[jonathanjaeger]

True, that's a nice number. But you have to keep in mind many of these startups, while doing something noble, still need to make a big business (often they're VC-backed). Increasing retention rates is essential for business and for making online education viable. I'm not sure if 5% retention makes the model work or if you need >10%.

[queensnake]

Also, their mindshare: "We're changing the world, 100K under-served people signed up!" vs, 5K who finish and most have at least a Master's already anyway :)