HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Zan Dick's been studying counseling at Marshall University, but he's learned a lot about economics this year. Gas is more than $4 a gallon, and Dick lives in Hamlin, W.Va., roughly a 45-minute drive to the MU campus.

One way to ease the pain at the pump was taking an online course,
Dick said.

"The gas was a lot easier on me because I didn't have to come," he said. "I could just work from the house. I didn't have to go anywhere."

A boost in online enrollment is a trend being seen from coast to coast.
The director of Marshall's program is Dr. Monica Brooks. She said Marshall doesn't break down the numbers as to why, but the indicators are all in place.

"This is a logical progression," Brooks said. "If you're living an hour a way, gas is a serious consideration when you're trying to figure out how much your going to spend for your education."

Marshall University's online course registration has grown every year since the late 1990s. This year alone, it has jumped 9 percent.

Stats provided by the university show:
Number of online classes scheduled for fall 2008 = 183
Number of students currently enrolled in online classes for
Fall 2008 = 3,766

Almost 10 years ago:
Number of online classes that were scheduled for fall 1999 = 32
Number of students who were enrolled in online classes
in Fall 1999 = 388

Quick facts:
Close to 100 percent increase in enrollment since 1999
Over 170 percent increase in average number of online classes
offered since 1999
MU's numbers for last year were 11,913.