How to Be a Small College in 2025 Webinar
PRODUCT

Maximizing Student Success and Retention: Why Your College Should Offer Summer Courses

Megan McCorkle
February 4, 2025
2 mins

Summer courses have long been recognized as a powerful tool for boosting student success. Yet many colleges and universities struggle to offer them due to staffing challenges, low enrollment concerns, and budget constraints. Rize Education is changing that.


For Summer 2025, all Rize partner institutions will have access to our full catalog of summer courses—at no additional subscription cost. That means your institution can support student retention, drive enrollment, and increase the value of your Rize subscription, all while offering high-demand, career-focused courses in fields like cybersecurity, project management, and financial planning.



The Data Is Clear: Summer Courses Improve Retention and Completion


Research confirms that summer enrollment significantly improves student outcomes:


30-32% more likely to re-enroll in the fall (Research in Higher Education)


7-16% more likely to graduate on time (UC San Diego Student Retention Research)


For smaller colleges, these retention gains can be especially meaningful. Retaining just a handful of students each year can significantly impact enrollment numbers and financial sustainability.



Breaking Down Barriers to Summer Enrollment


Many colleges hesitate to offer summer courses due to logistical hurdles. Faculty availability is limited, and the risk of low enrollment makes running summer classes financially risky. That’s where Rize comes in.


With Rize summer courses, your institution can:


Expand course offerings without faculty constraints – Students can enroll in market-driven courses taught by expert instructors.


Eliminate financial risk – No additional subscription fees mean you can offer summer courses without worrying about minimum enrollments.


Increase flexibility for students – Two summer terms allow students to balance coursework with jobs, internships, and travel.



Unlock More Value from Your Rize Partnership


By leveraging Rize summer courses, you’re not just improving student outcomes—you’re making the most of your partnership. With open access to our summer catalog, you can provide students with skill-based learning opportunities that enhance their career readiness, strengthen your retention efforts, and drive enrollment growth.


Make Summer 2025 the season your institution maximizes student success. Email your Partner Success Lead or fill out the form below today to learn more!

Ready to learn more?

Fill out the form below and someone from our Academic Partnerships team will be in touch with you shortly.