Analytics
The National Association of College and University Business Officers recognizes that higher education institutions are under increasing pressure to find new efficiencies at their institutions and to demonstrate that they are being good stewards of public dollars.
Colleges and universities are embracing analytics and using data, technology, and specialized knowledge to answer questions, reveal institutional needs, predict outcomes, or improve financial performance.
Accelerating Analytics
Findings from the 2019 NACUBO Study of Analytics showed that business officers want to further integrate the use of data and analytics into their work. However, findings also demonstrated challenges to leveraging analytics at higher education institutions.
NACUBO launched a new resource series, Accelerating Analytics, to provide members with briefs that offer awareness, knowledge, guidance that can support their efforts to in building data-informed decision-making practices at their institutions.
The following resources are available to members:
2019 NACUBO Study of Analytics
The 2019 NACUBO Analytics Study examined the use of analytics in higher education from the business officer perspective. Findings show that although colleges and universities are leveraging analytics to inform decisions, business officers think analytics should be used to a greater extent. However, findings also reveal cultural and capacity barriers to the integration and use of analytics.
Access the StudyIn addition to the report, two infographics that illustrate report highlights and an op-ed, Analytics is a Skill, Not a Tool, are available.
Collaborative Statement on Analytics
Analytics can save higher education. Really. This new statement, a collaborative effort between the Association for Institutional Research, EDUCAUSE, and NACUBO, is now available at www.changewithanalytics.com.
Colleges and universities are increasingly charged to navigate challenges—from new enrollment trends to a heightened focus on student outcomes and from public questions about the value of a degree to concerns about equity. Analytics is a key that can support campus leaders, including business officers, in making mission-critical decisions. Use the six principles outlined in the statement to begin to tap into the power of analytics on your campus.
Analytics: Informing Decisions in Higher Education
In preparation for NACUBO’s first Integrating Analytics Forum in 2018, the Analytics Advisory Group designed the Higher Education Data Analytics Framework to guide the program’s curriculum development. Recognizing that students are our most important constituent group, the group identified culture, capacity, analytical questions, and return on investment as key components of the framework for understanding how analytics informs decisions in higher education.
Business Officer Magazine
Review articles related to higher education’s integration of analytics to achieve institutional strategic goals.
Integrating analytics campuswide can support decision-makers across the institution in using data to support students, allocate resources, and achieve mission-critical goals. However, the analytics journey can be fraught with obstacles. In this article, leaders from three campuses explain ways they addressed the challenges to integrating analytics at their institutions.
In this article, an analytics expert discusses the critical role of data analytics in empowering campus leaders and staff to advance their institution's mission and improve student outcomes.
NACUBO president and CEO, Susan Whealler Johnston, makes the case for the use of analytics for strategic decision making in higher education; to propel analytics initiatives, business officers must participate in campuswide collaboration.
This article calls attention to the importance of having appropriate data analytics policies and practices in place to ensure institutions are equipped to ensure ethical use of analytics and assure student privacy.
In Tandem
The authors of this article, one a chief analytics officer and the other a chief information officer, give insights into the importance of collaboration in campus efforts to make data-informed decisions to advance the college mission.
Connecting the Dots
In this article, the authors explain how data, department goals, and their institution’s strategic plan are intertwined and how analytics have improved decision making.
What’s in Your Data?
The authors of this article share case studies from institutions that used predictive analytics to forecast enrollment, optimize financial aid, and improve student success.
Data 411
This article describes the value data in the decision making processes for colleges and universities and highlights the role of chief business officers in facilitating a data-informed culture.
Multipurpose Data
This feature article explores several campus examples of informed decision making and discusses the emphasis NACUBO will be placing on “integrating analytics to inform decision making” in 2018.
Webcasts
Dude, Where’s My Data? Leveraging Data Governance to Improve Analytics
Expert panelists describe their data governance journeys, including their data governance structures, their pain points and celebrations, and how they leveraged data governance to support a campus culture that embraces analytics.
Learn about a proven approach that uses comprehensive, integrated data analytics to select, plan, and manage academic programs.
Analytics to Predict Student Enrollment, Retention, and Success
See how a predictive analytics model can inform financial aid decisions and help students succeed.
The ROI of Student Success
An expert panel shares an in-depth example of financial modeling and continuous improvement at a community college and other types of institutions across the country.
Program Costing: Increasing Net Revenue through Efficiency
The Minnesota School of Nursing uses analytics to enhance revenue by making informed scheduling decisions to better meet student needs.
