Programs That Make a Difference

Georgia State University has long been recognized for its innovative approach to student success. But do the programs that help students graduate also help them thrive after they leave campus? This report from the Burning Glass Institute follows the post-graduation journeys of students who participated in four of Georgia State University’s National Institute for Student Success (NISS) student success interventions: proactive, analytics-based advising, Panther Retention Grants, Meta-Major Freshman Learning Communities, and the Summer Success Academy.

By matching former GSU students to BGI’s career history database, we track what actually happens to NISS program participants in the workforce — where they work, what they earn, how quickly they advance, and how closely their careers align with their fields of study.

The results show that participation in these NISS interventions is associated with meaningful work advantages, including stronger earnings, faster advancement into management, and greater career alignment — advantages that grow when students engage with multiple interventions. For Pell recipients who received multiple supports, outcomes ultimately surpassed those of their non-Pell peers, pointing to the power of sustained, targeted investment in students facing the steepest barriers to opportunity.