Challenges and Opportunities for Graduate Enrollment Professionals: Navigating a New Higher Education Environment

Top-of-Mind

Since the pandemic, graduate schools have seen a greater increase in enrollment than at the undergraduate level. This is especially true for public universities. However, private institutions have seen more of a decrease in enrollment.

When looking at different programs and what they have to offer, the hybrid model has seen the greatest jump. These particular programs have had an average increase of 52% since the pandemic began, giving students the best of both worlds. Graduate programs that are fully online have also seen this rise. Just slightly lower than hybrid programs, online programs have made an increase of 40%.

We can see the differences in private versus public and online or hybrid programs versus in-person. Online programs are typically less expensive at a public university over a private university. This not only benefits the public institutions, but also programs that provide online learning opportunities.

To see an increase in retention and enrollment, staff must be able to respond to inquiries. Applicants want to hear from the staff, and faculty, in a timely manner. If this is not done, then pursuing the applicant is not worth it.

It is also imperative that recruiters go where the students are. Find the students by getting to them. Don’t wait for them to come to you.

Takeaways

Continue to look at trends and be aware of what potential applicants are looking for. Ensure that staff and faculty are dedicated to creating a working communication flow that benefits the students. Get in front of the applicants and determine how you can make changes to programs in order to see an increase in numbers. n