenue in 2025
This makes healthcare one of the largest professional segments in the industry. Licensure requirements, rapid clinical innovation, and ongoing regulatory updates continue to drive strong demand for continuing education among healthcare professionals.
Source: Mordor Intelligence.
Credentials, Certificates & Career Outcomes
Continuing education increasingly overlaps with certificate programs and micro-credentials.
15. 51% of institutions offer micro-credentials
More than half of higher education institutions now offer micro-credentials. Additionally:
- 75% of students prefer programs that accept micro-credentials.
- 68% of institutions not currently offering them plan to adopt them by 2031.
Micro-credentials are becoming integrated into professional development pathways.
Source: Research.com.
16. 87% of certificate earners report career benefits
Among entry-level certificate earners:
- 25% secured new jobs.
- 41% experienced tangible career outcomes such as raises, interviews, degree advancement.
- 82% reported improvements in work performance, confidence, or job-related knowledge.
These outcomes reinforce the value proposition of continuing education programs tied to skills and credentials.
Source: Research.com.
Learner Behavior & Digital Preferences
Format flexibility and mobile access significantly influence CE participation.
17. The mobile learning market is projected to grow at a 26% CAGR
Between 2023 and 2028, the mobile learning segment is projected to grow at approximately 26.4% annually, reflecting demand for flexible, on-demand continuing education formats.
Source: Research.com.
Perceptions of Online Learning Quality
Professional acceptance of online learning has shifted significantly.
18. 88% of students believe employers value online degrees equally or more than in-person degrees
Perception of legitimacy has improved, supporting broader adoption of online continuing education and certification programs.
Source: Research.com.
19. 90% of online students say online education is equal to or better than classroom learning
Learner satisfaction and perceived quality remain high among online students, reinforcing continued demand for digital CE formats.
Source: Research.com.
Corporate & Institutional Adoption of Learning Technology
Organizations increasingly rely on digital platforms to deliver continuing education and training.
20. 90% of companies use learning management systems (LMS)
Corporate learning technology adoption rates include:
- LMS platforms: 90%
- Virtual classrooms/webcasting: 79%
- Mobile learning apps: 33%
- AI tools: 25%
- VR: 7%
- AR: 4%
Digital infrastructure now underpins most professional training programs.
Source: Research.com.
21. 38% of companies increased training budgets due to new technology
As organizations adopt emerging tools for employee development, more than one-third report increasing training budgets to support these initiatives.
Source: Research.com.
22. Educational institutions hold the largest share of the U.S. CE provider market
Colleges and universities still account for the largest share of the U.S. continuing education provider market.
However, educational companies and online platforms are rapidly expanding, offering industry-specific certifications.
Source: Arizton.
Adult & Continuing Education Program Data & Demographics
23. 922 Adult & Continuing Education degrees were awarded in 2023 (down 6.6%)
Despite growing demand for workforce training and professional development, the formal academic pipeline preparing adult education specialists remains relatively small.
Source: Data USA.
24. 71% of students in Adult & Continuing Education have a master’s degree, making it the most common credentialÂ
Master’s degrees are followed by research doctorates (13.8%) and postbaccalaureate certificates (11.8%).
This reflects the advanced academic level typically associated with adult learning, workforce training, and continuing professional education.
Source: Data USA.
25. Over 70% of Adult & Continuing Education degree holders are female
Women account for 70.2% of degrees awarded in Adult & Continuing Education programs, across the five institutions that graduate the most students in that category.
This demographic alignment mirrors broader trends in fields such as counseling, social work, and psychology, where continuing education is required for licensure.
Source: Data USA.
What These Continuing Education Statistics Reveal
These continuing education statistics point to several strategic implications for professionals, employers, and CE providers:
- Continuing education is no longer optional in many industries. Market growth and regulatory requirements show that CE has become embedded in licensed professions, particularly in healthcare and other compliance-driven fields.
