How to increase student enrollment with AI

Higher education institutions are undoubtedly dealing with a lot. Facing declining enrollment and being tasked with getting more done with less, teams are going back to the drawing board to figure out how to attract, engage, support and retain students year after year. Adding to the challenge? More than ever before, students expect a personalized, multi-platform experience throughout their journey.

To stay competitive, institutions need scalable, high-impact strategies for increasing student enrollment. AI-powered solutions are revolutionizing student outreach and support, ensuring that every prospective and current student receives timely, personalized communication without overburdening staff.

Let’s explore how to increase student enrollment using AI-driven engagement strategies that make every interaction count.

Rethinking the traditional enrollment experience through an AI lens

Relevant, round-the-clock support is no longer just a preference for today’s students. They interact daily with brands that follow them platform to platform, showcasing an eagerness to connect 24/7—anytime, anywhere. Yet, many institutions still rely on outdated communication methods that don’t meet modern student expectations. AI-powered student engagement solutions help institutions connect with students at scale, offering instant, relevant, and personalized support.

According to research from the Education Advisory Board, institutions leveraging AI in student engagement have seen significant increases in student response rates, retention, and overall satisfaction, with 73% of survey respondents saying AI can make their jobs easier by reducing the amount of time spent on answering repetitive, high-volume questions. 

By integrating AI into enrollment and student support, institutions can ensure no student falls through the cracks—leading to stronger enrollment and retention outcomes.

3 AI-powered strategies for increasing student enrollment

So now that it’s clear integrating AI into your enrollment strategy is a must for setting up the institution—and its students—for future success and scalability, how can you make it happen? Here, we’ll break down three tactical ways to use AI to increase student enrollment.

1. Meet students where they are

One of the biggest barriers to increasing enrollment is communication gaps. Many institutions still rely primarily on email, yet data shows that students are far more responsive to text messages, social media, and personalized video outreach.

AI-powered solutions allow institutions to:

• Engage students where they are across channels—through text, chatbots, social media, and virtual events.
• Deliver real-time nudges and reminders about deadlines, financial aid, and next steps.
• Automate personalized responses based on student behavior and interests.

By implementing AI-driven communication, enrollment and student services teams can ensure that students receive the right message, at the right time, on the right platform, ultimately leading to higher response rates and increased enrollment.

2. Provide 24/7 student outreach and support

Imagine a prospective student researching financial aid options late at night. If they can’t find the answers they need, they may delay their application or worse, abandon it altogether. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants provide instant, 24/7 support, ensuring students get the help they need when they need it.

Teams that implement always-on student support see immediate results, like:

• Reduced barriers to enrollment by answering questions in real time.
• More staff time freed up by automating responses to common inquiries.
• Increased student engagement by guiding them through the enrollment process step by step.

Institutions using AI-powered student support tools have seen dramatic reductions in call volume while improving student satisfaction and application completion rates. 

For example, 75% of Bakersfield College students receive financial aid, so oftentimes, their staff was overwhelmed by having to answer hundreds of repetitive questions about things like FAFSA and application deadlines. After adopting Gravyty’s AI chatbot, the team saw a 30% decrease in support calls and emails, and saved a staggering $2 million dollars in resources.

3. Personalize the student enrollment experience

Every student has unique needs, concerns, and motivations. A one-size-fits-all approach to enrollment simply won’t cut it anymore. 

AI-powered engagement tools allow institutions to truly personalize the student experience at scale, by seamlessly segmenting and personalizing outreach based on student demographics, interests, and past interactions. AI tools can also automate tailored follow-ups that provide relevant resources and next steps. Not sure how to mitigate student churn from at-risk students? Use AI to identify those students early, and proactively offer support to keep them on track. 

Personalized enrollment experiences build trust and help students feel more connected to the institution which, over time, results in higher yield rates.

Don’t fall behind: The future of AI in higher education enrollment

Higher education is evolving rapidly, and change can be scary. But the fact is, AI isn’t going away. Institutions that embrace AI-driven enrollment strategies will be better positioned to navigate the challenges ahead. AI isn’t replacing human connection; it’s enhancing it by allowing staff to focus on high-value, relationship-building interactions. 

Institutions simply can’t afford to wait to rethink their engagement strategies. With teams forced to do more with less, and enrollment down, the time to transform your approach to student engagement is now. AI-powered tools are proven to increase student enrollment, improve student outreach and support, and maximize staff efficiency—all while providing a better experience for students.