For today’s adult learners, persistence is about more than just academic support. It’s about navigating real-world responsibilities — jobs, caregiving, financial stress — and still finding the flexibility and value they need from their educational experience.
To better understand what drives retention in this evolving landscape, Collegis Education partnered with UPCEA to conduct a national survey of both institutional leaders and online adult learners. The results revealed a powerful insight: While most institutions are actively investing in retention, many are missing the mark on what students actually need to stay enrolled and succeed.
5 Key takeaways from our latest retention research
Here are five notable insights from the research, and what they mean for colleges and universities committed to improving student outcomes.
1. Students want flexibility and autonomy, not more oversight
Many institutions prioritize structured check-ins and process-driven interventions, believing these strategies keep students on track. But our research shows adult learners value autonomy. They want tools that help them manage their own progress on their own time.
This disconnect highlights a critical point: ease of enrollment doesn’t guarantee persistence. Students need systems that accommodate their lives, not ones that require compliance with rigid structures.
2. Life stage matters more than demographics
A 25-year-old balancing their first full-time job faces different challenges than a 45-year-old returning to school after a career break. Yet many institutions still apply a one-size-fits-all support model across adult learner populations.
Our research shows that segmenting support by life stage (early career, mid-career, late career) helps institutions design smarter, more personalized services. That kind of alignment strengthens trust and improves outcomes.
3. Visibility drives persistence, but institutions underdeliver
What do students say actually helps them stay enrolled? Tools that let them track progress, set goals, and manage deadlines. A self-service progress dashboard was ranked as the most helpful support resource by students, yet institutions ranked it near the bottom.
This doesn’t mean eliminating human touchpoints. It means empowering students with the information they need upfront, so that staff interventions can be more timely, relevant, and effective.
4. Career goals are the anchor across segments
Despite their differences, adult learners are united by one common motivator: career advancement. Whether they’re seeking a promotion, changing industries, or gaining credentials for long-term growth, students want programs that deliver clear ROI.
Institutions that embed career relevance into coursework, advising, and communication are more likely to keep students engaged and enrolled.
5. Nearly half of institutions don’t track online retention
This was one of the most surprising data points: 48% of institutional leaders said they couldn’t report their online retention rate. Without clear tracking, it’s nearly impossible to assess what’s working or where improvement is needed.
Better visibility into retention metrics — paired with predictive analytics and student feedback — can help institutions act earlier and more effectively.
How institutions can start closing the retention gap
Improving retention for online adult learners isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things with the right focus. The full UPCEA-Collegis report goes into detail about three institutional shifts that can help close the gap between intention and impact:
- Smarter automation that personalizes student support at scale
- Segmented strategies that align with learners’ life stages and goals
- Proactive intervention driven by real-time data and predictive tools
Get the full story
These insights are just scratching the surface. To explore the full findings and get actionable advice on how to build a more student-centered, data-powered retention strategy, download the full report below.
Download the Complete Report
“The Retention Disconnect: What Adult Learners Need and What Institutions Miss”