I'm with Dianne: depends upon the type of class AND why I'm taking it. For instance, I love Craftsy's elearning set up because the topic is as good or better (because I can stop and review whenever) than a hands on quilting class, for instance.
However, if the networking aspect is as important as the content in taking an online course, then distance learning needs help if it does not include a meet up of students and teacher. There's no hanging around for coffee after Johns Hopkins online epidemiology courses...which turned out to be a huge disappointment. I had to schedule around awkward times of live lectures, sign in, and then find that the speakers never allowed enough time for adequate Q&A (or lost half an hour trying to get everyone's sound working!).
Since many schools are now cashing in on this very cost effective (for them) income stream, there are a lot of courses that in my opinion are just not worth the money. Especially if all they do is tell you which part of the book to read and write a paper on. You can do that without paying them, so you have to weigh whether it is more important to just broaden your background info, or to pay for a paper credential!
That said, the field is expanding and developing at light speed, and there are innovative and creative changes happening by the minute. Before spending the money, check on how much interaction you will have (or want) with the teacher(s) as well as fellow students. I love that I can access my Craftsy quilting classes whenever I want to (like at 2 am when menopause has left me wide awake!) because they aren't 'live' lectures. There is even Q&A in real time (others who are also up at that hour, LOL) long after the teacher is no longer monitoring, because other students take time to share.
I love being able to take classes or attend lectures (on just about anything I want) with my computer! I love the flexibility and the chance to keep learning without having to spend hours a semester just looking for a parking space, LOL.