Increase Student Enrollment with the eLearning Index
Critical Need for Data in Today’s Uncertain Higher Education Landscape
For the past seven years, there has been a growing anxiety concerning the future of higher education and it’s potential for growth, or rather for its lack thereof. With the pandemic still leaving a dent in the market, and the enrollment cliff looming ahead, institutions need every available tool to create sound strategic long and short term plans. To that end, EducationDynamics annually puts together a report and web tool so administrators can go into these planning sessions armed with relevant data.
To tackle enrollment challenges, colleges and universities focus on understanding today’s students’ needs and preferences. These students value flexible programs and courses leading to in-demand careers.
EducationDynamics’ 2024 eLearning Index Report gives institutions a data-driven resource with which to understand the opportunities they have for program diversity and prioritization. With the eLearning Index report, institution leaders can determine which programs align not only with current student interest, but also with future labor market forecasts. Armed with this knowledge, EducationDynamics hopes that higher education leaders can chart a path through the oncoming storm.
How the eLearning Index Works and How the Data was Collated
Getting an accurate view of the current labor market and attributing that to relevant student trends and degree completions is a heavy lift for administrators. EducationDynamics’ Market Research team developed the eLearning Index score, a valuable tool that utilizes current National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data.
Colleges and universities can rest easy knowing that the data behind the eLearning Index has been accurately vetted by the NCES, and rely upon the scoring from EducationDynamics to lead them to sound tactical decisions.
Utilize the eLearning Index App to Dive Into the Data
The eLearning Index Report provides valuable insights into the highest opportunity programs currently available for each educational level. Identifying programs with the highest growth potential can help your institution a tangible framework to create programs that resonate with future students and ensure they are well-prepared to thrive in the future.
While there is useful data within the published version of the eLearning Index report, the web app created by EducationDynamics market researchers is a true treasure trove of information. Administrators can slice the data themselves by region, modality, program – even individual CIP codes. This can create a unique forecast not just for the overarching degree level and program, but for your specific situation within your area of the country.
To make the most of the eLearning Index web app and optimize your educational offerings, consider the following tips:
1. Consider the question you want to answer for your program. Here are a few to get you started:
- What are the job outcomes?
- Where are program completions highest?
- How diverse is the program?
- What is the employment reality in our region?
2. Explore the dashboard most related to your question
3. Use filters to compare your program to other programs
Current High Priority Programs That Trend Towards Growth within the eLearning Index
The eLearning Index provides valuable insights into the highest opportunity programs currently available. To give you an idea of what they’ve uncovered, here’s a brief overview from this year’s report:
Top 3 Certificate-Level Business, Healthcare, and Computer Science Courses
- Accounting and Finance
- Customer Service Support
- Radiologist Assistant
Top 3 Associate Degree-Level Business, Healthcare, and Computer Science Courses
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
- Education/Teaching of Individuals in Early Childhood Special Education Programs
- Economics, General
Top 3 Bachelor’s Degree-Level Business, Healthcare, and Computer Science Courses
- Computer Science
- Economics and Quantitative Economics
- Research and Experimental Psychology, Other
Top 3 Master’s Degree-Level programs Business, Healthcare, and Computer Science Courses
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other
- Management Science
- Business Statistics
Top 3 Doctorate-Level Business, Healthcare, and Computer Science Courses
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist
- Physician Assistants/Assistant
- Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other
Chart Your Enrollment Management Journey with the eLearning Index Report and Web Tool
With focused usage of the eLearning Index Report, schools can make effective plans for program prioritization and development. As they create more unique data tables through the eLearning Index Web App, more opportunities for their specific forecasted situation will reveal themselves. This combination equips administrators for the turbulent waters ahead for higher education. These challenges will force unprepared institutions into panicked, short sighted decisions, while schools that have prepared accordingly will find enrollment growth and long term success.