As colleges and universities grapple with declining enrollment and increasing financial pressure, a new white paper from Acadeum points to a collaborative solution: course sharing.
The report, titled “If You Love Them, Let Them Go,” highlights how allowing students to take courses at partner institutions can improve retention, support on-time graduation and generate significant revenue.
The report comes at a time when U.S. undergraduate enrollment has dropped 15% since 2010 and the pending “demographic cliff” threatens further declines. Many students are unable to complete their degrees on time because required courses aren’t offered when or how they need them.
According to recent national data cited in the white paper, 57% of students are in programs where degree completion is delayed due to limited course access.
Course sharing allows students to take approved, credit-bearing courses through other institutions within a trusted network. These courses count toward GPA, financial aid and graduation requirements, offering a flexible path for students to stay on track.
Universities see results with course sharing
Data from the University of Mount Union and Angelo State University illustrate the success of a course sharing model.
At the University of Mount Union, course sharing expanded offerings during the summer when many students previously took courses elsewhere. Since adopting the model, Mount Union tripled summer enrollment and quadrupled summer revenue, bringing in nearly $1.1 million in 2024 alone.
“We went from being 20 years behind to being a leader in online education and course sharing,” said Bryan J. Boatright, associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of graduate, digital and continued learning at Mount Union. “More importantly, it has demonstrated to our faculty that by partnering with other institutions via course sharing, we can grow our own numbers in new and profound ways.”
Angelo State University also saw measurable success. Since fall 2021, 370 students have earned Angelo State credit by taking courses taught at other accredited institutions. By helping those students stay enrolled and complete needed courses, the university generated an estimated $2.85 million in additional tuition revenue over the past three years.
The paper’s foreword, written by Melanie Gottlieb, executive director of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset.
A mindset for a sustainable future
“In a time of shifting enrollment trends and financial pressures, the future of higher education lies in collaboration, not competition,” Gottlieb wrote. “When institutions work together, they can advance learning mobility through the recognition and application of credit while creating more opportunities for learners to persist, graduate, and thrive—proving that collaboration is the key to a stronger, more resilient higher education system.”
Course sharing is not just a short-term solution—it’s a long-term strategy, according to Acadeum CEO Richard Keaveny. It ensures students stay on track to graduate while allowing colleges to retain more learners and make full use of their academic offerings.
