Augusta University Online
Enrollment Growth Through Centralized Online Operations
Overview
Augusta University Online partnered with Archer Education to centralize its online operations, grow online enrollments, and improve enrollment efficiency as its portfolio expanded.
Paid Media
AI-Ready Organic Strategy
Enrollment Management
The Goal
Augusta University needed a partner to provide tailored strategic and operational support to attract, enroll, 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.
The Archer Approach
Archer collaborated with Augusta University to unify online programs under a central AU Online structure. This created a stronger student experience across marketing, admissions, and student support while building a scalable foundation for future growth.
Key elements of the approach included:
- Centralized Online Operations: Archer helped Augusta establish the systems, processes, and cross-team coordination needed to manage a growing portfolio of online programs. By aligning marketing, admissions, and student engagement under a unified strategy, Augusta was able to expand its online presence without rebuilding its enrollment infrastructure for each new program.
The partnership was designed to evolve. As Augusta developed its internal capabilities, responsibilities could transition back to the university in phases. - Enrollment-Focused Marketing: Archer developed and managed an integrated enrollment marketing strategy that included paid search, paid social, academic thought leadership, search engine optimization, and conversion-focused content.
Rather than optimizing for lead volume, Archer and Augusta based performance on outcomes that mattered most: applications, enrollments, growth, and cost per enrollment. - Program Expansion: With input from Augusta and Archer marketing data insights, new programs and concentrations were added to align with market demand and institutional goals. This feedback loop helped identify opportunities that supported student interest, program relevance, and enrollment growth.
- Partnership First: Open, ongoing communication between Archer and Augusta was a key factor in the partnership’s success. Continuous collaboration allowed both teams to solve problems quickly and stay aligned on objectives, timelines, and desired outcomes.
Partnership Outcomes
AU Online has exceeded its enrollment goal in every cohort while continuing to grow enrollment across its enrollment portfolio.
Enrollment Growth
AU Online has exceeded its enrollment goal in every cohort while continuing to grow enrollment across its enrollment portfolio.
More than doubled the original enrollment goal for the first Spring cohort.
Achieved 189% YoY enrollment growth in the Doctor of Education program.
Achieved 50% YoY enrollment growth in the Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies program.
Marketing Efficiency
Across the three most recent cohorts, average CPE declined by 30% compared to the first five cohorts.
In one Summer cycle, Augusta saw double digit enrollments growth while reducing media spend by 42%.
Continued enrollment growth while lowering acquisition costs.
Adjusted channel mix, targeting, and budgets based on application and enrollment performance.
Made more efficient use of paid media without sacrificing enrollment outcomes.
Creative
