DEVELOPMENT OF DISTANCE LEARNING: ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY FOR THE STATE AND UNIVERSITIES

Distance learning has become a key direction in the transformation of higher education, capable of simultaneously increasing accessibility and reducing the cost per educational outcome. Modern digital platforms and remote teaching methods provide opportunities for expanding student cohorts without proportional increases in operational costs, capital expenditures, and personnel. This article explores the economic advantages of the distance learning format for universities and the state, including reduced infrastructure expenses, scalable educational programs, lower educational credit costs, and increased system resilience under external shocks. Institutional limitations and conditions for effective implementation are also analyzed. A comprehensive approach to economic evaluation of digital education initiatives is justified, considering strategic national education goals.