What Makes Online Degrees Popular Among India’s Gen Z Students? 

Did you know that 1 out of 4 Gen Zers (nearly 23%) regret going to college altogether?  

Just like shopping, nowadays, education has also taken a toll from chalkboards to dashboards. There was a time when higher education meant long queues for college admission, getting a knack for classroom schedules, planning life after that and so on. But Gen Zs have declined all this politely with a “No, thanks” because they have a different idea of experiencing college.   

Gen Zs are the ones who have grown up where they learned to swipe screens before they learnt cursive. So, the bar to convince them is very high. And as a blessing in disguise, during COVID-19, one thing that worked entirely in the world’s favor was the digitization of everything. When we mean everything, the National Education Policy 2020 ensured that even education marked its territory in the online digital space.   

So, it fell to our observation that most of the GenZs prefer online education. And with a bit of research, we have come across some interesting facts. This blog elucidates these with facts and also helps readers understand the online education style in India that Gen Zs prefer.   

Must read: The Psychology of Online Learning: What Makes It So Effective? 

The GenZ Behavior and How Online Education Favors It 

Have you ever wondered why Gen Zs want it all easy? There has been a lot of circulation that they are irresponsible, have short attention spans, expect instant results, aren’t hardworking, can’t handle criticism, and more. But before we blame them, maybe we should start looking at it from their perspective. Let’s break some stereotypes.  

The Short Attention Span Syndrome 

Being raised in the attention economy, Gen Zs have a real thing for cutting down irrelevant information and focusing on only what matters to them the most. To be frank, they are just selective feeders on information with a knack to engage deeply in what they value.  

How online education favors this: With microlearning, gamification, quizzes, short videos, and real-time feedback, online bachelor’s degree programs and others keep learners engaged. The lessons are designed in a modular form, making them brief and easy to revisit, which aligns with Gen Z’s attention patterns.   

The Joy of Instant Gratification 

If millennials are tech-savvy, then Gen Z is considered a tech-native generation. They don’t know a world without gadgets. But they have been in the midst of rapid cycles of startups booming overnight and viral frames. In this fast-evolving, dynamic world, there is nothing wrong with being efficient and immediate. And this cannot be mistaken for laziness.   

Also read: How is AI transforming data science careers? 

How online education favors this: The LMS used in this digitized educational era offers fast-tracked certification courses, real-time dashboards that display the learner’s progress, and quick feedback sessions. This gives Gen Zs an idea of their growth statistics and provides them with a hands–on goal. What better way to keep them hooked during the learning process than giving them the pleasure to measure it in progress bars?   

The ‘Not Hard-working Type” Tag 

Gen Zs can do it both – be efficient and distracting at the same time. When it comes to work, they are all in their ‘main character energy’ and hustling their way up. But the only difference is that they are replacing hard work with smart work. Going the extra mile is not in their strategy book because they would have already figured out the way, as they prefer results over rituals. They are way ahead and definitely would not fall for the grind culture.   

How online education favors this: Online education has mastered this, too. Gen Zers are efficiently driven, and the courses are structured to match that mindset. They offer self-paced schedules, recorded classes, flexible exams, and, to add zing, AI tutors and digital productivity tools. It is the same amount of effort to learn the concepts just with a new image.   

The Trend of Hopping Interests 

This has been a thing where Gen Zers have been always on the headlines. Most of the time they have been the hot potato of the workplace for job hopping, but this can be seen even in the educational sector. Gen Z isn’t fickle; they are just curious and exploratory. They want to discover what truly fits.  

How online education favors this: Enters NEP’s 2020 strategy with multiple entry-exit options and academic credit banks. By this reform, students can now switch specializations or stack courses from different universities. Further, this helps learners gain qualifications that align with their passions, enabling them to step onto the next stage of their lives.   

Also read: Impact of Gen Z behavior on higher education 

Too Sensitive to Receive Feedback 

Gen Zers have redefined the way they want to absorb new information. It is not that they are too sensitive or easily offended. They just want respectful and transparent feedback rather than top-down criticism. This is a sign of empathy and of expecting psychological safety in whichever environment they thrive.   

How online education favors this: Online platforms empower learners to choose mentors, compare universities, read reviews, and rate courses by putting control in their hands. They’re not rebellious; they’re just trying to be well-informed learners. 

Also read: The Future of Education: 6 Trends Shaping Online Learning in 2026 

NEP 2020: India’s Education System Rewrite 

With the rise of online education in India, several questions arise such as:  

• Is it accepted?  

• Do employers consider it?  

• Does it really add value to my resume?  

