OBJECTIVES: Teaching of discrete event simulation (DES) online has provided an opportunity to evaluate the costs and effectiveness of this form of education through the internet. METHODS: A distance learning course was developed to provide a basic understanding of DES. It was designed so that students could approach the course at their own pace and navigate the curriculum according to personal interest and experience. The learning system was deployed over the internet, making DES training available worldwide to anyone possessing a computer, a standard web browser, and an internet connection. Students were interviewed immediately after course completion, and 3 months after course completion to gauge effectiveness. Cost data was evaluated in terms of course development costs, training costs, and cost to students. RESULTS: Students completed the curriculum 50% faster than the traditional in-person course. In addition, each student interviewed indicated that the level of educational effectiveness was on par with or greater than previously received in-person DES training. This effectiveness translated into greater content retention and higher motivation to learn. A study review revealed that return on investment for corporate online training approaches 30% in the first 2 years of deployment and more than 100 percent after 4-years. For both DES professionals engaged in training, and students, travel and accommodation costs were reduced to zero, while costs due to lost workdays were reduced by 50% for students and 100% for DES professionals. CONCLUSION: The capability to lower training budgets for DES education removes a significant barrier to the diffusion of this modeling technique. The savings in both cost and resources allows knowledgeable DES professionals to invest in the creation of online courses without the expense and difficulty of scheduling teaching sessions.