Are your dual enrollment students sticking around?

Dual-enrollment programs are growing nationwide with nearly 2.5 million high schools students taking at least one dual enrollment course in the 2022-2023 academic year. While these programs give students a head start on college, they also raise an important question: How can we encourage dual-enrolled students to continue their education with us after graduation?

As a Strategic Leader for EAB’s CRM, Navigate360, I work with community colleges and four-year institutions that rely on dual enrollment as a pipeline for local student recruitment. Below are four strategies I’ve seen schools use to enroll these students after they graduate high school.

1. Offer tailored advising on accelerated degree pathways, with follow-up support

Community colleges offer programs that can be accelerated with the credits accumulated in high school. However, dual enrollment students may be unaware of these cost-efficient options. A recent EAB survey on college search behavior found that 26% of high school students selected “whether I’ll be successful in college” as a top concern, ranking just behind affordability concerns. Many feel overwhelmed by degree pathways, unsure how their current credits fit into a long-term plan.

To ease student concerns, advisors should structure their outreach campaigns and appointments to build on dual enrolled students’ understanding of how their current college classes translate into an academic career at the institution. Custom course plans outlining a clear academic trajectory help students feel confident about continuing their education.

Regular follow-ups reinforce this guidance, keeping students engaged and accountable. Advisors who maintain contact after in-person meetings can also increase satisfaction and retention–a student’s sense of belonging can have a direct connection to persistence. Advisors using Navigate360 can automate post-appointment messages and update degree plans virtually, allowing for efficient, ongoing engagement. This reduces administrative workload while ensuring students receive timely, relevant information.

2. Launch an enrollment campaign focused on the value of staying at the institution

Many community colleges market themselves based on affordability, but that alone isn’t always enough to retain dual enrollment students. They should capitalize on the established relationship they have with high school students. Beyond cost savings, institutions should highlight teaching-focused faculty, strong transfer pathways, career-connected programs, and community partnerships to showcase the full value of staying at their institution.

Enrollment campaigns can be used to personalize outreach to dual-enrolled students, reinforcing why they should continue their education there. Platforms like Navigate360 allow enrollment and advising teams to send automated, data-driven messages encouraging students who haven’t yet committed to enroll. Strategic, personalized engagement can make a college stand out in a competitive market.

3. Provide step-by-step guidance for enrollment

The college enrollment process can feel overwhelming, particularly for students juggling high school and college coursework. A lack of clarity around application requirements, financial aid, and registration can lead to disengagement. Institutions can ease this stress by providing clear, actionable instructions for completing key steps in the process.

A recent EAB blog post on improving step-by-step student guidance suggests prioritizing the most confusing, retention-critical processes that have dedicated support staff. For dual enrollment students, this may include:

• Application requirements, including fee waivers
• Financial aid support
• Registration assistance, including how to contact advisors to develop a degree plan
• Orientation programs, to integrate students into campus life
• Career exploration tools, helping students align their coursework with future goals

A Community College Research Center study found that dual-enrolled students, especially from historically marginalized groups, want more support in understanding financial aid and managing college debt. Colleges can meet this need by connecting students to financial aid counseling and ensuring they have easy access to scholarship opportunities and FAFSA deadlines.

With Navigate360, advisors can assign students structured “journeys” that track their progress, flag incomplete steps, and provide reminders—all accessible via a mobile app or desktop. This approach ensures students stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.

4. Include dual enrollment students in early alert systems

Early alert systems help identify students who need support, but they’re often designed for traditional college students—overlooking unique dual enrollment challenges. This can include balancing high school extracurriculars, mastering the rigor and maturity required for college-level courses, and navigating the connection between coursework and career goals.

To better support dual enrollment students, faculty should tailor early alert feedback to reflect their needs. This includes monitoring assignment timeliness, meaningful engagement, and resource awareness. Advisors can use this feedback to proactively intervene, helping students navigate challenges before they disengage.

Institutions may also consider collaborating with high school counselors through the early alert system, ensuring students receive coordinated support from both institutions. By identifying at-risk students early, colleges can offer timely interventions, reinforcing institutional investment in their success.

Retaining dual enrollment students: The bottom line

Dual enrollment programs continue to expand, creating new opportunities for colleges to build long-term student pipelines. However, traditional retention strategies must be adapted to the needs of early college students.

By using technology-driven solutions, institutions can scale personalized engagement, making it easier for students to navigate their transition from high school to college. In an increasingly competitive higher education landscape, community colleges that effectively support dual-enrolled students will strengthen their retention efforts and build lasting student relationships.