University of Maine System student return rate hits historic high

Maine's public universities are experiencing their highest enrollment in three years, in part because efforts to improve student retention are bringing a greater percentage of undergraduates back this fall than ever before

ORONO, Maine - Innovations in supporting student success have resulted in a record return rate to the University of Maine System (UMS).

More than three-quarters of all degree and certificate-seeking undergraduate students who were enrolled at one of Maine's public universities last fall and eligible to continue their studies there this fall did so, according to an official Oct. 15 census.

The 75.7% fall-to-fall return rate (External Site) is the highest since 2004, when the System began collecting this data. An additional 1.3% of students returned to another UMS university. Not included in these calculations are the nearly 4,000 learners enrolled last fall who have since completed their bachelor's degree or credential.

Notably, the System's return rate for undergraduates from Maine was even higher, at 76.9%, up from 73% five years ago, and is 83.1% for in-state students enrolled full-time.

The record return rate has contributed to the System hitting a three-year enrollment high of 25,286 students, not including nearly 5,300 high school students earning free early college credit. It also means more Mainers are entering the workforce with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful and the credentials employers expect, consistent with the goals of the System's new strategic plan (External Site) and the State's 10-year economic strategy (External Site).

The University of Maine (UMaine) led the System with an 82.7% return rate - its highest ever - and the University of Maine at Augusta, where more than half of students are part-time, also had a historic return rate (65.1%).

The University of Southern Maine (77.3%) and the University of Maine at Farmington (80.4%) showed the most dramatic improvement in undergraduate student persistence over the past five years.

'We will not let up'

The increased return rates are a result of focused efforts across UMS under Chancellor Dannel Malloy and reflect that students see the value in a four-year degree from the System and are finding their courses relevant.

They are especially impressive given Maine's public universities have essentially open enrollment, meaning nearly all students who apply are accepted. Even the R1 flagship, UMaine, accepted 93% of applicants over the past five years, though not all students get into their desired degree program.

"As Maine's public university system, we have an obligation to not just ensure access to educational opportunity, but also outcomes. The University of Maine System is serving more students and more of them are succeeding. And we will not let up," said Chancellor Malloy. "As we continue the hard work to further improve retention, I am grateful for the dedication to student achievement of our faculty and staff and proud of our progress in keeping those enrolled at our public universities engaged in their education and on track to a door-opening degree and the Maine workforce."

UMS TRANSFORMS student success

System leaders say a range of innovative interventions are driving the improvements.

Several are supported through UMS TRANSFORMS, a multi-year initiative funded by historic investment from the Harold Alfond Foundation that is focused on four key areas - including student success and retention - to better position the System to meet the state's economic needs.

UMS TRANSFORMS research learning experiences (RLEs) allow first- and second-year students to engage in hands-on discovery and foster meaningful relationships with peers and faculty, resulting in a greater sense of belonging and retention. More than one-quarter of all incoming first-year students participated this year. UMS TRANSFORMS is also underwriting the redesign of gateway STEM courses that have traditionally been a barrier to academic progress, peer tutoring services, and pathways to careers through paid internships and other work learning.

The System's universities are increasing intrusive advising, including by using educational technology to reach students where they are - on their phones - and keep them connected and accountable. Through text messages, alerts can be sent to let students know if they missed a class or are behind in their assignments and invite them to advising and counseling appointments. Students can access 24-7 support, including through AI chatbots like UMaine's Bananas T. Bear bot, and UMS expects to make further investments in telemental health services in the coming months.

Recognizing that retention and graduation rates are higher for students who take 30 credits each year, Maine's public universities have expanded summer, winter and May term offerings, enabling students to better balance their academic obligations with work and family. For example, students took 21.2% more credit hours this past summer than five years ago.

System leaders also say the affordability of Maine's public universities, which have held tuition flat twice in four years, helps students to stay in school.

The power of peers, and good data

USM, where the undergraduate return rate has rebounded under the leadership of President Jacqueline Edmondson from a low of 70% just four years ago to 77.3% this fall, created a committee that continually reviews retention data and develops strategies to support students.

"We are delivering more than ever before on the University of Southern Maine's important service promise of 'student-focused every day,'" said President Edmondson. "With the right support, students here are thriving as they develop a mindset of determination, innovation, creativity and ambition that will serve them and the state for generations to come."

Meanwhile, UMF is leveraging the power of peers, including by embedding high-achieving students in difficult classes as tutors.

"Our secret sauce for achieving high retention rates at the University of Maine at Farmington has been our Learning Commons, where students can access our peer tutoring program, academic coaching, goal setting and accountability partnering, and other student success services. More than one-third of our students take advantage of peer tutoring and these students earn higher grades, take more credits and persist toward graduation at higher rates than other students," said President Joseph McDonnell.

One outlier is the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI), which has seen a doubling of its enrollment over the past five years due to the popularity of its online competency-based YourPace program (External Site). YourPace allows learners, many of whom are working adults, to enroll in eight-week sessions as it fits their busy schedules, and the majority of YourPace students complete their degree in less than two years. Because of that, the System's fall-to-fall return rate calculation, which is based on an Oct. 15 census of students, does not measure the persistence of many UMPI students. If students in this flexible enrollment program were not included, UMPI's return rate this fall is its highest since 2008.

The UMS return rate is a unique metric to Maine's public universities. Federal reporting on retention required of the nation's four-year postsecondary institutions only includes first-time bachelor-seeking undergraduate students and will be publicly available in 2025.

About the University of Maine System

The University of Maine System (UMS) is the state's largest driver of educational attainment and economic development and its seven public universities and law school are the most affordable in New England. Over the past two decades, UMS has awarded 106,362 degrees and spurred and strengthened thousands of small Maine businesses through its world-class research and development activities. For more information, visit www.maine.edu.

Media Contact:

Samantha Warren
Director of External Affairs, University of Maine System
207-632-0389 / [email protected]

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