New research study about the value of higher education
We’ve all heard it: Americans are losing faith in higher ed. The popular narrative is creating plenty of doubt, but according to our research, it misrepresents reality.
The value of a college degree isn’t in question, but perhaps confidence in higher ed is. We can change that. We recently ran a quantitative study exploring perceptions of higher education, measuring top-of-mind awareness, and identifying key factors that influence application and enrollment decisions.
The result is our latest research report: “Still Worth It: A Clearer Story of Higher Education’s Value,” which confirms that students do still value a college degree. But it also shows what institutions must do differently to offer proof of that value.
Since its founding in 1926, Sarah Lawrence College has stood apart — not just for its approach to education, but also for empowering audacious thinkers and lifelong learners. Yet as the higher ed landscape grew more competitive, the college faced headwinds in positioning itself as a destination for inquisitive students with agile minds.
Ologie partnered with Sarah Lawrence to refine the college’s story and focus it into a compelling enrollment brand. The greatest challenge: unifying a nonconformist community of individuals under a single banner. Together, we sought to define what truly sets Sarah Lawrence apart and (maybe more important) what brings its community together.
“Our partnership with Ologie gave us an opportunity to take stock of our audiences’ needs and come together as stakeholders in Sarah Lawrence’s future. We’ve emerged with a tighter, fresher way to project what animates us all at SLC: a shared drive to learn and make a positive impact on our world.”
— Nicholas Gray, Creative Director, Sarah Lawrence College
At the heart of our discovery was a central truth: Sarah Lawrence empowers every student to think beyond convention. At Sarah Lawrence, learning isn’t bound by disciplinary silos, and students aren’t confined to prescribed paths. Instead, they’re guided by curiosity. They’re shaped by deep mentorship. They take personal authorship of their education. And they’re driven to solve complex challenges with creativity and hard work.
True to the college’s nonconformist reputation, no single tagline would do. Instead, the enrollment brand centers on the same idea of a college “beyond convention” and articulates how this way of living and learning is different. The copy conveys the audacity of bold ideas and connects concepts like diversity, collaboration, and individuality, all in a distinctive voice that carries touches of wit and irreverence.
The visual toolkit brings together dynamic elements that reflect Sarah Lawrence’s unconventional spirit, including striking typography and a unified color palette that breathe new life into layouts. We also took care to authentically represent personal stories and the campus experience through vibrant photography.
Overall, the brand honors the college’s legacy of producing forward-thinking graduates who approach their lives and careers with originality and purpose. And drawing on these tools, the college’s admissions materials can now clearly communicate that Sarah Lawrence is a place where curious minds are free to explore, bold thinkers are empowered to act, and every student can define their own path.
As we kick off 2025, I feel a renewed energy and optimism in the year ahead, mixed with a deep empathy for higher ed leaders, particularly our partners and peers in marketing and communication roles.
We’ve all been under incredible pressure lately. The questions we routinely ask ourselves seem to weigh a little more than they used to — the stakes feel higher than ever.
Will our enrollment plunge? Will the FAFSA work? Is AI going to replace us? How will global tensions show up on our campus? Are we equipped to handle a crisis? Will we have the budget to fully pursue our ambitions? Will we hit our fundraising targets? What could a new political administration’s impact be on education as we know it?
For much of last year, we were on the defense, carefully placing small investments and making incremental progress. We all know it’s not enough.
The industry is crying out for bold, breakthrough work. But bold work requires risk — and risk tolerance is at rock bottom right now.
My prediction for 2025: It’s the year that higher ed fights back.
We’re excited to introduce a new addition to our team: OloGPT!
This new tool is our personalized assistant for higher education branding and marketing. Powered by our insights and strategic frameworks, OloGPT is here to enhance your experience by offering quick, practical guidance for all things related to branding, enrollment marketing, digital campaigns, and reputation management.
Of course, nothing replaces working with our team directly, but OloGPT is here to make your journey smoother, faster, and more engaging. We’d love for you to give it a try and let us know what you think. And if you’re curious about how OloGPT could help with your next project, let’s connect!
(Fun fact: This copy was written by OloGPT, but edited and approved by us.)
