Back in April, we, Conversion Media Group published an eye-opening article titled “Data Show Big Opportunities for Fully Online Colleges” (available HERE).
In that article, we highlighted how some online colleges may be faring quite well right now (and potentially into the future), despite the fact that we are expecting a large decline in America’s high-school age population; slated to begin by next year.
Now, this expected decline in students, as you’re likely aware, is known as the “enrollment cliff.” And, as its name suggests, could bring about a very perilous situation for some, if not many, institutions.
As The Chronicle of Higher Education said back in February, “The consensus view is that America will hit a peak of around 3.5 million high-school graduates sometime near 2025. After that, “the college-going population is expected to shrink across the next five to 10 years by as many as 15 percentage points.”[1]
Clearly, a 15% shrinkage in the size of the prospective college student pool over the next decade could be, quite obviously, devastating for some schools. We’re talking budget cuts, layoffs, potential closure, etc.
As a result, many institutions of higher education have already begun preparing for it.
But…
Unfortunately, the effects of the enrollment cliff are beginning to be felt, right now… far sooner than many demographics experts may have thought.
It’s why we’re revisiting this topic today. It’s that important.
You see, in just a moment, Conversion Media Group will show you why there are still big opportunities, even in this environment, for online colleges and universities to actually increase enrollments.
And we’ll show you, in our expert opinion, perhaps the best way to do it.
But first, in the past month alone, the enrollment cliff alarm bells have begun to ring, and ring loudly…
“Schools and colleges are closing, faculty members are being laid off, and districts are facing financial dilemmas,” said Axios. [2]
“Colleges and universities, already facing declining enrollments, are marching toward a cliff where the number of high school students applying for higher education is expected to fall,” said Forbes.[3]
And the New York Times published a full piece titled, “Why U.S. Schools Are Facing Their Biggest Budget Crunch in Years.”[4]
That’s the enrollment cliff, in a nutshell.
Now, the above are just a small sample of very recent articles highlighting the situation that’s happening, right now…
Again, far sooner than many demographics experts may have thought.
With that said, for some schools, it may be too late to turn enrollment numbers around. However, for others, especially those that offer fully online programs to adult learners…
Opportunity abounds.
You see, the article we published back in April remains true today, even now as the effects of the enrollment cliff are already being felt.
As we said then…
“There are roughly 2,500 colleges and universities in the US that offer at least some online learning. And, as of 2022, over 10 million college students were enrolled in at least one online course, a 64% increase over 2010.
“Clearly, a decade+ of data shows online learning, especially at the college level, is becoming more popular.
“However, only a small percentage (about 7%) of the 2,500 or so US colleges that offer online courses are considered “primarily online” institutions; institutions with at least 90% of students enrolled fully online.
“Now, data show that enrollment at these institutions represents about 6% of the total student body Meaning there’s plenty of room to grow… especially in the adult learner demographic.
“You see, while online learning is gaining in popularity among prospective college students of all ages, nearly half (42%) of students pursuing an online education are over the age of 30.
“So, if you’re operating a primarily online college, this is a demographic you should be (if you’re not already) targeting, because that’s where the growth opportunity exists.”[5]
So, how can you target that key 30+ year old, adult learner demographic? The demographic that’s highly interested in earning a college degree, fully online?
Well, in our expert opinion, perhaps the best way to do it, is by partnering with Conversion Media Group, America’s higher education enrollment initiative experts.
You see, marketing your school to the 30+ year old adult learner demo is our specialty… in any environment, enrollment cliff or not.
And with our live transfer leads, we can direct adult learners right into your enrollment department, live while they’re on the phone with us.
If you’d like to learn exactly how we do it, simply give us a call at 1-800-419-3201
Or, you can Email us at [email protected]
Or click HERE to contact us via our website.
Here’s to your enrollment success!
[1] Colleges Were Already Bracing for an ‘Enrollment Cliff.’ Now There Might Be a Second One. (chronicle.com)
[2] Schools are bracing for the looming “enrollment cliff” (axios.com)
[3] Why It’ll Likely Be Easier Getting Into College, Even The Ivy League, This Coming Admissions Cycle (forbes.com)
[4] Why U.S. Schools Are Facing Their Biggest Budget Crunch in Years – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
[5] Data Show Big Opportunities for Fully Online Colleges – CMG (conversionmediagroup.com)