NAFSA Commissioned Research

Landscape of Pathway Partnerships in the U.S.

Principal Researcher:

Rahul Choudaha, PhD, DrEducation, LLC (Rahul@DrEducation.com)

Manager:

Joann Ng Hartmann, Senior Director, IEM-ISS Services, NAFSA (joannnh@nafsa.org)

nafsa.org/pathwayprograms/

Why this research? Why now?

• The process of considering and implementing pathway partnerships has implications for campus stakeholders in different roles, including recruitment and admissions, academic services, and related support services.

• Members from diverse higher education institutions can make informed choices and enhance the impact of their international enrollment strategies

• “With this research, our intention is to identify current models and key factors in decision-making to advance the field of knowledge for the benefit of our members. This research does not make comparisons amongst providers.”

What is not covered in this research?

× No comparison amongst provider

× No evaluation of specific partnership

Approach

Phase 1: Secondary data

• Review of research literature, news articles, websites of pathway providers and various data sources [Open Doors (2015), NCES CollegeNavigator (Fall 2014), U.S. News Rankings (2015) and Carnegie Classification (2015)] to

> Develop a working definition and typology of pathway partnerships

> Identify characteristics of institutions partnering with pathway providers

• 45 higher education institutions partnering with eight pathway providers

• Share the summary at NAFSA Denver conference

Approach

Phase 2: Primary data

• Focus groups in Denver and subsequent survey of relevant NAFSA members to examine the complexity and diversity of decision-making processes related to pathway partnerships by taking a deeper dive into rationales, considerations and experiences of international educators.

• Release final report in Fall 2016

Working Definition

• “Pathway providers are private third-party entities partnering with institutions to recruit international students and offer English-language preparation with academic coursework applicable toward graduation requirements.”

Typology

• Pathway partnerships come with wide variations. Here are two broad models differing in terms of extent of cost and revenue-sharing.

• Under “Reimbursement” model pathway provider invests and institution is reimbursed for expenses. Under “Joint Venture” model institution shares the costs, risks and corresponding rewards.

Two Models Reimbursement Joint Venture

Start-up Cost None Shared

Academic Delivery Shared Institution

Time Commitment Medium term Long term

Staffing Pathway hires Institution hires

Enrollment Goals Medium High

Revenue-sharing Low High

Institutional Characteristics

• Location: 44% are located in three states: NY (8), MA (8), FL (4)

• Public/Private: 53% are public institutions

• Basic Carnegie Classification: 51% are “Doctoral Universities”

• Median Tuition and Fees (non-resident for public institutions): US$ 29,700

• US News Ranking: 56% do not have “National Ranking”, (Middle 80% Range of “National Ranking”: 89-168)

Enrollment Profile (Fall 2014)

Combined enrollment at 45 institutions.

• Total Enrollment: 704,408 (Median=12,856)

• Undergraduate Enrollment: 523,097 (Median =7,706)

• Undergraduate as a % of Total Enrollment: 74%

• Undergraduate Admitted = 72% (Median)

Combined international enrollment at 45 institutions including pathway partnership and direct enrollment.

• International Enrollment: 56,538 (Median=642)

• 5.8% of all international students in the US

• 65% of all international students are in 10 institutions

Questions/Comments

nafsa.org/pathwayprograms/

Survey in SummerReport in Fall

Principal Researcher: Rahul Choudaha (Rahul@DrEducation.com)

Manager: Joann Ng Hartmann (joannnh@nafsa.org)

NAFSA e-Learning Seminar: Pathway Programs: Key Considerations and Strategies

Tuesday, July 12, 2016, 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (EST)http://bit.ly/PathWAYSw