Ruffaloni

MARCH 28, 2024

Over the years, I have consulted with dozens of institutions who, in understanding the market dynamics of our time, began the process of expanding their online offerings. The key challenge for many schools has been not just a lack of bandwidth, but also not having the in-house expertise needed to create, manage, market for, recruit, and enroll students in online programs.

Online Programs 130

Online Programs Enrollment Graduate Students Programs 130

Ruffaloni

MARCH 27, 2024

RNL graduate student data helps institutions better target graduate students Cost and flexible program options are two of the biggest enrollment factors. Do you know why your graduate students choose to enroll at your institution? Understanding why your students select the institutions in which they enroll can help you to refine your messaging to focus on the things most important in graduate student enrollment decisions as well as ensuring alignment in your recruitment process.

Graduate Students 130

Graduate Students Enrollment Financial Aid Retention 130

Ruffaloni

MARCH 27, 2024

The 2024 RNLNC will feature more than 100 sessions across 7 tracks. If you haven’t registered for the RNL National Conference in Dallas (July 23-25), do so now! We have just finalized our graduate and online track, and it is chock full of sessions that will help you maintain your momentum and keep up with the latest trends and tactics regarding: student preferences and their impact on institutional success; the application of AI to processes and policies; best practices in enrollment expansion a

Enrollment 130

Enrollment Higher Education Out-of-State Policies 130

Ruffaloni

MARCH 14, 2024

Co-written by Andrew Giachetti, Senior Market Research Consultant What do our prospective students value? How well do we communicate to the perspective students the strength of what we provide? Price doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s highly related to many of the subsequent questions that we will discuss. But most importantly, it’s related to what students and in some contexts, their families value.

Tuition 162

Tuition Retention Enrollment Transfer 162

Ruffaloni

MARCH 14, 2024

Co-written by Dan Preston Nearly 140,000 students from the RNL Student Satisfaction Inventory across three academic years, and over 20,000 families from the CampusESP/RNL University Family Engagement Report were asked a series of questions regarding their satisfaction level with a variety of finance, financial aid, pricing and communication and information surrounding these topics.

Financial Aid 130

Financial Aid University University Tuition 130

Ruffaloni

MARCH 14, 2024

Developing new and innovating within existing academic programs to meet evolving external market demand is critical but can be a daunting challenge for many colleges and universities. It may be overwhelming to consider where to begin in understanding what appeals to students and the needs of the labor market. Depending upon your college or university sector, institutional culture, and established governance and planning processes , the intentional use of student and labor market demand data in y

Programs 147

Programs Government Policies Enrollment 147

Ruffaloni

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

AI is a valuable tool, but SEO needs writing and strategy only a person can provide. Your website is the hub of your marketing strategy and one of your institution’s most important brand assets. In fact, according to RNL’s 2023 E-Expectations Trend Report , college and university websites are the single most utilized resource for students—and 58 percent of undergraduate students use search engines to find a college’s website.

Higher Education 246

Higher Education Education Education Enrollment 246

Ruffaloni

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

As the landscape of higher education continues to be fraught with enrollment challenges, steep competition, and rising costs, university leaders often find themselves in the unpleasant position of determining how to do more with less. What can be implemented to remove barriers for prospective students, improving their experience and institutional outcomes, while not sacrificing legitimacy or precious time and energy along the way?

Transcripts 130

Transcripts Applications Enrollment Higher Education 130

Ruffaloni

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

A Marketer’s Thoughts on Changing Student Expectations There is no doubt that Millennials and GenZ have driven dramatic change in higher education because the expectations of these generations are changing everything. Add in the pandemic, and the changes in expectations accelerated across all industries—healthcare, employment, and goods and services—because almost everything can now be delivered online or virtually.

