Education at a Glance

November 8, 2006 (Press Release) -- The annual study called "Education at a Glance" is released annually by the Paris-based organization, which compares how industrialized nations perform academically and what results economically. And, in the U.S., dropping out of high school has a steep cost. According to the report, adults who don't finish high school in the U.S. earn 65 percent of what people who have high school degrees earn. It was the biggest gap in any of the surveyed countries.

The report underscores the absolute need for obtaining a degree or diploma, which is being done with more frequency through Internet programs like Online Degree Direct. A private company, Online Degree Direct (online-degree-direct.com) is a one-stop shop for adults looking to further their education. Online Degree Direct is committed to maintaining strict objectivity in its opinions and information regarding a database of more than 60 schools.

"Every survey and just plain common sense tells us that a degree is extremely important, especially in today's global economy," said Ryan Russell, spokesman for Online Degree Direct. "The U.S. is losing ground as other countries are getting a foothold in the ranks of education. Online Degree Direct is a convenient and economical pathway for those who want to improve their lives and opportunities."

The most recent statistics report that enrollment for online education in the U.S. is at about 3 million and growing. Online Degree Direct is a portal that links students with the top instructors and institutions. ODD constantly monitors each online degree program, ensuring that it meets industry standards and is an accredited online school, not a "diploma mill." These mills offer diplomas from bogus universities that hand out degrees after little or no academic work. The fraud has become so lucrative on the Internet that it has prompted a federal investigation.

What Online Degree Direct offers adults is access to an educational opportunity they otherwise may not have. Online education allows working adults and those with families to study at home, without the burden of commuting or the stress of overcrowded classes. The cost to attend an online university is significantly lower than the thousands and sometimes tens of thousands of dollars paid for a campus-based education.

"Employers in today's economy know that some of their most valuable employees are those with online degrees," said Russell. "With today's hurried lifestyles, people are demanding access to higher education, and that's exactly what Online Degree Direct provides."