What is known about the cost effectiveness of interactive courseware (ICW) is reviewed, and issues that remain are summarized. Effect size is used for reporting the effectiveness of ICW programs. Two ICW media are considered: computer-based instruction and interactive videodisc instruction. Effect sizes for computer-based instruction have been found to be 0.47 standard deviation (SD) over 28 evaluation studies performed in elementary schools, 0.40 SD for 42 studies in secondary schools, 0.26 SD for 101 studies in colleges, and 0.42 SD over 24 studies in adult education settings. Effect sizes for interactive videodiscs have been found to be 0.69 over 14 studies in colleges, 0.51 over 9 studies in industrial training, and 0.39 over 24 studies in military training. Across many instructional settings and subject matters, ICW programs have been found to be more effective than conventional instructional programs. Favorable cost ratios have been found for ICW programs across many settings and subject matters, but data for a conclusive case for ICW programs remain limited and incomplete. There are promising results for ICW costs and effectiveness data considered separately, but conclusive evidence awaits more complete study. Five tables report study findings. (Contains 43 references.) (SLD)