The COVID-19 pandemic caused the greatest disruption of learning in history with a universal
effect on learners and teachers all over the world. Aim: Compare distance and traditional learning
among university students during COVID-19. Methods: a comparative cross-sectional study was
implemented on 396 university nursing students at the faculties of nursing affiliated to Suez Canal
University and Beni- Suef University randomly through the academic year of 2020/2021. Data was
collected online using Two tools including 1): assessment sheet to assess the students' perception
toward distance and traditional learning, 2): questionnaire to assess obstacles with distance learning.
Results exposed statistically significant variances in the students' total perception toward traditional
and distance learning 53.46±12.21, 56.23±14.18 respectively, 41.9% of the students have moderate
perception level toward distance learning, 53.2% of the students have high perception level, and
61.1% of the studied students face a high level of obstacles. Conclusion: the highest positive
perception directed toward distance learning and traditional exam, and the priority obstacles faced
by the students during distance learning concerns the Learners' characteristics dimension.
Recommendation: a combination of both distance and traditional learning through the introduction
of exclusive training to the students and instructors.