Category: Retention

2026, College Access, Retention, Student Success

Two Roads Less Traveled: Rolling the Dice with Educational Opportunity

By Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute There has been recent talk about TRIO programs and funding issues due to pressures from the Trump Administration. The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) fought hard to retain their funding, which they were able to do successfully (DISCLOSURE: I served as Vice President for Research and founding Executive Director of the Pell Institute at … Continue reading Two Roads Less Traveled: Rolling the Dice with Educational Opportunity

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2021, admissions, College Access, College Affordability, Research/Policy, Retention, Student Success

Does Money Trump Academics? No.

by Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scientist I received an email from EAB this morning that proclaimed “Financial pressure is the top reason that students leave college,” complete with a link to how technology can help. Then I paused. I’m not going to say that EAB is wrong on this. Financial pressures, let alone ability to pay, are significant barriers to postsecondary access … Continue reading Does Money Trump Academics? No.

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2020, admissions, Financial Aid, Politics, Research/Policy, Retention

Is This the Time to Right-Size Higher Education?

By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scholar, Educational Policy Institute Last night, the Senate was unable to pass an $1.8 billion stimulus bill over a variety of issues, some of which are known and some not. Of those we know, included was the Democrats sense that there is not adequate funding to protect and support higher education. A second issue is the level of … Continue reading Is This the Time to Right-Size Higher Education?

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2020, Retention, ROI/College Outcomes, Student Success

The Demographic Challenge of Higher Education

By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scientist, Educational Policy Institute Most postsecondary institutions across the country are experiencing sharp and steady declines in enrollment. This is for two primary reasons: demographic and economic trends. In 2010, the US hit a peak of college-aged students that has since been on a slow decline. The chart below illustrates both the decline and the projected enrollment until … Continue reading The Demographic Challenge of Higher Education

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2020, Retention, Student Success

So, You Want to Increase Student Retention?

By Dr. Watson Scott Swail, President & Senior Research Scientist, Educational Policy Institute We talk with people at campuses across the US about issues related to student retention and success. Over the years, we have worked with thousands of people and hundreds of institutions. Everyone, to the person, wants to see their retention, persistence, and graduation rates increase. Rarely do they succeed. If everyone is so driven … Continue reading So, You Want to Increase Student Retention?

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