Small colleges and universities have long been pillars of close-knit communities, providing personalized education and fostering a sense of belonging among their students. However, in recent years, many small institutions have faced increasing challenges: declining enrollment, budget constraints, and the demand for broader academic offerings. Amid these pressures, program sharing has emerged as a potentially transformative solution, allowing small colleges to not only survive but thrive. Here's why program sharing is especially beneficial for small colleges and universities.
One of the most significant challenges small colleges face is the limitation of their academic catalog. With fewer faculty members and smaller budgets, it can be difficult to offer specialized programs or courses that cater to niche or nascent student interests. Program sharing enables small colleges to tap into a wider network of resources, providing access to courses, instructors, and expertise that would otherwise be unattainable or prohibitively expensive. High-demand programs such as Cybersecurity, Data Science, or Supply Chain Management can be costly to develop, staff, and maintain, but with program sharing, small colleges and universities can offer them for less than a tenth of the cost it would take to build them in house.
Today's students are increasingly seeking institutions that can prepare them for the workforce with relevant, in-demand skills. By participating in program sharing consortia, small colleges can offer competitive programs without the need for additional faculty hires or costly infrastructure investments. This not only attracts prospective students but also helps retain current students who might otherwise transfer to larger institutions for specialized programs. According to a report by EAB that examined 80 variables to identify the factors that most strongly influence the attraction of prospective students to an institution, the number of majors was the most significant driver.
Unlike mergers or acquisitions, which can dilute the unique identity of a small college, program sharing allows these institutions to preserve their individuality. Small colleges can retain their culture, mission, and close-knit community while benefiting from the resources and expertise of a larger network. We fervently believe the campus experience is magical and the hybrid program sharing model ensures that students receive both a personalized educational experience, an in-person campus community, and access to broader opportunities.
Financial sustainability is a pressing concern for many small colleges. Program sharing provides a cost-effective way to expand academic offerings without the overhead of developing and staffing new programs independently. By pooling resources across a consortium, colleges can share the financial burden of curriculum development, instructor training, and technology integration. These savings can be reinvested in other areas, such as student support services or campus improvements. A survey by the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) revealed that shared services and consortia saved participating institutions an average of 12-18% on program delivery costs. Learn more about realizing the ROI of program sharing.
Program sharing fosters collaboration among institutions, creating a sense of community and mutual support. Small colleges can share best practices, leverage collective program and/or course needs to drive new program development, and innovate together in ways that benefit both students and faculty. For example, some members of the Lower Cost Model Consortium (LCMC) struggled to recruit and retain non-athlete students and Rize's Enrollment Team developed a playbook on engaging non-athletes based on shared learnings from across the consortium. This collaborative approach strengthens the overall higher education ecosystem, ensuring that small colleges remain a vital part of it.
Through program sharing, small colleges can offer programs that align with workforce demands and emerging industries. These partnerships often include integrated career pathways, internships, and industry certifications, equipping students with the skills and credentials needed to succeed in the job market. While integrating career readiness skills into curriculum and developing these partnerships can be done internally, uncovering pathways to fulfilling employment for every student can be challenging. By offering these opportunities, small colleges can better fulfill their mission of preparing graduates for meaningful careers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs in fields like data science and cybersecurity will grow by 35% and 33%, respectively, by 2031, underscoring the importance of having dynamic program offerings that can adapt to shifting labor market demands in areas like these.
In a rapidly changing higher education landscape, program sharing represents an area of opportunity for small colleges. By collaborating with organizations like Rize, institutions can overcome market challenges, expand educational opportunities for students, and continue to provide the personalized, high-quality education they are known for. With program sharing, small colleges don’t just stay relevant—they lead the way in innovation and student success.
