Higher ed news November highlights the latest trends shaping enrollment, admissions strategy, and technology across higher education. With increasing pressure on institutions, staying informed is more important than ever.

Everyone is busy. However, keeping up with industry trends is essential for making informed decisions. This monthly roundup brings together key articles and reports that are gaining traction across the higher education community.

Higher Ed News November Overview

The trend this month is clear. Enrollment is declining, yet the cost of recruiting students continues to rise. As a result, institutions are under increasing pressure to improve efficiency and outcomes.

One major factor is the rise in application volume. While applications have increased significantly, the number of enrolled students has not kept pace. Therefore, institutions must rethink how they manage recruitment and yield.

Key Trends Impacting Higher Education

Several important themes emerged from this month’s top articles.

Rising Application Volume and Lower Yield

Some experts point to the Common Application as a driver of increased application volume. For example, applications grew by 70% over a decade, while the number of high school graduates increased by only 5%.

As a result, institutions face greater uncertainty in predicting enrollment and managing tuition revenue.

Increased Pressure on Admissions Teams

According to recent surveys, admissions teams are finding it more difficult to meet enrollment targets. In addition, competition for students continues to intensify.

Because of this, institutions must adopt more strategic and data-driven approaches to recruitment.

Declining College Enrollment

Enrollment in U.S. colleges has declined for multiple consecutive years. For example, total enrollment dropped to 19.5 million, with significant declines in two-year institutions.

Learn more:
https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2014/cb14-177.html#

This trend highlights the need for institutions to improve engagement and retention strategies.

Growth in International Student Interest

International enrollment remains an important area of growth. Institutions are increasingly focused on attracting students from global markets to offset domestic declines.

CRM Technology Driving Efficiency

CRM systems continue to play a critical role in higher education.

Research shows that 80% of institutions report improved efficiency when using CRM. However, many also acknowledge that they are not fully leveraging these systems.

Because of this gap, institutions have an opportunity to improve how they use data to support enrollment and student success.

Concerns About the Admissions “Bubble”

Rising costs, student debt, and shifting enrollment patterns have led some to question the sustainability of current admissions models.

As a result, institutions must evaluate long-term strategies and consider how to adapt to changing market conditions.

What This Means for Institutions

Higher ed news November trends point to a common challenge: doing more with fewer students and greater uncertainty.

Institutions should focus on:

• Improving data-driven decision making
• Enhancing communication with prospective students
• Leveraging CRM technology more effectively
• Adapting recruitment strategies to changing trends

By addressing these areas, institutions can better navigate the evolving enrollment landscape.

Learn More

If your institution is looking to improve enrollment strategy and better leverage CRM technology, Enrollment Rx can help.

Start the conversation:
https://www.enrollmentrx.com/contact/