As enrollments decline, colleges respond with technology, new curricula and business partnerships.

America’s colleges and universities are embracing innovations in technology, career-based curriculum and business partnerships as they face years of declining enrollment and financial woes, according to a new study by Jenzabar, a higher education software and services company.

The survey, Innovation to create a more flexible way for higher educationIt’s based on responses to an online survey conducted in August and September 2022 by 145 higher education administrators — most in campus leadership positions such as president, vice president or dean.

The survey included multiple-choice questions about technology spending plans for the coming year, skills-based curriculum options and partnerships with local businesses.

About half (45%) of respondents said enrollment had dropped in the past year, and according to other sources, officials in several states have seen a sharp drop in the percentage of high school students attending college. Here are a few pointers that show how the respondents are trying to overcome this challenge.

The cost of technology

Regardless of whether school enrollments are increasing or decreasing, most schools increased their technology spending last year, and most plan to increase their technology spending this year.

• More than half (51%) of respondents increased their spending on infrastructure/technology in the past year.
• Two-thirds of respondents (64%) expect to increase their technology spending in the 2023-2024 school year.

The main purpose of this increase in technology spending is to promote flexible course pathways associated with skill acquisition and career preparation. A major advantage of improved technology is that it enables institutions to offer new courses more quickly, especially for non-traditional students.

More flexible curriculum and credentials

• Two-thirds (62%) of the institutions offer or plan to offer non-credit courses.
• More than half (52%) plan to offer non-credit certificates.
• About 60% of these schools offer or plan to offer degrees that can be arranged.

Business partnerships

Most colleges and universities are working with local businesses to provide more flexible learning opportunities for their students. More than half (53%) of the institutions surveyed partner with local businesses to provide on-demand skills training or workforce training.

Researched institutions working in partnership with local businesses (with non-working ones):

• Almost twice as many offer or plan to take non-credit courses (71% versus 40%).
• Nearly twice as likely to offer or plan to offer non-credit certificates (63% vs. 34%).
• More than twice as likely to present or plan to submit minor testimonials (51% vs. 24%).
• Almost twice as likely to offer or plan to offer overlapping degrees (66% vs. 37%).
• They are more likely to invest in technology (67% vs. 61%).

“We are not surprised to see institutions partnering with local businesses to provide alternative ways to education. These are institutions that are connected to their communities. They are listening to students, listening to local employers and seeing it as their responsibility to create more inclusive educational opportunities for students,” said Jenzabar President, Founder and CEO. Executive Director Ling Chai said.

As college enrollment continues to slide, institutions are scrambling to find new sources of revenue. According to a recent report by the National Student Clearinghouse (NSRCC), total postsecondary enrollment, both undergraduate and graduate, will increase by 4.1%—equal to about 685,000 students—in spring 2022 from spring It has decreased compared to 2021.

Combined with the 3.5% decline seen in spring 2021, the total two-year drop in college enrollment has reached 7.4%, or about 1.3 million students, since spring 2020, dimming hopes that the worst of the epidemic of enrollment erosion is over. Instead, there are growing concerns that other factors — such as skepticism about the cost of college — are keeping students away.

It remains to be seen whether the strategies documented in Jenzabar’s survey will help change enrollment numbers, but they do correlate well with employers’ continued investments in employee education and skills training.

As Jenzabar’s Chai says, “Higher education is under tremendous pressure to change. Students should see a strong connection between their education and their career paths. Many students seek alternative learning opportunities. The research shows that data institutions can use to shape their future path – and Jenzabar wants to help. We offer innovative ways for institutions to attract today’s students., And we hope that our collaboration with institutions will give students the academic and life skills they need to help them overcome the education/work divide., and to unlock their full potential.”