In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education marketing, the digital revolution has propelled performance marketing to the forefront. The allure of immediate results, tangible metrics and the ability to track every click and conversion has made it an indispensable tool for institutions striving to increase enrollments. However, this relentless pursuit of short-term gains often comes at the expense of brand marketing, a critical component for long-term success. The 2024 Nielsen Annual Marketing Report reveals a concerning trend: despite recognizing the importance of brand building, 70% of ..read more

Modern prospective students are digital natives. They grew up immersed in technology, where instant access to information and personalized experiences are the norm. For them, the web is an extension of themselves, a seamless interface to the world. But this fluency comes with high expectations. Websites that are slow to load, lack clear navigation or are cluttered with irrelevant information are met with immediate frustration. In a world of endless choices, these future learners are quick to bounce, seeking the answers they need without the hassle. Their digital savviness and demand for effic ..read more

We are constantly focusing on the student experience, but what about the experience of our own team? Mentorship is a cornerstone of success for students and your student-facing staff such as enrollment counselors or admission representatives. A strong mentorship program doesn’t just benefit individual staff members, it strengthens your entire institution. Student-facing staff equipped with the skills and confidence to understand student needs can have meaningful conversations, guide students through the enrollment process, and make them feel supported every step of the way. That’s the power o ..read more

Why Private 4-Year Schools Are Closing  In recent years, the higher education landscape has witnessed a troubling trend: the increasing closure of private 4-year institutions. Let’s look over the past thirty years of official school closures across the higher education landscape, comparing public and private data from the beginning of the 1990s. Between 1990 and 2017, school closures of private universities held steady at an average of 6 schools per year. A fairly high number when you step back and realize how many institutions that represents. However, it is nothing to the past five year ..read more

What is Full-Funnel Marketing for Higher Education?  At its core, full-funnel marketing means investing in upper-funnel awareness and mid-funnel consideration strategies to drive lead generation efforts and investing in post-inquiry marketing to continue to nurture prospects into students.   While we like to think of the student journey as a linear process and clear path that every student follows, the reality is that every student journey is unique, and it rarely follows the exact path we proscribe. In spite of this reality, it is helpful to understand the stages of the journey that ..read more

What is the Enrollment Cliff in 2025? With 2025 right around the corner, we’ve all been hearing about and preparing for the “Enrollment Cliff”.  Over the past year, there have been a plethora of articles describing the upcoming shift, but these are focused on hand-wringing about potential challenges, without showing a full picture of why this is happening or any clear strategy for what comes next. At its core, the “Enrollment Cliff” phenomenon is driven by declining birth rates in the United States, leading to a reduced number of traditional college-aged students that will come into effec ..read more

The buzz was palpable at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel in February as hundreds of higher education marketing, enrollment management, and leadership professionals gathered for InsightsEDU 2024. This premier conference, dedicated solely to the success of career-ready learners in online programs, offered a dynamic forum for attendees to share best practices, exchange ideas, and gain invaluable insights to stay ahead of the ever-evolving landscape of higher education and workforce trends. For the dedicated professionals who guide and support career-focused adult learners, InsightsEDU prov ..read more

EducationDynamics released its 13th annual Online College Students Report in February 2024. This annual report, based on a survey of over 3,000 online colleges students, serves as a valuable resource for enrollment management professionals vested in enrolling and retaining adult students in online education. Here are four key takeaways for enrollment management professionals from the 2024 report:  1. Prospective students are considering fewer options.  79% of respondents are considering 1-3 schools. This contrasts with previous Online College Students reports where online students c ..read more

Understanding the Motivations and Needs of Online College Students Online college students aren’t taking chances with their education. They’re strategic planners, carefully researching programs, calculating costs and benefits, and seeking the perfect fit for their ambitions. These career-driven learners demand flexible options that seamlessly integrate with their busy lives. Understanding this shift in mindset is crucial for colleges and universities. EducationDynamics, a leader in higher education marketing, recognizes the strategic nature of modern students. Our annual Online College Student ..read more

Higher education marketing can feel like a constant battle for attention. Fewer potential students, global competition, and evolving needs make it tough to stand out. Rising costs and similar programs add fuel to the fire. But there’s good news! Aligning paid search (targeted ads) with organic search (free website traffic) can be your secret weapon. This powerful combo attracts the right students, stretches your marketing budget, and can increase website traffic and conversions. Think of it like this: paid search highlights your strengths, while organic search builds a welcoming landing page a ..read more