Original Source Date: January 1, 2023
Impact Highlights
| Annual ROI | Time Horizon | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 17.5% | 10.0 years | 1 - Very Strong |
| Activities | Outcomes | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Opportunity, Schools | College graduation, Educational attainment rate, Income, Labor Force, Unemployment |
| Geography | Demographics |
|---|---|
| Mideast, New York, United States | Age 20-24 |
Article Details
For decades, improving college graduation rates—particularly for low-income and underprepared students—has been one of higher education’s toughest challenges. But the City University of New York’s (CUNY) Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) has cracked the code. This innovative student success model has not only doubled graduation rates across diverse student populations but has also proven replicable at institutions nationwide.
What Makes the ASAP Model Work
At its core, the ASAP model provides comprehensive, structured support to students, including:
Full-time enrollment in guided degree pathways
Wraparound services such as tuition waivers, transportation, and book stipends
Assigned advisors who maintain consistent contact and mentoring
Priority course registration and developmental education as needed
This combination of academic structure and financial/social support builds the stability students need to persist and graduate on time.
A Proven Record of Success
The results are impressive and well-documented:
Doubling of Graduation Rates: At CUNY, ASAP students graduate at twice the rate of comparable peers.
Scalable Outcomes: Replications at Lorain Community College (OH) and Skyline College (CA) increased graduation rates from 10% to 40% and 45%, respectively.
Diverse Reach: The model is effective in rural, urban, two-year, and four-year college contexts.
Calculating the ROI: A Smart Investment in Education
According to MDRC and replication site data, the average cost of implementing ASAP is roughly $3,900 per student per year, while the long-term benefits—measured in increased earnings, reduced need for public assistance, and improved tax contributions—deliver a conservative return of 6:1 over 10 years.
Assuming a $3,900 annual investment and a total benefit of $23,400 over 10 years, the annualized ROI equals 17.5%.
Formula Used:
Annual ROI = (FutureValue/Cost−1)/Years(Future Value / Cost – 1) / Years
= ($23,400 / $3,900 – 1) / 10
= 0.175 or 17.5% per year
Why This Matters
The societal impact is just as compelling as the financial one. ASAP increases upward mobility, reduces debt burdens, and breaks cycles of intergenerational poverty—all while improving institutional performance metrics and national completion rates.
Policy Momentum
ASAP-aligned models are eligible for federal Postsecondary Student Success Grants (PSSG), with bipartisan support growing for authorizing legislation that would scale these approaches even further.
Key Program Snapshot
Demographics Served: Low-income, first-generation, and academically underprepared students; both traditional-age and adult learners.
Geographic Focus: Initially CUNY (NYC), now expanded to Ohio, California, North Carolina, and West Virginia.
Type of Activity: Postsecondary education intervention—focus on completion, not just access.
Statistical Indicators to Track:
Graduation rates (2-year and 3-year)
Post-graduation earnings
Persistence/retention rates
Credits completed per semester
FAFSA completion and unmet need
Student support utilization (advisor meetings, financial supports)
This model shows what’s possible when we invest strategically in student success. As colleges and policymakers search for proven, high-ROI interventions, the ASAP model sets the gold standard.
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