It’s no secret. No matter how much new data comes in, the facts are the facts…
And it’s bad news for traditional, brick-and-mortar higher ed.
College enrollments, generally speaking, have been trending downward, with some exceptions, for a long time.
From peak enrollment in 2010 to the fall of 2024, we’ve lost roughly 8.4% of the total student body.[1] Or, nearly 2 million students.
That’s a lot of students. And, as you know, it’s affected a lot of institutions.
Now, there are a number of reasons as to why, which we can point to, like the rising cost of a four-year degree, the demographic cliff and the high jobs demand for the trades (and relatively inexpensive tuition for trade school), but nevertheless, the long-term trend fewer high-school students matriculating into traditional four year schools as undergrads, remain in-tact…
At least for now.
You see, there is good news, great news and opportunity.
Spring 2025 proves it!
Here’s the good news: total secondary enrollments actually grew by 3.2% this spring over spring 2024…
With community colleges seeing the largest growth (5.4%), accounting for the majority of all undergrad enrollment growth (55.8%).
Even bachelor’s and associate degree programs grew by 2.1% and 6.3% respectively.
And get this, some great news: Graduate enrollment increased 1.5% over last spring…
And it is now 7.2 % higher than in 2020![2]
Furthering that great news, the number of undergrads in their 20’s (adult learners) grew by 3.2% for the 21-24 demo, and 5.9% for the 25-29 demo.
Herein lies the opportunity for primarily online colleges:
We’re witnessing relatively strong undergrad enrollment growth with adult learners, and relatively strong grad school enrollment (also adults) as well.
Or, more simply put, it’s the demographic that fits nearly perfect with online colleges… because of the flexibility online learning can offer.
You see, much of this demographic is already in the workforce but needs/wants to further their education to get to the next level. For various reasons, many of them simply can’t physically attend a brick-and-mortar college…
And that’s why your online college should be targeting them.
Of course, you already are… Adult learners are your bread and butter. But with this new data, you should be targeting them more effectively, and more directly.
How?
Simple. Partner with Conversion Media Group.
We are a national leader in higher education enrollment initiatives, and we concentrate our efforts on helping online schools enroll adult learners. The very demographic that’s not only showing strong enrollment growth…
But need the flexibility online learning offers.
How do we target them more effectively and directly?
Well, we actually speak with hundreds, sometimes thousands of prospective students, targeting adult learners… on the telephone.
Through our various digital marketing efforts and communications, we curate, and nurture adult learner leads. Then we call them.
When we have them on the phone and know they’re highly intent on enrolling in online college, we can transfer the calls to your enrollment department live.
It sounds pretty simple, and for you it is.
Just give us a quick call at 1-800-419-3201 and we’ll go over the details with you.
The call may only take a few minutes…
But if you’re looking to increase enrollments at your online college, 10 new students, 100 new students or more…
Just tell us your number and the call will be well worth your time.
[1] College Enrollment Statistics [2024]: Total + by Demographic
[2] Current Term Enrollment Estimates | National Student Clearinghouse Research Center