Case Study: Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design achieves a 37% increase in first-time-in-college enrollment with Ruffalo Noel Levitz

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design - Customer Case Study

The Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD), a four‑year private college of visual arts, faced several years of inconsistent enrollment and needed a cohesive enrollment‑management strategy. MIAD assessed its processes, united campus recruitment and marketing efforts, and implemented a strategic financial aid system to better determine applicants’ ability and willingness to pay — an effort that was later recognized by Ruffalo Noel Levitz.

Ruffalo Noel Levitz’s focus on tying financial aid strategy to recruitment and aligning campus messaging helped MIAD manage its funnel and reduce money as a barrier for well‑matched students. The result was a 37% increase in first‑time‑in‑college enrollment in one year, the school’s second‑largest class in year two, improved publication quality, and better cross‑department collaboration; MIAD received Ruffalo Noel Levitz’s Marketing‑Recruitment Excellence Award in 2010.

Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design