Graduate Students 130

Graduate Students Placement Enrollment Higher Education 130

Ruffaloni

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

The U.S. Department of Education has finally released its first look into the 2022-2023 academic year. Their IPEDS snapshot data showcase how many students were enrolled in different types of programs on a given fall semester day. There are three important findings: Undergraduate enrollment continued its decline but slowed to -2 percent (see Figure 1) Graduate enrollment contracted by 1 percent—the first time in a decade (Figure 2) Students opting to enroll in all online or some online courses a

Education 162

Education Education Enrollment Transcripts 162

Ruffaloni

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

AI governance is a crucial part of the AI implementation process. Artificial intelligence (AI) has made a buzz throughout higher education in the past year. According to a recent survey of education professionals , 50 percent said they use AI in admissions—and that number is expected to grow to 80 percent in 2024. However, two-thirds of respondents said they are “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” about the ethical implications of AI.

Higher Education 147

Higher Education Education Education Government 147

Ruffaloni

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

It’s critical to keep students engaged and informed during the FAFSA delays. The rollout of the improved FAFSA, after much anticipation and some delay, has had a bumpy start. The good news (fewer questions and more Pell eligible students) has been overshadowed by a site launch where many families experienced irregular availability and malfunctions.

Financial Aid 130

Financial Aid Loans Grants Out-of-State 130

Ruffaloni

FEBRUARY 8, 2024

What interferes with students completing a college application? The college application process is a pivotal and often overwhelming experience for high school students. As they strive to shape their academic futures, the journey can be both exciting and daunting. Recognizing the challenges that prospective students face, colleges have a unique opportunity to support and guide applicants through the application experience.

Applications 130

Applications Financial Aid Test Prep Enrollment 130

Ruffaloni

JANUARY 25, 2024

In an environment where the costs associated with recruiting graduate students are escalating, the ability to accurately evaluate the return on investment (ROI) of enrollment efforts has become a must in strategic recruitment planning. The data informing this blog post is the very latest sourced from RNL’s 2023 Graduate Marketing and Recruitment Practices Report , which presents insights from a survey conducted among graduate marketing and recruitment leaders from more than 200 institution

Graduate Students 130

Graduate Students Enrollment 130

Ruffaloni

JANUARY 25, 2024

One of my colleagues asked me to plan a session for an upcoming conference called “Empowering Excellence: Trends Driving Innovation and Change in 2024.” As I sifted through all the data released last fall by IPEDS, National Student Clearinghouse, Open Doors, Council of Graduate Schools, and more, I arrived at five data-driven trends that institutions will likely have to take into account as they chart their course in 2024.

Enrollment 162

Enrollment Semester Concentration Graduate Students 162

Ruffaloni

JANUARY 18, 2024

Transitioning from high school to college is a monumental step in a young person’s life. This transition is marked by a whirlwind of emotions, including excitement, anticipation, and a healthy dose of stress and fear for many. In this blog, we’ll delve into the most common fears of 12 th graders when it comes to college life, supported by insights from our RNL research, and we will offer some best practices that can help your institution support your new students with open arms and s

Transition 49

Transition Loans Tuition High School 49

Ruffaloni

JANUARY 18, 2024

Co-authored by Dr. Ken Newbold, Associate Vice President for Market Research Services, RNL Did you make any New Year’s resolutions for 2024? Professionally, you may have set a goal to better understand the markets (students) your college or university serves, how those markets are changing, and what new markets that may be available to you. While we know that higher education has been focused on the impact of the demographic cliff for years, opportunities exist for colleges and universities that

Out-of-State 130

Out-of-State Enrollment Higher Education In-State 130

Ruffaloni

DECEMBER 14, 2023

In 2022, the conversations I had with clients and friends made me think that they hoped that 2023 would be the year that things went back to “normal.” It may be an understatement when I say that is not what ended up happening. Rather, 2023 is likely to be remembered as the beginning of a new age in higher education. We confirmed early in the year that classroom enrollment did not “snap back” to pre-pandemic levels, and while many students (most often undergraduates) were eager to get back to cam

Enrollment 147

Enrollment Higher Education Admissions Education 147

Ruffaloni

DECEMBER 14, 2023

RNL will host its third annual Graduate and Online Innovation Summit on February 22. Our theme this year is Motivations, Modalities and Marketing: Aligning All Your Do with Student Expectations , and it will help you set your course for success in 2024. Here are three things you don’t want to miss: 1. Hear what your peers are focused on in 2024. Attendees will be asked to identify the three questions that they need answers for as they plan for 2024.

