Driven by the mission of preparing leaders to achieve educational equity, the University of Southern California Rossier School of Education (USC Rossier) seeks to enroll students who aspire to grow in innovative thinking and research to improve learning opportunities and outcomes in schools. However, when it experienced a downturn in brand reputation, the school suffered steeply declining enrollments across its programs and its budgets were impacted. The USC Rossier team knew if it could reach strategic markets with the right messaging at the right time, it could turn around the enrollment rates.
USC Rossier turned to its partnership with Encoura–specifically working with the Eduventures® Research and Digital Solutions teams–to develop a reliable strategy to revitalize its enrollments. With a foundation of customized state-of-the-market and student research from Eduventures, the USC Rossier team had the data needed to develop a strategic plan that united its leadership behind where to successfully invest its marketing resources.
With this market and student knowledge, USC Rossier was empowered to work with Encoura Digital Solutions to strategically deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time, while quickly and easily adjusting campaigns according to market shifts to maximize success.
Eduventures® Program Innovation
Market Analysis
Strategic Enrollment Consulting
Custom Audience Targeting
Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
Website Retargeting
Campaign Performance & Recommendations
USC Rossier’s improved market knowledge and digital strategy quickly yielded strong results. Its digital campaigns with Encoura skyrocketed its landing page to the highest visited page on the Rossier website. The university experienced a halo effect where its on-campus Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program interest grew 25% from digital campaigns for its online Ed.D. program. Through its strategic digital marketing planning and execution, USC Rossier’s request-for-information (RFI) submissions from digital ads increased 100%, applications increased 100% for its Ed.D. program year over year.
Graduate/Adult COVID-19 required Anderson University to re-evaluate their marketing strategy, which meant shifting their digital efforts to Custom Audience Targeting, social media, and TV ads. This led to increased 2020 numbers for non-traditional and graduate enrollment— 23% in summer and 16% in fall.
Columbia College of Missouri tapped into forward-thinking marketing solutions and market research to build their applicant pool and distinguish their brand from other similarly-named institutions. Through its intentional hard work and strategic thinking at the top of its enrollment funnel, the college’s applications from their region increased by 14% and a 33% increase in deposits.
The University of Arizona was ready to take their recruitment and marketing to the next level with the goals of breaking into new markets and personalizing communications. Through the right tools and research, the university gained key insights about their students to bring in a strong, diverse, academically talented class.
Louisiana State University Shreveport aimed to expand to new markets to advertise their programs and differentiate their brand, even with a smaller team of recruiters. Through execution of a strong, new digital marketing strategy, the university saw a 130% increase in new market applications and a 109% increase in applications from minority students.
Encoura is ready to connect with you to get started on your best strategy. Learn more about how higher education leaders are better understanding their market to take their institutions to the next level.