Category: Academic portfolio

  • From Intuition to Intelligence: Leveraging Data to Guide Academic Portfolio Strategy

    From Intuition to Intelligence: Leveraging Data to Guide Academic Portfolio Strategy

    In today’s competitive higher education landscape, institutions can no longer afford to rely on instinct alone when it comes to academic program planning. The stakes are too high and the margin for error too slim. 

    Leaders are facing increasing pressure to align their portfolios with market demand, institutional mission, and student expectations — all while navigating constrained resources and shifting demographics. 

    The good news? You don’t have to guess. Market intelligence offers a smarter, more strategic foundation for building and refining your academic program mix. 

    Why program optimization matters now more than ever 

    Most institutions have at least one program that’s no longer pulling its weight — whether due to declining enrollment, outdated relevance, or oversaturated competition. At the same time, there are often untapped opportunities for growth in emerging or underserved fields. 

    But how do you decide which programs to scale, sustain, or sunset? 

    Optimizing your portfolio requires more than internal performance metrics. It calls for an external lens — one that brings into view national and regional trends, labor market signals, and consumer behavior. When done effectively, academic portfolio strategy becomes less about trial and error, and more about clarity and confidence. 

    The first step: Start with the market 

    The strongest portfolio strategies begin with robust external data. At Collegis Education, we draw from sources like the National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS), Lightcast labor market analytics, and Google search trends to assess program performance, student demand, and employment outlooks. 

    National trends give us the big picture and a foundation to start from. But for our partners, we prioritize regional analysis — because institutions ultimately compete and serve in specific geographic contexts, even with fully online programs. Understanding what’s growing in your state or region is often more actionable than knowing what’s growing nationwide. 

    Our proprietary methodology filters for: 

    • Five-year conferral growth with positive year-over-year trends 
    • Programs offered by a sufficient number of institutions (to avoid anomalies) 
    • Competitive dynamics and saturation thresholds 
    • Job postings and projected employment growth 

    This data-driven process helps institutions avoid chasing short-term trends and instead focus on sustainable growth areas. 

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    Data in action: Insights from today’s growth programs 

    Collegis’ latest program growth analyses — drawing from 2023 conferral data — surface a diverse mix of high-opportunity programs. While we won’t detail every entry here, a few trends stand out: 

    • Technology and healthcare programs remain strong at the undergraduate level, with degrees like Computer Science and Health Sciences showing continued growth. 
    • Graduate credentials in education and nursing reflect both workforce need and strong student interest. 
    • Laddering potential is especially evident in fields like psychology and health sciences, where institutions can design seamless transitions from associate to bachelor’s. In fields such as education, options to ladder from certificate to master’s programs are growing in demand. 

    What’s most important isn’t the specific programs, it’s what they reveal: external data can confirm intuition, challenge assumptions, and unlock new strategic direction. And when paired with regional insights, these findings become even more powerful. 

    How to turn insight into strategy 

    Having market data is just the beginning. The true value lies in how institutions use it. At Collegis, we help our partners translate insight into action through a structured portfolio development process that includes the following: 

    1. Market analysis: Analyzing external data to identify growth areas, saturation risks, and demand signals — regionally and nationally. 
    1. Gap analysis: Identifying misalignments between current offerings and market opportunity. 
    1. Institutional alignment: Layering in internal metrics — enrollment, outcomes, mission fit, modality, and margin. 
    1. Strategic decisions: Prioritizing programs to expand, launch, refine, or sunset. 
    1. Implementation support: Developing go-to-market plans, supporting change management, and measuring results. 

    By grounding these decisions in both internal and external intelligence, institutions can future-proof their portfolios — driving enrollment, meeting workforce needs, and staying mission-aligned. 

    Put data to work for your portfolio 

    Program portfolio strategy doesn’t have to be a guessing game. With the right data and a trusted partner, institutions can make bold, confident moves that fuel growth and student success. 

    Whether you’re validating your instincts or exploring new academic directions, Collegis can help. Our market research and portfolio development services are built to support institutions at every step of the process — with national insights and regional specificity to guide your next move. 

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    Higher ed is evolving — don’t get left behind. Explore how Collegis can help your institution thrive.

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  • Employer Perceptions of Higher Ed Partnerships

    Employer Perceptions of Higher Ed Partnerships

    Facing challenges in enrollment, retention, or tech integration? Seeking growth in new markets? Our strategic insights pave a clear path for overcoming obstacles and driving success in higher education.

    Unlock the transformative potential within your institution – partner with us to turn today’s roadblocks into tomorrow’s achievements. Let’s chat.

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  • The Effect of Employer Understanding and Engagement on Non-Degree Credentials

    The Effect of Employer Understanding and Engagement on Non-Degree Credentials

    The Effect of Employer Understanding and Engagement on Non-Degree Credentials Report

    HoMore than 500 employers share their perceptions

    As the workforce evolves, many employers are considering the relevance and use of alternative credentials for upskilling or reskilling employees. This reimagining of workforce education provides an opportunity for higher ed leaders to partner with employers on microcredential programs that drive a funnel of enrollments.

    Collegis teamed up with UPCEA to survey more than 500 employers about their perceptions of microcredentials and interest in partnering with colleges and universities on these non-degree programs.

    Download the report to receive insights on:

    What incentivizes employers to work with higher ed institutions

    Employer valuation of alternative credentials

    Employer use of alternative credentials in lieu of degrees in the hiring process

    Download Now

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  • Rethinking Your Student Population

    Rethinking Your Student Population

    Rethink your student population whitepaper

    Adult learners are higher ed’s future

    Reskilling, upskilling and lifelong learning are creating a big opportunity for higher education to become the go-to resource for career-minded adults. But not all adult learners are alike. In this report, we break them down into four types of adult learners (Career Advancer, Career Builder, Discerning Academic and Hesitant Learner).

    Download the white paper with the following insights for each persona:

    • Top motivations
    • Recruitment strategies
    • Program optimization recommendations

    Collegis Education surveyed 1,000 adult learners interested in pursuing degrees for this white paper, Rethink Your Student Population. Discover who makes up the majority of the adult learner market and how to target your outreach to grow your enrollment in this untapped population.

    Also, get key takeaways in our infographic The Adult Learners You’re Ignoring.

    Download Now

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