Beyond the Latest Data from the National Student Clearinghouse
EducationDynamics Transforms Insights into Action for Higher Ed Leaders
The higher education landscape is in constant motion. To truly thrive, institutions committed to student success must not just keep pace but anticipate what’s next. The National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) recently released two crucial reports in June 2025—one on “some college, no credential” (SCNC) undergraduates and another on overall undergraduate student retention and persistence. These aren’t just statistics. They are the roadmap for strategic action.
At EducationDynamics, we don’t merely react to these insights. We proactively integrate them into data-driven solutions that empower our partners to excel. Our deep understanding of the higher education market, sharpened by years of proprietary research, allows us to translate these macro trends into micro-level strategies that deliver tangible results for your institution.
Strategic Implications from the NSC June Update
The latest NSC findings highlight several critical areas demanding immediate attention from higher education leaders:
Persistence and Retention Gaps
While overall persistence is at 78% and retention at 70%, a significant disparity exists. Bachelor’s and certificate-seeking students show much higher rates than those pursuing associate degrees. Generalized support isn’t enough. Tailored academic and financial aid advising, particularly for associate-degree pathways, is essential to prevent attrition at critical junctures.
The Part-Time Student Paradox
Persistence and retention rates for part-time students are a staggering 30% lower than their full-time peers. Part-time learners often juggle work and family. Institutions must design flexible and accessible support systems, including asynchronous learning, evening/weekend advising, and re-evaluating traditional program structures.
Sectoral Disparities
For-profit institutions demonstrate significantly lower retention and persistence rates compared to not-for-profit counterparts. Regardless of sector, consistent and proactive communication focused on evolving student needs is crucial. This means dedicated engagement strategies, not just reactive responses.
Equity in Outcomes
White and Asian students continue to exhibit the highest persistence and retention rates. Achieving equitable outcomes demands meticulously analyzing data by affinity group, identifying specific barriers faced by underserved populations, and then designing targeted, culturally competent support programs.
The Power of Re-Engagement
The share of re-enrollees earning a credential in their first year has increased by nearly five percent, with students who have at least two full years of credits being most likely to re-enroll and persist. Notably, 36% re-enroll at the same school. Your “stopped out” student population is a goldmine for re-enrollment. Proactive, personalized outreach, highlighting clear paths to completion, is a win-win for both institutions seeking to boost enrollment and students aiming to achieve their academic aspirations.
The Online Advantage
In almost all cases, a plurality of re-enrolling students chose primarily online schools. Even if your institution isn’t primarily online, a robust and well-promoted suite of online program options is vital. Flexibility in format and delivery is critical to meet the diverse needs of today’s learners.
Certificate Pathways as Catalysts
Nearly half of re-enrolled SCNC students who earned a credential in their first year attained an undergraduate certificate. Expanding and actively promoting undergraduate certificate programs, especially those aligning with in-demand skills or acting as stepping stones to degrees, can significantly boost completion rates among the SCNC population.
How EducationDynamics Turns Insights into Action for Our Partners
Tailored Support for the Modern Learner
We partner with institutions to develop AI-powered communication workflows and personalized engagement platforms that proactively address the specific needs of part-time, non-traditional, and diverse student populations. For instance, our work with one regional university saw a 15% increase in part-time student retention within two semesters by implementing automated check-ins and flexible advising scheduling based on our Engaging the Modern Learner report findings.
Optimizing Re-Engagement Pipelines
Our “Education Reengagement Report: Inspiring Reenrollment in Some College No Credential Students” anticipated the NSC’s findings on the SCNC population. We’ve since refined our “Lost Student Analysis” methodology, which identifies high-potential stopped-out students and crafts targeted re-enrollment campaigns. For a recent partner, this resulted in re-enrolling over 200 SCNC students in a single academic year, directly contributing to enrollment growth.
Strategic Program Portfolio Development
Understanding the demand for online and certificate options, we guide institutions in developing and promoting flexible program offerings. This includes comprehensive market research to identify in-demand certificate programs and optimizing their visibility through targeted marketing. Our expertise helps institutions strategically align their offerings with what NSC data shows students are seeking.
Equity-Driven Enrollment & Retention
We help institutions implement data segmentation and predictive analytics to identify students at risk of stopping out based on various demographic and academic factors. This enables early intervention and the allocation of resources to underserved groups, fostering a more equitable and supportive learning environment.
Proactive Market Intelligence
Our partners gain an unparalleled advantage with early access to our market research reports and bespoke analyses. These reports, often preceding or complementing national findings like the NSC’s, provide actionable recommendations that allow institutions to adapt their strategies ahead of the curve, rather than playing catch-up.
Your Partner in Data-Driven Student Success
EducationDynamics is more than a service provider. We are a strategic partner dedicated to empowering higher education leaders with the insights and tools needed to navigate an evolving landscape and maximize student success. We combine cutting-edge market intelligence with proven strategies, transforming data into actionable plans that boost retention, drive re-enrollment and foster a truly student-centric institution.