BY Anthony Campisi | November 30th, 2024

Showcasing ROI: Effective Ways to Communicate the Value of Graduate Degrees

Convincing already-busy graduate program candidates to invest their precious time and hard-earned money into your programs can be an uphill climb. With rising costs of living and a market crowded with MBA programs, candidates are more value-conscious than ever. Communicating your programs’ ROI requires more than just throwing salary statistics around (although they help!). Today’s prospective grad students need a full picture of a program’s value that resonates personally with their goals, values, and lifestyles.

Let’s Talk Numbers

Concrete comparisons can help prospective grad students visualize their financial return. Many programs also forget about non-salary ROI points. Career mobility, program flexibility, and professional networking are huge selling points.

• Instead of leading with data points like “Our graduates earn X% more than someone without an MBA,” break it down into tangible terms. For example, “The average salary increase our graduates see within two years could cover their entire tuition investment.”
• Highlight non-salary data points like higher job satisfaction, an increase in leadership roles, and more workplace autonomy.
• Showcase value, but also be honest about the investment required. Consider creating a comprehensive cost breakdown that includes often-overlooked factors like networking opportunities, career services access, industry partnerships, and alumni association benefits.

Create “Day in the Life” Content

Share video snippets or blog posts featuring recent graduates in their new roles. Show them using the hard skills from your program in real-world situations or feature their network connections. Bonus points if you can highlight graduates who made interesting career pivots or started their dream business. Include a wide array of diverse student backgrounds and life circumstances to showcase your program’s versatility.

Leverage Your Alumni Network

Start a “Success Spotlight” series on your website or social media pages where alumni share their career trajectories post-graduation. Include specific examples of how the degree opened doors, accelerated their progress, or taught them the hard skills they need to be a better leader.

Segment ROI Messaging

Pay careful attention to where your applicants or candidates are in the enrollment cycle. Early-career prospects might care more about salary jumps and promotion potential, while mid-career professionals might be more interested in leadership development, industry transition opportunities, or entrepreneurship.

The best ROI messages for graduate candidates aren’t just about what students will get – it’s helping them see who they will become. Focus on telling a complete, personalized story – both quantitative and qualitative – to prospects, and you’ll develop closer relationships with candidates, help them see themselves at your university, and create a more compelling case for the overall value of a graduate education. ROI messages aren’t just about what students will get – they’re about helping them see who they’ll become.

Let’s chat about how we can help you take your graduate enrollment strategy to the next level.

BY Anthony Campisi | November 14th, 2024

Leveraging Graduate Program Partnerships to Boost Enrollment

Let’s face it – maintaining strong enrollment numbers for graduate programs isn’t getting any easier. Building industry partnerships is one of the most powerful (yet often underutilized) strategies. With these tips, your enrollment team can build relationships with industry experts and turn them into graduate program partnerships that create a steady stream of qualified candidates.

Why Industry Partnerships Matter Now More Than Ever

Companies are constantly looking for ways to develop their talent pool, and your graduate programs need qualified candidates who will succeed in the classroom and advance their careers. Companies get access to a pipeline of talented professionals, and your programs gain credibility and visibility. With the right industry partnerships, everyone wins. Plus, strong partnerships often lead to concrete benefits like tuition reimbursement programs, real-world projects for your candidates’ resumes, and interview opportunities for graduates.

Starting with Your Best Asset: Your Alumni

Your alumni network is an enrollment team’s most valuable asset. Graduates already know the value of the program and currently hold leadership positions within their organizations.

• Rather than cold-calling local companies, start by reaching out to your most outstanding alumni through LinkedIn or your alumni office.
• Create regular opportunities for networking at events where partnership development is already a natural part of the conversation.

Finding the Right Partners

Not all partnerships are created equal, and that’s okay. Focus your efforts on corporate organizations and nonprofits that make sense for your program.

• Look for companies that have hired your graduates in the past, maintain solid professional development budgets, and align with your program’s strengths.
• For example: If your programs have a strong finance track, target financial institutions. If your program is known for community service and leadership, connect with successful nonprofits.

Making the Partnership Work for Everyone

The key to successful partnerships is customization. Some companies might want custom executive education programs, while others are more interested in research collaboration. When companies get a customized learning experience for their employees, you’ll build a long-lasting, trusted relationship, while your programs get a guaranteed stream of qualified, motivated candidates.

Turning Partnerships into Enrollment

Once your programs have established partnerships, market them effectively and make them as visible as possible to your graduate program candidates.

• Share success stories of corporate participants who’ve advanced in their careers, gained leadership roles, or increased their salaries.
• Create content that showcases joint research initiatives and consulting projects. Short video clips are always compelling!

Making it Easy for Partner Employees

The best way to develop an array of industry partnerships is to make the process as easy as possible for both the business organization and the incoming graduate program candidate.

• Consider creating a dedicated admissions pathway with application fee waivers, special information sessions or webinars, or expedited admission procedures.

The Long Game for Graduate Program Partnerships

Building strong industry partnerships isn’t a quick fix – it’s a long-term strategy that requires patience and ongoing attention. But it pays off time and time again! Programs that invest in building and maintaining these relationships now will find themselves with a significant competitive advantage. Plus, you’re creating real value for both your students and your corporate partners. Start small, be authentic, and focus on building relationships that make sense for your program. Treat your partners like the valuable allies they are, not just as a source of students. Before you know it, you’ll have created a sustainable pipeline of qualified candidates who are ready to succeed in your program and beyond.

Ready to talk about graduate program enrollment? We’re here to listen!