NISS Releases 2025 Impact Report Highlighting Record Growth and Student Success Gains
The National Institute for Student Success (NISS) has released its 2025 Impact Report, highlighting a year of transformative progress for colleges and universities nationwide. Over the past year, NISS has more than doubled its institutional partnerships, from 70 to over 140 colleges and universities, spanning 30 states. The NISS now partners with 11 state systems, collectively impacting the academic journeys of 1.7 million students.
Partner institutions working with NISS are achieving measurable results that outpace national trends. Graduation rate gains among NISS partners are 2.3 times higher than the national average. In Kansas, institutions partnering with NISS have seen an average 4.7 percentage point increase in graduation rates. NISS Partners in Georgia report retention gains averaging more than 10 percentage points and enrollment increases of 9.5% over three years.
Satisfaction with NISS services remains exceptionally high, with project leads rating their experience at 9.6 out of 10. These outcomes reflect our mission and underscore the power of systematic, data-informed change to improve student success.
The year also marked significant milestones for the NISS. In January, Georgia State University and the NISS received the first-ever Trailblazer Award from the U.S. Department of Education, recognizing its leadership in advancing student success nationally. In July, the organization relocated to its new headquarters—the Student Success Building—a century-old landmark located just blocks from the Martin Luther King Jr. historical district.
“Even amid a time of unprecedented challenges to higher education, 148 NISS partners are showing that they can transform student outcomes overall while simultaneously supporting even their most vulnerable learners through systematic, data-informed change,” said Executive Director Tim Renick.
Explore the full 2025 Impact Report to learn more about how the NISS is driving student success across the nation.
By National Institute for Student Success · NISS Content Publisher