Higher Ed. Dive
June 14, 2022 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success
Higher education investments in technology doubled in 2021 vs. 2020, marking the largest annual increase over the past decade. Currently, many institutions’ student systems are outdated and lack modern tools and features. The investment growth stems from pent up demand caused by the pandemic.
Higher Ed. Dive
June 07, 2022 Enrollment Management Trends
The median college received $13.2 million in government relief funding over the course of the pandemic, according to a report from S&P Global Ratings. While almost all colleges received public relief money, it was more important for those with low bond ratings — the colleges under the most financial pressure. That’s notable because the bulk of the funding is now ending, increasing colleges’ exposure to market stresses such as inflation and declining enrollment.
Inside Higher Ed
May 09, 2022 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Transfer student enrollment rates decreased by 6.9 percent over last year, and combined with the previous year, total transfer enrollment has declined by about 16 percent since the start of the pandemic. A decline in enrollment is a threat to upward mobility for student populations, though it does provide an opportunity for institutions to make a concerted effort to fix the transfer system.
Higher Ed. Dive
April 28, 2022 Enrollment Management Trends, Value and Affordability
About 9% fewer students completed FAFSA forms as of the end of March compared to the same point last year. This was driven by a decline in FAFSA renewals as the share of new FAFSA filers rose. Completions among already enrolled students fell by 12% from last year. The new data means colleges should expect fewer students to enroll for the 2022-23 academic year.
Higher Ed. Dive
April 12, 2022 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Students at the University of Missouri who did not submit admissions tests scores for fall 2021 earned slightly lower GPAs in the first semester compared to their peers who did. However, both groups had similar retention rates. Many test-optional and test-free policies remain in effect across institutions. More than 1,800 colleges and universities are not mandating exam score submission for fall 2022 applicants.
The Washington Post
April 08, 2022 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Prominent U.S. institutions report a surge in international applications over the past two years. This is fueled by the easing pandemic travel restrictions, test-optional policies, and pent-up demand. The Common Application found a 34 percent increase in international student applications since 2020, vs. a 12 percent rate of growth for U.S. applicants.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
April 04, 2022 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
As colleges try to address declining enrollment rates, many are targeting students who left college without earning a degree. The majority of these students are adult learners and consequently have different needs than traditional college students. While the re-enrollment efforts are still in the early stages, one overarching theme is that these students need support, and institutions need to look for creative ways to provide it.
Higher Ed. Dive
April 04, 2022 Enrollment Management Trends, Value and Affordability
Free college’s momentum shifted from the federal level to state and local programs. Numerous initiatives covering tuition and other educational expenses have been proposed and enacted in recent months. There are about 350 state and local “promise programs”, compared with about 53 six years ago. Rutgers–New Brunswick recently launched the Scarlet Guarantee, a program to make tuition free for students with household incomes under $65,000 and decrease tuition costs for those with an income under $100,000.
Higher Ed. Dive
March 28, 2022 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
About three-fourths of the National Association for College Admission Counseling members are White. Less than half of college undergraduates and public high school students are White, suggesting a need for more diversity in admissions. A recent report offers ideas for bolstering diversity, inclusion and equity training throughout colleges and for recruiting.
Inside Higher Ed
March 21, 2022 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Current admissions and enrollment decision-making involve common-sense thinking regarding location, price, and flexibility. Students at four-year institutions’ top responses for college choice include major or program of interest offered, strong academic reputation, proximity to home, quality of academics in the area of interest, price of tuition, and financial aid package/scholarships. Students at community colleges overwhelmingly chose based on proximity to home and cost.