In international education, agent partnerships require significant investments of time, resources, and commission payments. Understanding the true return on investment (ROI) from these relationships is essential for both financial transparency and strategic planning. Let’s explore how to measure partnership success beyond simple enrollment numbers.

More than just enrollment figures

Apart from simply counting student enrollments, schools should consider factors like student retention rates, application quality, and the level of ongoing support provided throughout the student journey. An agent partner who delivers fewer students but with higher retention rates may offer better long-term value than one generating high volumes of drop-outs.

Important metrics to track

Evaluate partnerships using comprehensive metrics, some key ones being conversion rates from enquiry to enrollment, average time to process applications, student satisfaction scores, and post-arrival support quality. Consider the administrative burden each partnership creates and factor staff time into your ROI calculations. High-maintenance partnerships that require constant follow-up may not deliver the value they initially appear to offer.

Regular performance reviews

By reviewing performance regularly—quarterly or bi-annually—institutions can identify top-performing partners and areas for improvement. Create standardised evaluation criteria that can be applied consistently across all partnerships, making it easier to compare performance and allocate resources effectively.

Accountability through transparency

Openly discussing evaluation findings with agents encourages accountability and helps fine-tune recruitment efforts for the future. Share performance data, celebrate successes, and collaboratively address challenges. This transparency builds stronger partnerships whilst ensuring both parties remain focused on quality outcomes rather than just quantity.

Effective ROI evaluation transforms agent partnerships from transactional relationships into strategic alliances focused on sustainable growth and student success. Ready to build quality agent partnerships? Contact Schools & Agents today for more details about our membership tiers for schools. 

Written by Stephanie Clark