In higher education, student retention isn’t just a metric — it’s a measure of a college’s success and long term viability. As institutions face mounting pressure to keep students engaged and committed throughout their academic journey, the tools that support these goals are becoming increasingly critical.
Among these tools, mobile credentials have emerged as a strategic investment in creating an inclusive, secure, and efficient campus environment, all of which contribute directly to student retention. In a world where a student’s decision to stay or leave can depend on the smallest details, the demand for enhanced inclusivity, security, and operational efficiency has never been greater.
The Critical Link Between Belonging and Student Retention
A student’s sense of belonging on campus is crucial to their decision to stay and complete their studies. Research highlights that students who feel connected to their campus are significantly more likely to finish their first year — a crucial period that often determines their long-term success. This sense of belonging is particularly important for historically marginalized groups, including women, Latinx, Black, and Native American students, who have traditionally faced higher dropout rates.
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Mobile credentials play a subtle yet powerful role in cultivating this sense of belonging. By providing all students — regardless of background, economic status, or abilities — with the same access to campus life, mobile credentials reinforce the idea that they are all part of a unified community. This simple act of inclusion reduces visible distinctions, promoting equality and fostering a more inclusive campus — all key ingredients for improving student retention.
Economic Accessibility: Breaking Down Financial Barriers
Students from certain socioeconomic backgrounds often face financial challenges that can affect their ability to remain enrolled. Mobile credentials help ease this burden by eliminating the need for physical ID cards, which can add costs for lower-income students, particularly when replacement fees come into play.
Additionally, mobile credentials are designed to work across a wide range of devices, from the latest smartphones to more affordable options. This ensures that all students, regardless of their financial circumstances, have equal access to the same campus services. By leveling the playing field, mobile credentials help reduce the financial stress, reducing one of the factors that can contribute to student dropout.
How Mobile Credentials Empower Students with Disabilities
Inclusivity extends beyond economic factors to include the needs of disabled students, who are often at a higher risk of feeling disconnected from campus life. Mobile credentials offer an integrated solution that allows these students to use the same technology as their peers for accessing buildings, dining halls, and other campus services — without the need for separate or stigmatizing systems.
A recent analysis of the top 50 NIH-funded universities revealed significant shortcomings in disability inclusion and accessibility, with 60% of these institutions earning low marks. This highlights a critical need for improvement. The path to excellence in accessibility is within reach, but it requires universities to prioritize these efforts. There is also growing momentum for federal funding agencies to incorporate disability inclusion and accessibility as key evaluation criteria for grants. By doing so, we can begin to close the gaps that still hinder students with disabilities from fully engaging in campus life.
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Digital accessibility is increasingly recognized as a priority, with nearly 80% of students and professionals agreeing on its importance. However, there remains a disconnect between this priority and the actions of higher education institutions, with half of the students and a third of professionals feeling that their college talks about accessibility but doesn’t take meaningful action. This gap can deepen feelings of alienation, particularly students with disabilities, making them more likely to leave.
Mobile credentials offer a practical and immediate way to improve digital accessibility on campus. By integrating with major mobile platforms and assistive technologies, they ensure that all students can access campus services without barriers, fostering greater engagement and a stronger sense of belonging.
Security and Efficiency: Building Trust and Reducing Stress
Security is another fundamental aspect of a positive campus experience. Students need to feel confident that their personal information and physical campus environment are secure. Mobile credentials offer advanced security features like encryption and multi-factor authentication, safeguarding both personal and institutional data.
In addition to digital security, mobile credentials enhance physical safety with the ability to remotely issue, update, or revoke credentials in real time. This allows schools to respond quickly to emergencies, locking down specific buildings or restricting access as needed. By providing this level of control, mobile credentials support a safer campus environment, contributing to a greater sense of security for students and staff.
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In an increasingly competitive higher education landscape, where retention rates directly impact a school’s reputation and financial stability, investing in tools that support student success is critical. Mobile credentials, by enhancing inclusivity, economic accessibility, and security, are not just a convenience — they are a strategic investment in student retention. These tools drive operational efficiency, reduce administrative overhead, and foster a supportive campus environment, all of which are vital for retaining students.
Institutions that make this strategic choice now will lead the way in student success in 2025 and beyond. By adopting mobile credentials, colleges and universities can not only enhance the student experience but also help ensure that more students complete their academic journey.
Rasheed Behrooznia is SVP and GM of Campus ID at Transact Campus.
