A New Strategy to Achieve Sustained Results
The Enrollment Partnership That’s Helping One Private University Outpace the Market
- type
- Large Private
- location
- Midwest
Impact Highlights*
73%
Increase in freshman enrollments from 2022–2024
81%
Increase in freshman net tuition revenue from 2022–2024
*As of Fall 2024
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Challenges
After announcing a tuition reset, this downtown Chicago university sought to align its enrollment and aid strategy with its new pricing. With the price point already established, the challenge was clear: attract students with the ability to pay, while maintaining access and improving retention. At the same time, the university needed to build awareness among sophomores and juniors and find new ways to showcase its vertical, urban campus to prospective students who couldn’t visit in person.
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Solutions
In 2022, the university partnered with EAB to tackle these issues. Using Enroll360’s Aid Solution, the university optimized its financial aid strategy to attract students who could afford the new price point, supporting access and retention. Through Cultivate, the university launched a focused campaign targeting sophomores and juniors, expanding reach into Michigan and generating a dramatic increase in early-funnel engagement. A new virtual tour also helped bring the downtown campus experience to life for prospective students across the country.
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Results
From 2022 to 2024, submitted applications increased 7%. First-year enrollment rose 73% during this time period, with an additional 4% increase projected in 2025. Net Tuition Revenue increased by 81% from 2022 to 2024, with an additional 30% of growth anticipated into 2025. EAB’s partnership has equipped the university with the tools and insights necessary to drive enrollment and financial success well into the future.
Cultivate Drives Early Engagement to Fuel the Funnel
Creative Strategy Meets Market Insights
To strengthen early-funnel engagement, the university partnered with EAB to launch a customized Cultivate campaign, a behaviorally-responsive campaign targeting sophomores, juniors, and their parents. Together, EAB and Roosevelt:
- Built awareness early in the college search process
- Expanded research into new markets including Michigan
- Delivered personalized messaging based on student behavior
- Generated new inquiries and kept the university top of mind
In a crowded market, Cultivate helped the university break through noise and build a stronger, earlier connection with future applicants.
Elevating the Role of Financial Aid in Institutional Success
Financial Aid That Fuels Growth
EAB’s Aid solution helped the university take a data-driven approach to financial aid, sourcing students with income levels amenable to the university’s tuition. This strategy aimed to help the university increase tuition revenue while sourcing students who are less likely to “melt” for financial reasons. Together, EAB and Roosevelt:
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Built tailored aid models
and aligned policy strategy with enrollment goals
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Monitored award activity
to stay responsive throughout the cycle
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Increased net tuition revenue
significantly over two years, with more growth projected in EC25
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Continue to lower the discount rate
even after a bold tuition reset
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Improved student quality
reaching an average GPA of 3.08 in 2024 and projected 3.11 in 2025
By understanding their inquiry pool and shaping aid strategy in real time, the university turned financial aid into a lever for long-term success.
A Campus Like No Other, Just a Click Away
Bringing Roosevelt’s Unique Campus Experience to Students, Wherever They Are
Student-Focused Tour Stop Features
Immersive Motion Graphics (IMGs) add supplemental information to tour stops
Featured videos link branded university videos on a range of topics students are interested in
Virtual class demos give students a virtual look at a typical on-campus experience
Using two dozen tailored tour stops, Roosevelt University highlights the many student experiences that unfold across its one-of-a-kind skyscraper campus.
Collaborative EAB Partnership Yields Results
Beyond the Partnership
In addition to Enroll360 initiatives, EAB provided training sessions for staff focused on yield strategies and conducted workshops for the Cabinet and the president on emerging trends and future-proofing the institution.
Over two years, EAB representatives visited Roosevelt University three times, fostering hands-on support and collaboration.
This partnership reflects a collaborative approach grounded in shared insight, trust, and strategic alignment. EAB worked alongside the university as a thought partner, supporting them in navigating complex challenges with greater clarity and focus. More than a typical vendor relationship, this collaboration contributed to meaningful outcomes and helped strengthen the university’s capacity to adapt and lead in a competitive environment.
