Colleges Improve Graduation Rates with Smarter Scheduling Solutions

A new report by Ad Astra and Complete College America reveals that more effective academic scheduling can significantly enhance college completion rates. Released on August 21, 2025, the report, titled “Building a Healthy Culture for Academic Scheduling,” outlines strategic recommendations aimed at helping colleges improve course access and student success.

Colleges across the United States face stagnating enrollment and completion rates, with Ad Astra‘s 2024 Benchmark Report highlighting concerning trends. The report found that 26% of program requirements are not available during scheduled terms, nearly 25% of course sections are overloaded, and 45% are underutilized. These issues disproportionately affect working adults, caregivers, and commuting students, making timely graduation increasingly difficult.

According to Sarah Collins, president of Ad Astra, the timing and availability of classes are crucial to student success. “When, where, and how a class is offered might seem like a small detail, but it can determine whether a student makes it to graduation,” she explained. By prioritizing scheduling as a central aspect of campus culture, institutions can remove obstacles that hinder student progress.

The report emphasizes actionable steps for colleges to transform scheduling practices. These steps include:

1. **Assess current practices:** Institutions should evaluate existing scheduling methods against anticipated course demand, identifying bottlenecks and mismatched resources.

2. **Form a strategic scheduling team:** Collaboration among leaders, faculty, advisors, and student support staff is essential to champion change using data-driven insights.

3. **Implement smart scheduling principles:** Align course offerings with structured pathways to ensure students have timely access to necessary classes.

4. **Build capacity:** Colleges need to enhance technical skills related to data analysis and scheduling software, alongside fostering adaptive skills like change leadership.

5. **Measure and sustain progress:** Institutions should continuously track outcomes related to student success and equity, celebrating achievements and addressing challenges.

Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva, president of Complete College America, underscored the significance of effective scheduling as a tool for student success. “When we design schedules around students’ lives instead of administrative convenience, we break down barriers, open access to the courses they need, and keep more learners moving toward a credential,” she stated.

The report also highlights successful initiatives from various states. For instance, the University System of Georgia has implemented the Momentum Year program, which utilizes block and default schedules to help first-year students earn 15 credits while following clear pathways. Similarly, Texas’s Talent Strong Texas Pathways initiative has introduced 8-week terms to enhance credit momentum and completion rates. Additionally, the Tennessee Board of Regents has transitioned to 7-week courses, showing improved outcomes for working adults compared to traditional formats.

For colleges seeking to boost graduation rates, the insights provided in this report offer a comprehensive framework for rethinking academic scheduling. By prioritizing the needs of students over administrative convenience, institutions can foster a more supportive environment that enables greater success and completion.

The full report, including detailed findings and case studies, is available for review, providing a valuable resource for higher education leaders aiming to improve student outcomes through smarter scheduling practices.