Journal of Education and Human Development

Digital Divide or Digital Bridge? Analyzing the Impact of Online Education on Career Outcomes and Professional Success Among Bachelor's Degree Recipients
Osasohan Agbonlahor

Abstract
This study examines long-term career implications of online versus traditional education using nationally representative data from the Baccalaureate and Beyond Longitudinal Study (B&B:08/18). Drawing from a sample of 6,480 bachelor's degree recipients, the research investigates multiple dimensions of career quality, including employment duration, income, job satisfaction, and education-job match. Online program graduates demonstrated greater employment stability, spending approximately 7.1% more time employed over the ten-year period than traditional graduates. However, they earned modestly less, with an adjusted income gap of 3.9% after controlling for demographic factors, field of study, and geographic location. Despite this income differential, online and traditional graduates reported nearly identical job satisfaction levels. Regarding education-job match, online graduates showed no significant difference in the likelihood of holding jobs requiring a bachelor's degree, but were significantly more likely to work in jobs related to their field of study. Results suggest online education serves as a “digital bridge” for employment stability and field- relevant work despite modest income disadvantages.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jehd.v14p5