Exploring Online and Hybrid Academic Program Development for Enrollment Growth in Higher Education
In today’s competitive and rapidly evolving academic landscape, higher education institutions are under increasing pressure to offer flexible, high-quality learning experiences that meet the demands of modern students. Online learning and hybrid programs have emerged as critical strategies for attracting and retaining students, especially as education moves towards more accessible and technology-driven models.
According to McKinsey & Company, 65% of college students want a portion of their education to be virtual. However, many higher education institutions face challenges in building robust online programs, with only 22% of chief online officers reporting that their faculty have experience creating online courses (Changing Landscape of Higher Education report).
Institutions exploring online and hybrid offerings have four primary options: in-house development, online program management (OPMs), course sharing and program sharing. Each comes with unique considerations regarding cost, effort, and potential enrollment impact. Let’s dive into these options to help your institution determine the best path forward.
1. In-House Online Program Development
Building online programs internally offers complete control over academic quality and alignment with institutional values. However, it is resource-intensive and comes with financial risks. Research shows that launching a program in-house can cost over $500K, and only 30% of new programs succeed in enrolling more than 10 students in the first year (Burning Glass Industries).
- Pros: Content ownership, academic rigor, potential enrollment growth.
- Cons: High costs, significant staffing and maintenance needs, and elevated risk.
2. Online Program Management (OPMs)
OPMs provide a turnkey solution by outsourcing content development, student recruitment, and support services. They enable higher education institutions to quickly launch programs with minimal effort but typically operate on revenue-sharing models, taking up to 60% of tuition revenue. This can limit institutional flexibility and financial autonomy.
- Pros: Low effort, risk mitigation, enrollment growth potential.
- Cons: High long-term costs, limited control, potential regulatory challenges.
3. Course Sharing
Course sharing allows institutions to collaborate on individual courses for credit, addressing short-term needs like faculty shortages or specialized topics. While cost-effective, it doesn’t significantly boost enrollment and may introduce variability in academic quality.
- Pros: Low cost, low risk, flexible access.
- Cons: Limited impact on enrollment, administrative complexity, inconsistent quality.
4. Program Sharing
Program sharing blends the advantages of course sharing and OPMs by offering bundled services like academic and enrollment support alongside shared online courses. This model enhances academic consistency, reduces costs, and improves enrollment outcomes, making it ideal for smaller institutions.
- Pros: Lower cost than OPMs, scalable enrollment impact, guaranteed academic quality.
- Cons: Requires campus-wide buy-in and thoughtful integration.
Conclusion
Selecting the right model for online and hybrid program development is a strategic decision that depends on your institution’s size, priorities, and financial health. While OPMs may suit larger higher education institutions, program sharing offers an attractive middle ground for smaller colleges, balancing affordability, academic quality, and enrollment growth potential. Additionally, in-house development allows institutions with strong faculty and technical capabilities to retain complete control over their program design, ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
Regardless of the chosen model, the ultimate goal remains the same: to meet the evolving expectations of students, deliver high-quality education, and position the institution for long-term success in a competitive market.
MITR Learning Media supports higher education institutions in designing impactful online and hybrid programs tailored to their unique needs. Our expertise spans program design, faculty training, technology integration, and content development, ensuring that your offerings are not only innovative but also aligned with student and institutional goals. Let us guide you in navigating this evolving landscape to meet student expectations and drive institutional success.
Reach out to us today to explore how we can empower your next phase of online program development.
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