Enrollment 130

Enrollment 130

Ruffaloni

DECEMBER 7, 2023

As colleges and universities work to recruit and retain students in the post-pandemic world, understanding students and their families is more important than ever. The way students use technology search for college, the stress and anxiety they face, the economic challenges that impact their ability to afford college, and even the way they question the value of college have created daunting challenges for enrollment managers.

Retention 147

Retention Financial Aid Loans Scholarships 147

Ruffaloni

DECEMBER 7, 2023

This blog was co-authored with Ann Cools. By now we’ve all accepted that the next 60 days will be one of excitement and nervousness in the world of financial aid and enrollment management as we await the changes to the FAFSA. Some of you are well prepared; others are trying to get prepared with limited staff and even more limited resources. We feel your pain and we hope to provide a few things to have on your to-do list as you head into this delayed FAFSA season.

Financial Aid 264

Financial Aid Enrollment Orientation Retention 264

Ruffaloni

DECEMBER 6, 2023

To break through the noise of digital marketing in 2023, you need to catch the attention of prospective students and drive them to take action. That requires great creative work that really stands out from all the other marketing messages that students see—and it’s what the RNL creative team does with each campaign they undertake for colleges and universities.

Enrollment 261

Enrollment Out-of-State Policies Graduate Students 261

Ruffaloni

NOVEMBER 17, 2023

How can you navigate the trends in graduate enrollment? I recently developed a new data-driven presentation called “How to Win in the Graduate Market” that seeks to first lay out the state of the market and then talk through a list of 20 things that enrollment leaders need to be sure are happening in order to align with student expectations. You can sign up for a complimentary virtual presentation of this session.

Enrollment 147

Enrollment Online Programs Out-of-State Graduate Students 147

Ruffaloni

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

How do you ensure the success of new program launches? Well, while there are no guarantees, you can take steps to improve your likelihood of success. In fact, my colleagues who work with the Duke University Pratt School of Engineering recently sat down and developed a 10-step process that will help to ensure the success of their higher education marketing campaigns.

Enrollment 147

Enrollment Higher Education Field of Study Programs 147

Ruffaloni

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

Graduate students are more likely to enroll at the program that admits them first. Enrollment is everyone’s obligation, and good university leaders embrace the responsibility. What are you doing in your role to positively affect the admissions process? In today’s rapidly evolving higher education landscape, university leaders must recognize the pivotal role of efficient admissions processes in securing and maintaining competitive advantage.

Admissions 147

Admissions Enrollment Higher Education Graduate Students 147

Ruffaloni

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

Use these strategies to move graduate students from inquiry to enrollment. RNL will publish our 2023 Graduate Marketing and Recruitment Practices Report in early December. The report will detail the responses from enrollment leaders at more than 200 universities, uncovering several best practices that are used widely across institutions to achieve results.

Graduate Students 147

Graduate Students Enrollment Out-of-State Admissions 147

Ruffaloni

NOVEMBER 9, 2023

Does direct admissions directly lead to enrollment growth? In the last few months, direct admissions programs at Niche, the College Board, and even state-run higher education programs have received renewed media attention. While these programs have existed for a few years now, they are recently in the spotlight for their presumed ability to break down admission barriers for underrepresented groups.

Admissions 147

Admissions Enrollment Financial Aid Transition 147

Ruffaloni

NOVEMBER 9, 2023

This post was co-authored Dr. Raquel Bermejo, Associate Vice President for Market Research and Planning. In an era where the cost of higher education is steadily rising, prospective students and their families often grapple with the question of whether a college education is truly worth the investment. While the price tag of a college degree can be daunting, it’s crucial to understand that the benefits of a college education extend far beyond the immediate financial investment.

