Caylor Solutions

Have you ever assumed a college was “too expensive”… without really knowing the actual cost?

You’re not alone—and today’s students are doing the same thing.

In fact, 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗲.

That means schools are losing students before they even have a chance to explain financial aid or net price.

In this post, we explore:
✔ Why students overestimate cost
✔ How early assumptions shape decisions
✔ What colleges can do to fix it

If you care about helping students make informed decisions, this is worth a read.

👉 Read more here: https://www.caylor-solutions.com/higher-ed-affordability-myths/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=Caylor%20Solutions&utm_content=How%20to%20Battle%20Higher%20Ed%20Affordability%20Myths%20Before%20the%20Inquiry%20Stage

How to Battle Higher Ed Affordability Myths Before the Inquiry Stage Higher ed affordability myths cause 55% of students to rule out colleges early. Learn how to fix cost perception before the inquiry stage.

Higher ed marketers spend a lot of time talking about TikTok and Instagram.

But when it comes to graduate enrollment and adult learners, 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Why?

Because 𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 are often evaluating credibility more than entertainment.

They want to know:
• Will this degree help me professionally?
• Do graduates from this institution succeed?
• Does this school understand today’s workforce realities?
• Can I trust this institution with my future?

In this article, I explore 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴.

If your institution serves graduate students, adult learners, or professional programs, this conversation matters.

Read the full post: https://www.caylor-solutions.com/higher-ed-linkedin-marketing/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=Caylor%20Solutions&utm_content=Why%20Higher%20Ed%20LinkedIn%20Marketing%20Matters%20for%20Graduate%20Enrollment

Why Higher Ed LinkedIn Marketing Matters for Graduate Enrollment Learn how higher ed LinkedIn marketing helps colleges build trust, strengthen reputation, and support graduate enrollment growth.

Students don’t 𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲𝘀 only through brochures and websites anymore.

They evaluate them the same way they evaluate restaurants, products, and experiences: through creators, reviews, comments, and peer recommendations.

That shift has major implications for 𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Read “𝘗𝘦𝘦𝘳-𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘌𝘥: 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘗𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨”

👉 https://www.caylor-solutions.com/peer-generated-content-for-higher-ed/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=Caylor%20Solutions&utm_content=Peer-Generated%20Content%20for%20Higher%20Ed%3A%20Why%20Students%20Trust%20Peers%20More%20Than%20Your%20Marketing

Peer-Generated Content for Higher Ed: Why Students Trust Peers More Than Your Marketing Peer-Generated Content for Higher Ed helps universities build trust through authentic student stories, TikTok, and campus life content.

Feeling like your institution is getting lost in the crowd?

You’re not alone.

Many colleges are working hard, but saying the same things as everyone else.

This blog explores a simple but powerful idea: 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 doesn’t require a bigger budget, it requires 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆.

Take a look at how a strong 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 can help your college connect with the right students.

👉 https://www.caylor-solutions.com/higher-ed-branding-strategy/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=Caylor%20Solutions&utm_content=Higher%20Ed%20Branding%20Strategy%3A%20Be%20a%20Zebra%20in%20a%20Herd%20of%20Horses

Higher Ed Branding Strategy: Be a Zebra in a Herd of Horses Higher ed branding strategy for crowded markets. Learn how to stand out and attract mission-fit students for your school.

Students are researching colleges long before they ever fill out an inquiry form.

That’s creating a growing population of “stealth applicants” who quietly move through the enrollment journey without traditional engagement signals.

The 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗘𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 found that 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝘄𝗼-𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱𝘀 of students expect colleges to understand their interests before they ever identify themselves.

That’s a major shift for enrollment marketing teams.

In our latest blog post, we explore:
🎓 Why stealth applicants are increasing
🎓 Why generic messaging pushes students away
🎓 How personalization now begins before inquiry
🎓 What enrollment leaders should do next

Caylor Solutions was proud to sponsor this important research alongside other higher education leaders.

Read the blog: https://www.caylor-solutions.com/stealth-applicants-report/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=Caylor%20Solutions&utm_content=What%20Stealth%20Applicants%20Reveal%20About%20Enrollment%20Marketing

Download the full report: https://go.capturehighered.com/the-enrollment-engagement-report-2026?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=Caylor%20Solutions&utm_content=What%20Stealth%20Applicants%20Reveal%20About%20Enrollment%20Marketing

What Stealth Applicants Reveal About Enrollment Marketing Stealth applicants are reshaping enrollment marketing. Learn why new students expect personalized outreach before inquiry.

Most enrollment teams are working harder than ever…
…but something feels off.

Inquiry volume looks fine, but doesn’t convert.
Applications stall.
Visits don’t convert like they used to.
Discount rates keep creeping up.

It’s not effort - it’s timing.

According to the Enrollment Engagement Report, 𝟱𝟯% 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆.

That means decisions are being shaped before you even know the student exists.

This is what we call the 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹.

And if you don’t understand it, you’re optimizing for a moment that happens too late.

We broke this down in a new post—what it is, why it matters, and what to do about it.

Read the full post 👉 https://www.caylor-solutions.com/higher-education-dark-funnel/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=Caylor%20Solutions&utm_content=The%20Higher%20Education%20Dark%20Funnel%3A%20Why%2053%25%20of%20Students%20Act%20Before%20You%20Ever%20Hear%20From%20Them

The Higher Education Dark Funnel: Why 53% of Students Act Before You Ever Hear From Them The higher education dark funnel explains why 53% of students act before inquiring. Learn how to identify intent earlier and improve enrollment strategy.

What happens when students stop searching… and start asking AI instead?

The rise of ChatGPT, Gemini, and AI-powered search is changing how prospective students discover higher education programs — especially online short-term programs.

In our latest blog post, we explore 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗔𝗘𝗢 (𝗔𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻) 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.

If your institution offers:

✔️ Online certificates
✔️ Workforce programs
✔️ Accelerated credentials
✔️ Adult learner pathways

…this conversation matters 𝗻𝗼𝘄.

Read the full article here: https://www.caylor-solutions.com/aeo-for-online-short-term-programs/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=Caylor%20Solutions&utm_content=AEO%20for%20Online%20Short-Term%20Programs%3A%20Why%20Higher%20Ed%20Can%27t%20Ignore%20AI%20Search

AEO for Online Short-Term Programs: Why Higher Ed Can’t Ignore AI Search Learn why AEO for online short-term programs is becoming essential for higher ed marketers as AI search reshapes student discovery.