The Challenge
A public, four-year liberal arts college faced a common problem: how to grow enrollment in a highly competitive market. Located in a region with both lower-cost public institutions and well-known private colleges, this institution needed to solidify its unique position and attract new students, especially at the graduate level. The college partnered with RNL to get a clear picture of its market and identify opportunities to align its academic programs with student and workforce needs.
Our Approach: A Comprehensive Market Analysis
To help the college navigate its challenges, RNL conducted a thorough Academic Program Demand Study. This process involved two key phases:
- Academic Program Environmental Scan: RNL performed a deep dive into institutional data, student demand, and labor market trends. This analysis provided a comprehensive view of which programs were in high demand, where the college stood in the market, and which areas had the most potential for growth.
- Academic Program Demand Survey: RNL surveyed prospective undergraduate and graduate students to quantify market demand and understand their perceptions of the college. This research helped us identify potential differentiators and pinpoint what students truly valued in their education, from career outcomes to course delivery.
Throughout the process, a dedicated RNL consultant worked side-by-side with the college, providing guidance, interpreting data, and helping them develop actionable strategies.
The Impact: A Clear Path to Growth
The results of the study were transformative. The college gained insights into what prospective students were looking for. For example, they discovered that graduate students were specifically interested in hybrid programs that combined online learning with intentional, intensive in-person sessions—an approach that cultivated stronger relationships with faculty and peers.
Once they had the data-informed results, the college took immediate action to:
- Reimagine current courses and programs to appeal to students in ways existing online programs did not allow for such in-person connections.
- Develop marketing messaging on areas identified by prospective students such as cost, pathways to careers, and internships.
- Use the survey data to inform institution-wide student support structures to enhance retention, spark initiatives to integrate undergraduate and graduate student recruiting operations, and facilitate efforts to emphasize career outcomes within academic programs.
Ready to Confidently Expand your Academic Programs?
Partner with RNL to get a clear picture of your market, align your programs with student demand, and develop a data-informed strategy for success. Schedule a call today to learn how RNL can help you grow enrollment in a competitive market.
Discover how RNL’s Academic Program Demand Analysis can provide the research-backed data and the confidence you need to make informed, strategic decisions for your institution’s future.