Across higher education, the “enrollment cliff” is no longer a distant concern. Business school deans point to demographic decline, competition from alternative credentials, and shifting student expectations as major threats to program stability. While recent MBA application rebounds are encouraging, the long-term reality is clear: institutions must work harder to recruit, retain, and graduate the students they have.

For business schools, that means going beyond marketing and admissions strategies. It means ensuring every enrolled student has the tools, relationships, and support to persist to graduation.

Retention Is the New Recruitment

Retention strategies cannot be one-size-fits-all, particularly in business programs where cohorts vary widely in academic background, work experience, and professional goals. Many students arrive academically capable but underprepared for the pace and complexity of graduate-level coursework. Others juggle professional obligations that make accessing traditional support services difficult.

Research shows that students who engage with academic support early and consistently are more likely to persist. Yet, 53% of students have never accessed tutoring before coming to Knack. This is an untapped opportunity hiding in plain sight.

Peer Tutoring as a Scalable Retention Lever

Business schools do not need to choose between high-touch support and resource efficiency. With Knack, institutions can scale peer tutoring across every course, offering flexible, tech-enabled access that fits students’ schedules—whether that is late at night after work or online between classes.

By recruiting, training, and paying qualified students as tutors, Knack creates a self-sustaining support network that:

• Reaches students who may not seek help in traditional settings
  
  
• Expands course coverage without adding to faculty or staff workload
  
  
• Strengthens connection and confidence through peer-to-peer learning

The result is a more resilient academic support system that helps students master challenging material before small struggles become major setbacks.

Why This Matters for Business Schools

Business students face unique pressures such as fast-moving curricula, high-stakes internships, and competitive post-grad pathways. When they disengage or fall behind, the impact is felt well beyond graduation rates.

By embedding peer tutoring into the business school experience, leaders can:

• Differentiate their programs in a competitive market
  
  
• Boost persistence by addressing challenges early
  
  
• Demonstrate career readiness outcomes through tutors’ leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
  
  

The Bottom Line

The enrollment cliff demands more than a recruitment response. It requires a retention strategy built for today’s learners. For business schools, investing in scalable, high-impact academic support like Knack is not just about helping students pass their next exam. It is about ensuring they stay, succeed, and thrive while keeping the institution strong for years to come.

Visit joinknack.com to learn how Knack can help your business school scale student support and strengthen retention.