Case Study: Rockhurst University achieves up to 87.5% first-to-second-year retention with Ruffalo Noel Levitz's Student Retention Predictor

Rockhurst University - Customer Case Study

Rockhurst University partnered with Ruffalo Noel Levitz to address a plateau in first- to second-year retention (82–83%) even as freshman cohorts grew to record levels. With limited physical and human resources and a modest institutional goal to raise retention to 85%, Rockhurst needed a more sophisticated, data-driven approach—so they adopted the Student Retention Predictor™ from Ruffalo Noel Levitz.

Ruffalo Noel Levitz’s Student Retention Predictor™ identified each student’s likelihood of persistence and highlighted moderate-risk students for targeted outreach; Rockhurst combined model-driven outreach with RA-engaged interventions to reach students early. The initiative pushed first- to second-year retention to nearly 86% in year one, 87.5% in year two, and was trending toward 90% the following fall, with expectations of improved four‑year graduation rates—demonstrating clear, measurable impact from Ruffalo Noel Levitz’s solution.

Rockhurst University

Sandy Waddell

Assistant Dean of Students