And many more… 

But before we get into conclusions, let us have a look at the table below as to how Gen Zs are getting the most out of it.  

NEP 2020 Reform	What It Means for Gen Z Students
Multiple exit & entry system	Flexibility to pause and resume education with a certificate/diploma/degree at each level
Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)	Earn credits from different universities or platforms
Push for online & digital learning	Legitimized online degrees offered by accredited universities
Multidisciplinary learning	Choose psychology + coding + marketing if you wish
Focus on skill-based learning	Less rote memorization, more real-world application

This reform is changing the course of higher education in India. This was also a clear indication that NEP 2020 didn’t just accept online education; it validated and empowered it. 

Give this a try: Higher Education Commission of India: Key Reforms 2025 

Why GenZs Prefer Online Education 

A few lines above, you read about how online education has accustomed to the Gen Zers needs. But those are not the only reasons why they prefer this remote learning approach. Have a look at the below grounds too.  

Online Education Cracked the Game of Flexibility and Accessibility 

• Chuck 8 am classes 

• Zero worries to run behind crowded busses 

• No worries of missed lectures 

Yes. Gen Zs don’t just dedicate their time to one thing. They are very clear about their priorities, but also keep a balance in life. As per a report from Deloitte, 94% of Gen Zers focus on work/life balance rather than climbing the corporate ladder. This suggests they place great importance on convenience. Zoomers are not the ones to spend a greater part of their day travelling to another part of the city to get their classes done. Hence, most of them choose online education for its flexibility and the concept of learning anytime, anywhere.   

Interesting read: How Online Manipal has empowered women by giving access to flexible & accessible online degrees 

The Rise of the “Work + Learn” Culture 

Traditional degrees thrive on the saying “Study first, experience later”. But this iGeneration has a way different modus operandi. Most of them are very interested in working but do not pause their studies. Time is their favorite currency, and they are like, ‘Why not work while studying?’ And the best option to do this? Online Education. This will give them the chance to   

• Have a flair to skills in real life.  

• Build a great network with industry leaders and peers 

• Try their hands –on freelance projects 

• Explore various side hustles (read YouTube, influencing, gaming stream and so on) 

This is a great time to build their portfolio while studying.  

Massive Cost Savings  

If you break down the college fees or put together an expenditure sheet, the total cost keeps shooting up. And the list keeps increasing. Traditional college degrees will include tuition fees, transportation fees, and hostel or PG fees, as per your choice of college. This can result in learners taking an EMI course, paying per semester, or choosing other options. But with the virtual learning setup, many miscellaneous fees are cut off, so they only need to worry about the tuition fee.   

Give this a try: Top Online Degree Programs in India Under ₹2 Lakhs 

Global Exposure: Learning Beyond Borders 

With no geographical constraints, learners can opt for online learning from any university in the world, provided it offers online classes. Accessibility has reached such a level that a student in Lucknow can be a student at Harvard, all while staying in the comfort of their home. Further, this also helps them get acquainted with learners, faculty, and industry leaders worldwide, strengthening their networking game.   

Career-Centric Learning Model 

An industry-relevant, skill-based curriculum perfectly matches Gen Z’s practical mindset. Unlike traditional degrees that focus heavily on theory, these programs emphasize real-world skills, hands-on learning, and tools used in today’s workplaces from data analytics to digital marketing and AI. This approach helps Gen Z students stay career-ready, adapt quickly to industry changes, and build portfolios that employers actually value. For a generation that learns by doing and wants visible results, this type of curriculum feels both relevant and rewarding. 

Also read: Difference between curriculum and syllabus 

What’s Next 

Online Manipal has been thriving in the online education space and is a pioneer in this field, with three universities, including the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Manipal University Jaipur and Sikkim Manipal University learners have been enrolled on courses aligning with their passions and interests. Gen Zs should grab this very opportunity because they get to fulfil their dreams along with being an alumnus of one of the strong and reputed educational groups.  

And at Online Manipal, there is a course for everyone.  

• Interested in Marketing – Online MBA in Marketing from MAHE 

• Looking to start a new business – Online PGCP in Entrepreneurship & Innovation from MAHE  

• Have a passion for being a data scientist – Online PGCP in Data Science from MAHE 

• Want to give a try in business administration – Online BBA Degree from MUJ 

• Want to expand your expertise in coding – Online MCA Degree from SMU 

This is just a small glance of the many courses that the various universities at Online Manipal. If looking to explore more options, please do visit our course page.  

References 

https://resumegenius.com/blog/career-advice/gen-z-career-prospects