Want to Get Students’ Attention? Start Where They’re Already Looking

When it comes to reaching prospective students, the message is important—but the medium might matter even more.

Our latest survey of high school students reveals that 69% pay the most attention to school messages on social media. That’s right—social platforms beat out email, college fairs, and even flashy video ads on streaming services.

Email and college events still hold strong at 59%, proving that a multichannel strategy is key. But the drop-off is steep from there: just 32% notice video ads on streaming channels, and only 16% say traditional TV and radio ads capture their attention.

Students: Where do you pay attention to school advertising messages the most?

📱 What this means for education marketers:

If your campaigns aren’t optimized for social—and we mean more than just boosted posts—you’re likely missing the mark with the very students you’re trying to reach. Authentic content, influencer collaborations, and platform-native ads are no longer optional. They’re essential.

Want deeper insights into how students and their families search, decide, and engage with education and training opportunities?

👉 Read the full blog and download our exclusive whitepaper today.

Your next enrollment boost might just start with a scroll.

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The 2nd Annual

Parent & Student Survey

FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

and learn how to better reach your most targeted enrollment segments: students and their parents.

This guide outlines the biggest current challenges of education marketers, and ideas showing how your enrollment strategy can overcome and thrive.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE WHITEPAPER

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95%

of parents are using digital sources to research post-secondary options for their children

95%

of ALL teens use YouTube

2x

the number of parents are considering vocational schools than their children

Other areas we cover that will help increase awareness of your institution among students and their parents:

  • The most important factors considered in the college search process:

    • what motivates students’ choices
    • what parents consider the most important factors
  • How students and their parents interact with school advertising:

    • The apps where students AND their parents spend most of their ‘social media’ time
    • What other sources are used for school research: digital, direct mail, etc.
  • How to use the survey insights to optimize your enrollment strategy:

    • Vocational schools
    • Community colleges
    • Four-year universities

We’re proud of our work

advance education third annual parent and student survey whitepaper 2026

OUR LATEST WHITEPAPER

AI for Education

A Marketer’s Guide to Visibility, Discovery, and Enrollment in an AI-Mediated World

Prospective students aren’t just searching differently. They’re discovering, comparing, and evaluating institutions through AI before they ever visit a website.

This guide explores how AI is reshaping the enrollment journey and what enrollment marketers can do to improve visibility, build trust, and prepare for the future of student discovery.

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Let’s work together on your student enrollment strategy.

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