Tuition 147

Tuition Financial Aid Enrollment Higher Education 147

Ruffaloni

NOVEMBER 1, 2023

This is a guest blog by Stuart Jones, vice president for advancement and enrollment management at Southern Utah University. Stuart oversees the fundraising, marketing, and enrollment efforts at the university, and we have invited him to share his insights about the strategic enrollment planning process in this this post. The Grand Canyon has always been one of my favorite places.

Retention 130

Retention Enrollment Financial Aid GPA 130

Ruffaloni

OCTOBER 26, 2023

Each year, RNL analyzes student satisfaction for institutions across the country. This review includes students at four-year private and public institution, two-year community colleges, along with students in graduate programs and online learners. As we have observed consistently over the years, online learners tend to be among the most satisfied students overall.

Retention 147

Retention Tuition Enrollment Online Programs 147

Ruffaloni

OCTOBER 26, 2023

What do the latest employment and salary data tell us about the MBA market? Earlier this fall, my colleagues and I were selected to present a session at this year’s annual meeting of the Executive MBA Council. After past presentations of business-only findings from our national graduate studies, we wanted to add something even more helpful: employer market insights.

Higher Education 147

Higher Education Enrollment Out-of-State Programs 147

Ruffaloni

OCTOBER 26, 2023

More universities need to adapt to the new enrollment realities. As I travel around the country talking to institutional leaders, I have realized that something has really shifted in higher education. The combination of the oncoming enrollment cliff and the pandemic’s abrupt and forced adoption of online learning has made more institutions than ever realize that the dramatic shift that everyone has been talking about for years is finally here.

Enrollment 147

Enrollment Graduate Students Higher Education Undergraduate Students 147

Ruffaloni

OCTOBER 26, 2023

Programs need to serve students whose expectations have changed dramatically. Earlier this month, the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) released their annual “Graduate Enrollment and Degrees 2012-2022” report. The headline in Inside Higher Education was that graduate enrollment contracted by 4.7 percent year-over-year (while applications rose by 3.9 percent).

Education 147

Education Education Enrollment Graduate Students 147

Ruffaloni

OCTOBER 13, 2023

Dr. Lee Noel, 1934-2023 Dr. Lee Noel, one of the founders of Ruffalo Noel Levitz, passed away recently at the age of 89. Lee was a remarkable leader who left a lasting mark on higher education and in our hearts. Lee had a lifelong dedication to higher education, both as a professional and as a student. He received his bachelor’s in business from Illinois State University in 1956 and his master’s in educational administration in 1963, before receiving his PhD in educational psychology from Northw

Retention 130

Retention Financial Aid Higher Education ACT 130

Ruffaloni

OCTOBER 13, 2023

Engaging Hispanic families can help you then engage prospective Hispanic students. Hispanic families in the United States encounter various challenges stemming from a complex interplay of socioeconomic, cultural, and structural factors. These challenges, including education, employment, healthcare, and overall well-being, can significantly impact their lives and intrinsically affect their ability to help their children with college planning.

Financial Aid 147

Financial Aid Higher Education Enrollment Out-of-State 147

Ruffaloni

OCTOBER 12, 2023

Market research provides the insights that give you a competitive advantage. Higher education is facing an array of challenges that require a thorough understanding of the landscape to ensure institutions remain competitive and that resources are allocated to strategies that can be most impactful. The key to navigating these challenges and achieving success lies in understanding the market, anticipating student and industry needs and interests, and implementing strategies to be competitive.

Higher Education 264

Higher Education Education Education Enrollment 264

Ruffaloni

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

Generative AI can help campuses engage prospective students 24.7. The excitement about Generative AI (Gen AI) since the release of ChatGPT, Bard, Claude, Midjourney, etc. seems to be settling now. Every business leader today is carefully considering, “How can Gen AI actually add value to my business?” AI undoubtedly will lead to innovation and augment our capabilities in every walk of life.

Higher Education 147

Higher Education Education Education Financial Aid 147