AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY ONLINE
Enrollment Growth Through Centralized Online Operations
The Goal
Augusta University Online partnered with Archer Education to centralize operations over time and meet ambitious enrollment goals in a competitive market.
Augusta needed a partner to provide tailored strategic and operational support to attract and retain adult and online learners. Archer’s approach gave Augusta a pathway to scale quickly, build sustainable growth, and create a foundation for long-term online success, positioning AU Online as a leader in accessible, workforce-aligned education.
Centralize Operations: Unify online programs under a central team to streamline marketing, admissions, and student support.
Enrollment Growth: Increase enrollments across a suite of online programs and concentrations.
Brand Awareness: Enhance Augusta’s digital presence and overall brand visibility as a leading institution for online education.
The Archer Approach
Data-Driven Marketing: Archer employed a combination of digital PR, SEO, paid search, and social advertising to maximize lead generation and conversions. Both teams consistently monitored and adjusted marketing spend based on engagement and admissions performance data, leading to optimized campaigns and reduced costs.
Program Expansion: With input from both Augusta and marketing data insights, new programs and concentrations were added, aligning with market demand and institutional goals. This continuous feedback loop enabled the development of relevant programs that drove student interest and enrollment.
Partnership First: Open communication between teams was a key factor in the success of the partnership. This allowed for fast problem-solving and ensured both sides were aligned on objectives and timelines.
Partnership Highlights
Enrollment Growth
Over four terms, AU Online consistently exceeded its enrollment goals. Between Fall 2023 and Fall 2024, enrollments increased by 46.32%, with significant term-over-term growth.
Program Expansion
New programs and concentrations were added each term, contributing to the consistent growth in enrollments.
Cost Efficiency
Cost Efficiency: The cost per lead (CPL) decreased by 20% in 2024, reflecting more efficient marketing spending and higher lead quality.
Brand Lift
Augusta University and AU Online experienced a notable brand lift as a result of Archer’s marketing efforts, including increased awareness and reputation.
