All the admissions talk and building more BYU schools got me thinking about the benefit of the church run online programs.

It would be far too expensive to build the necessary capacity to meet the demand for LDS oriented college education so I can see why the online programs would seem like a good solution. But in essence, are they worth it versus going to brick and mortar school? I just can't see how an online program really provides the BYU experience.

To me the true purpose of BYU is three fold:

1-Place LDS students in close proximity to one another for social/religious purposes
2-Provide leadership training in student wards
3-Provide a quality education at the same time

An online program just doesn't accomplish any of that. So why not encourage students to go to an alternate schools instead and try and participate in institute if is available? Is expanding the online programs too far a waste of money?