The Enrollment Cliff Is Coming, But You Still Have Time
The number of high school graduates is expected to peak in 2025 at 3.8 million, followed by a 12 percent decline through 2037 due to lower birth rates. Smaller colleges and universities are likely to feel the greatest impact.
Now is the time to expand your reach and diversify your recruitment strategy.
- Adult learners now make up nearly one-third of all undergraduates.
- The number of students under age 17 has grown by 27 percent since 2019.
- Eighty-four percent more Northern students are choosing Southern schools than the reverse.
Reaching beyond the traditional 18-year-old prospect is no longer optional—it is essential. Focus on audience segments that are growing, such as adult learners who value flexibility, and younger students who are exploring earlier than ever. Expand your geographic reach with targeted digital campaigns that showcase what makes your campus and community unique.
Because this shift is gradual, there is still time to plan and adapt. Institutions that act now will be better positioned to grow and compete in the years ahead.
👉 We break down the strategies that are working in our full whitepaper, Higher Education Marketing: Challenges, Solutions & Strategies.
Download
Higher Ed Marketing:
Challenges, Solutions & Strategies
and learn to better understand and overcome current enrollment marketing challenges.
33%
of undergrads are adult learners
45%
of students struggle to find scholarships
85%
of high school students avoided applying due to cost
If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you adapt to the evolving education marketing landscape and ramp up your efforts, please contact us today.
OUR LATEST WHITEPAPER
Higher Education Marketing
Challenges, Solutions & Strategies
With rising competition from alternative credentials and online education, and fewer students entering college due to the enrollment cliff, higher ed marketers face steep challenges. Our latest whitepaper explores these issues and offers data-driven strategies and expert insights to help navigate them.
