It is interesting to see the development of the online university as a learning tool. Just a few years ago, they were not able to have so much significance, but as the whole internet has moved forward, then with it has moved this aspect. The simple fact is that people are globally more accepting of the communication possibilities of technological advances.
Certainly for those living in a rural setting, the online university is a useful alternative to having the added expense of moving away from home while you learn.
The big shift, I think, has been the capability of some of the better online universities, such as Western Governors University, which has been featured on national TV, to obtain accreditation from recognized official commissions and councils. When you look at the website of WGU, you might be able to see why there has been, and continues to be, the media interest.
They are building on a solid reputation, just as any learning institution does. And they are moving forward to be a world leader in online education. They deserve the status that they have worked to achieve.