2. Also in the BestColleges analysis is the growing number of students seeking postsecondary credentials but opting for non-college routes. “There are plenty of cheaper and faster options than the traditional college route,” the analysis notes. “Google itself offers six-month certificate programs leading to in-demand jobs. So do IBM and Meta. Coding bootcamps also have emerged as a viable alternative to college.”
3. While recruitment and enrollment are important, student retention is an equally important factor, according to research from Mongoose. Many institutions tend to focus more on enrolling high school graduates when grappling with falling enrollment. “It will always be important to have a strong number of incoming freshmen, but retaining the current students you already have is just as important,” the analysis notes. “It costs less to keep current students engaged and enrolled at your institution than it does to recruit prospective students. The students attending your institution are already connected. Engaging current students and making sure they’re supported will increase retention, which can only improve your institution’s net-revenue.”
4. An Ellucian analysis notes that lack of early and personalized engagement may be a contributing factor to a drop in enrollments. “As many students consider more affordable options or delay higher education, underserved students with limited college prep resources are abandoning the prospect of attending college at much higher rates,” according to Ellucian’s insight. “However, research shows that students who experience early engagement as early as 9th and 10th grade are twice as likely to apply to college.”
5. Ensuring flexibility and different learning modalities may be one way to sustain enrollment and retention even as the number of college-going students falls. Students are more and more used to online learning options, and offering this flexibility can help institutions remain competitive, Synario notes.
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