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Niche's Direct Admissions Program: A Game Changer for College Applicants

Niche, a prominent platform designed to connect students and families with colleges, has launched its 2025-26 Direct Admissions program. This initiative marks a significant shift in the college admissions landscape, offering high school seniors a streamlined pathway to acceptance and scholarship opportunities. This latest launch comes after the successful completion of their 2024-25 program, which generated an impressive $138 million in net tuition revenue for participating colleges.

Expansion and Impact

Now in its fifth consecutive cycle, the Direct Admissions program has expanded its reach, partnering with over 150 colleges and universities across the nation. With plans for even more institutions to join this innovative model, students can look forward to real-time acceptance notifications and upfront scholarship offers based solely on their Niche profiles. This approach not only connects students with schools but also incentivizes higher education institutions to adapt to a changing admissions environment.

Results That Speak Volumes

The previous admissions cycle produced remarkable outcomes:

• - More than 1 million students received at least one acceptance or scholarship offer, with an average of eight offers per student.
• - The average annual scholarship awarded was $16,000, reflecting a substantial investment by colleges to attract prospective students.
• - Nearly 50% of deposits came from BIPOC and first-generation students, highlighting the program's commitment to enhancing educational opportunity and access for underrepresented demographics.
• - The $138 million in revenue not only shows the financial viability of this model but also underscores the demand from students and families for a more personalized admissions experience.

Founder and CEO Luke Skurman states, “Higher ed isn’t broken, but the model it was built on is being stress-tested like never before.” This echoes a growing sentiment among educational leaders that traditional admissions processes need a refresh to remain competitive in an evolving educational landscape.

Bridging the Gap

Niche’s Direct Admissions initiative plays a crucial role in breaking down barriers to enrollment, encouraging a broader audience of students, especially those who are Pell Grant-eligible, first-generation, and underrepresented, to pursue higher education. By allowing colleges to connect with students directly, this program helps ensure that more students can find schools that align with their goals and aspirations.

Noteworthy Institutions

Among the institutions participating in the Direct Admissions program are notable colleges such as Texas A&M University–Kingsville, University of Nevada Reno, University of Minnesota Crookston, University of Missouri–St. Louis, Seattle University, and Drake University. The exposure received through outlets like NPR, New York Times, and Money.com has further solidified Niche's position as a leader in education technology. Additionally, the program has been recognized with accolades such as the 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Awards and the 2024 Best Invention, reflecting its innovative contributions to the field of education.

Looking Ahead

As the 2025-26 admissions cycle ramps up, high school seniors are encouraged to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Over 1 million students create a profile on Niche each year, and this new launch promises to transform their college search experience. Whether students aim to dive into traditional or non-traditional education pathways, Niche's Direct Admissions program is positioned to assist more students than ever before in navigating their journeys towards higher education.

Schools and colleges aiming to increase their enrollment can find more information about becoming a partner at niche.com/about/partners/direct-admissions.

About Niche

With a mission to simplify the college search process, Niche serves over 70 million individuals annually. The platform offers vital resources such as Niche Market Intelligence, Niche Engage, and the Direct Admissions program which empowers educational institutions to effectively shape and build their future student bodies. For over 20 years, Niche has remained dedicated to improving the education journey for students and families alike.