- Online delivery is now the default, not the alternative. With nearly half of graduate students studying fully online and billions of global users projected, digital-first learning models are the new standard.
- Workforce anxiety is fueling demand. When 72% of working adults want training to future-proof their skills, CE becomes a tool for career security, not just credential maintenance.
- Short, skills-based formats are gaining ground. Micro-credentials and certificate programs reflect a shift away from long academic pathways toward targeted competencies with practical applications.
- Employers are investing in structured learning ecosystems. Widespread LMS adoption and increased training budgets signal institutional commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Cost and flexibility remain decisive factors. Growth in mobile learning and steady consumer spending indicate professionals prioritize accessible learning experiences they can complete at their own pace.
Overall, continuing education is evolving into a scalable, technology-enabled system designed to support lifelong learning, stronger decision-making, and measurable real-world performance outcomes.
How eCare Behavioral Health Institute Can Help
Understanding these continuing education statistics is essential for making informed decisions about professional growth, accreditation requirements, and long-term competencies. This is especially true in healthcare and behavioral health fields where licensing standards continue to evolve.
At eCare Behavioral Health Institute, we provide expert-led, CE-approved online continuing education courses designed specifically for mental health professionals, counselors, clinicians, and social workers. Our coursework focuses on real-world problem-solving, evidence-based methodology, and practical applications that support stronger clinical decision-making.
All courses are delivered through flexible, on-demand webinars, allowing you to learn at your own pace while balancing client care and professional responsibilities. Whether you are maintaining licensure, expanding your competencies, or investing in lifelong learning, our accredited learning experiences are built to meet modern professional standards.
Continuing Education Statistics – FAQs
How important is continuing education?
For licensed mental health professionals, social workers, counselors, and other healthcare providers, continuing education is not optional; it is required for license renewal and ongoing accreditation.
Beyond compliance, CE ensures clinicians maintain up-to-date competencies in assessment, diagnosis, ethics, and evidence-based treatment methodology. In fast-evolving areas like trauma, addiction, and behavioral health — including topics such as personality disorder symptoms and trauma-informed care — continuing education directly impacts clinical decision-making and quality of care.
What are the benefits of online learning?
Online CE courses allow clinicians to complete required hours at their own pace without interrupting client schedules. Pre-recorded webinars provide flexible learning experiences that fit around full caseloads, supervision responsibilities, and administrative demands.
Digital CE formats also make it easier to access specialized coursework — such as pornography addiction treatment or telehealth ethics for mental health professionals — that may not be available locally.
What is the main purpose of continuing education?
The primary purpose of continuing education in behavioral healthcare is to maintain licensure while strengthening real-world clinical competencies. CE supports improved assessment skills, ethical decision-making, treatment planning, and problem-solving in complex cases. It ensures practitioners remain aligned with evolving standards of care and best practices.
What are three benefits of taking CE?
For clinicians and behavioral health providers, three major benefits include:
- Meeting state licensure and accreditation requirements
- Improving practical applications in therapy sessions and case management
- Strengthening specialized expertise in high-demand treatment areas such as trauma therapy and addiction counseling
Who needs continuing education?
Continuing education is typically required for licensed professionals in healthcare fields, including counselors, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and other behavioral health providers.
Many states mandate a specific number of CE hours per renewal cycle, particularly in ethics, cultural competency, suicide prevention, and emerging clinical issues.
How much does continuing education cost?
Costs vary depending on format and provider. University-based programs may involve higher tuition, while short-form, a la carte online continuing education courses are often more cost-effective. Many clinicians prefer purchasing individual webinars focused on targeted treatment topics rather than enrolling in long academic programs.
At eCare, paid courses currently start at $20 and can cost up to $495, depending on the topic and number of CE credits offered. Most of our courses range between $59 and $79.
How do you enroll in CE courses?
Most accredited CE providers allow professionals to register directly through their website. Clinicians can select relevant topics, complete coursework immediately, and download certificates upon completion, making it easier to stay compliant while maintaining a full practice.
