The 2026 BOnES provides an in-depth update on national trends shaping the governance and financial models of digital learning enterprises across higher education. Many of the trends identified in the benchmarking study align closely with the Hallmarks of Excellence in Digital Learning Enterprises, a framework recently released by UPCEA describing the leadership, governance, and organizational conditions needed to sustain digital learning as institutional infrastructure. Taken together, the findings point to a new phase in the evolution of digital learning enterprises—one in which governance, financial alignment, and organizational capacity are becoming as important as enrollment growth.
As institutions increase investments in digital learning enterprises, expand staffing, diversify program portfolios, and begin integrating AI into operations, the 2026 BOnES report provides an essential benchmarking resource for leaders navigating an increasingly competitive and financially constrained environment.
Emerging Strategic Themes
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- Digital learning has become institutional infrastructure—not a peripheral activity.
Rather than operating as isolated support units, online enterprises are increasingly accountable for operations that influence or contribute to institutional strategy, enrollment management, academic portfolio decisions, technology investments, learner success initiatives, and workforce partnerships.
- Digital learning has become institutional infrastructure—not a peripheral activity.
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- Organizational models remain contextually diverse, but a clear administrative pattern is emerging
More online enterprises now sit within the provost's office than at any point in the survey's history, suggesting that while academic structures vary, institutions are converging on where digital learning belongs in the administrative hierarchy.
- Organizational models remain contextually diverse, but a clear administrative pattern is emerging
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- Competition increasingly favors operational maturity rather than simply online availability.
Program quality, faculty expertise, brand reputation, learner services, and data-informed decision making have become stronger competitive differentiators than merely offering online programs.
- Competition increasingly favors operational maturity rather than simply online availability.
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- Financial sustainability is becoming as important as enrollment growth.
Institutional leaders seek organizational models that balance investment, operational efficiency, program innovation, and long-term sustainability rather than viewing online education solely as an enrollment strategy.
- Financial sustainability is becoming as important as enrollment growth.
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- Enterprise capabilities are expanding beyond degrees.
Online enterprises increasingly support microcredentials, certificates, workforce partnerships, stackable learning, and other non-degree credentials, suggesting that many institutions now view digital learning as the operational foundation for lifelong learning.
- Enterprise capabilities are expanding beyond degrees.
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Join the 2026 BOnES Findings Webinar
August 26, 2026 | 3:00 p.m. ET
Take a deeper dive into one of the report's most important findings: how online enterprises are funded and what institutions expect them to support. The study's lead authors will explore benchmarking data on financial models, budget structures, funding sources, and cost allocation, helping institutional leaders compare approaches and inform strategic decision-making.
Presenters: Bruce Etter, Senior Director of Research and Consulting, and Julie Uranis, Senior Vice President for Online and Strategic Initiatives, UPCEA