The Christian College Crisis: The Fate of Faith-Based Education

Hosts Mallory and Seth tackle the critical and complex challenges facing faith-based institutions, particularly Christian colleges. With a special focus on the startling rate of institutional closures, the discussion dives into the shifting landscapes of enrollment, market demands, and religious affiliation.Key Takeaways:Enrollment Trends: Christian colleges are facing a notable decline in enrollment and school closures that have spiked post-pandemic.Market Dynamics: Shifts in market demand away from liberal arts to more career-oriented outcomes and increased price sensitivity are notably affecting faith-based institutions.Cultural Shifts: A national move away from religious affiliation is putting additional pressure on faith-based schools.Regional Influences: Geographic location plays a significant role, with institutions in the Bible Belt experiencing sustained interest compared to those in the Northeast facing severe declines.Strategic Responses: Successful strategies for growth include diversifying academic offerings, clarifying brand differentiation beyond just being a Christian institution, and innovative tuition models.Related Links:https://universitybusiness.com/after-exhausting-all-avenues-to-avoid-going-under-notre-dame-college-closeshttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-21/notre-dame-s-tiny-namesake-shows-plight-of-religious-colleges?embedded-checkout=truehttps://www.highereddive.com/news/are-faith-based-colleges-in-trouble-it-depends/690597/
- - - -Connect With Our Co-Hosts:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaSeth Odell https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethodell/https://twitter.com/sethodellAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com. Connect with Us at the Engage Summit:Exciting news — Mallory will be at the 2024 Engage Summit in Raleigh, NC, on June 25 and 26, and we’d love to meet you there! Sessions will focus on cutting-edge AI applications that are reshaping student outreach, enhancing staff productivity, and offering deep insights into ROI. Use the discount code Enrollify50 at checkout, and you can register for just $200! Learn more and register at engage.element451.com — we can’t wait to see you there!