Collaboration Among Colleges: A Path to Enhanced Student Retention and Financial Success

In a landscape where colleges and universities are grappling with declining enrollment numbers and increasing financial hurdles, a new white paper from Acadeum, titled If You Love Them, Let Them Go, sheds light on an innovative solution to boost student retention and institutional revenue through collaborative course-sharing strategies. This approach challenges conventional thinking and highlights the benefits of sending students to take courses at partner institutions, significantly easing the obstacles to degree completion.

As reported, U.S. undergraduate enrollment has seen a 15% decline since 2010, accompanied by a looming demographic cliff on the horizon. Acadeum's findings reveal a startling statistic: 57% of college students currently face barriers to timely graduation due to their home institution's inability to offer required courses at accessible times and formats. The introduction of course-sharing initiatives enables students to enroll in accredited courses from partner colleges, which count towards their graduation requirements, financial aid eligibility, and GPA. This is a crucial step in ensuring that students remain on track in their academic journeys.

The paper features compelling case studies from institutions like the University of Mount Union and Angelo State University.

At the University of Mount Union, innovative course-sharing practices have led to a substantial boost in summer enrollment, a time when many students traditionally transfer to other schools to continue their education. By adopting this collaborative model, Mount Union has successfully tripled its summer enrollment figures and quadrupled summer session revenue, generating nearly $1.1 million in the year 2024 alone. Bryan J. Boatright, the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Mount Union, proudly stated, "We went from being 20 years behind to being a leader in online education and course sharing." This transformation has invigorated the institution's faculty, demonstrating that partnerships with other colleges can lead to growth in unprecedented ways.

Meanwhile, Angelo State University has adopted a similar course-sharing structure as a sustainable model that not only benefits its students but also contributes to the institution's financial health. Findings indicate that 70% of students who engaged in course-sharing between 2021 and 2024 were initially off track for graduation. By implementing these practices, Angelo State successfully retained these students, resulting in an estimated additional tuition revenue of $2.85 million.

Melanie Gottlieb, Executive Director of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) and author of the paper's foreword, emphasizes the importance of collaboration in higher education. "In a time of shifting enrollment trends and financial pressures, the future of higher education lies in collaboration, not competition," she asserts. This collaboration not only promotes learning mobility by facilitating credit recognition but also significantly enhances opportunities for students to persist and ultimately graduate.

Richard Keaveny, the CEO of Acadeum, echoed this sentiment by underscoring the immense potential of course-sharing strategies. He stated, "The data in this paper demonstrates the power and potential of course sharing for colleges to expand course access and provide the flexibility students need to stay on track -- allowing institutions to improve retention, generate revenue, and strengthen long-term sustainability." This model ensures timely degree completion for students while also allowing institutions to maximize their educational offerings, presenting a win-win scenario for all parties involved.

For those interested in exploring this topic further and accessing the full white paper, please visit Acadeum's official website. By taking a collaborative approach to course offerings, colleges can truly redefine their capabilities to meet modern educational demands, improve student outcomes, and create sustainable financial futures for themselves and their learners.

About Acadeum

Acadeum stands at the forefront of innovative educational solutions, connecting over 500 higher education institutions within its network. These colleges and universities collaborate to expand academic resources, providing in-demand courses and credentials that support student progression, retention, and equitable access to job opportunities. With a focus on bolstering student success and enhancing financial sustainability, Acadeum enables institutions to offer workforce-oriented and stackable certifications. To learn more about innovative solutions to tackle high-stakes challenges in education, visit Acadeum.