Yield rate is the percentage of admitted applicants, that is, those offered a place, who go on to accept the offer and enrol at the institution. It is calculated by dividing the number of enrolled students by the number of offers made, for the same intake.
Why yield matters
Yield determines how many offers an institution must make to fill its places. If yield is hard to predict, an institution risks either empty seats or over-enrolment. Tracking yield by program, source and applicant group, across several intakes, makes planning more reliable. It is one of the stages of the enrolment funnel.
Common ways institutions try to improve yield
- Making decisions and offers promptly
- Clear information on fees, scholarships and next steps after an offer
- Personal contact from counsellors or faculty
- Events and onboarding activities between offer and term start
Frequently asked questions
Should yield be measured on acceptances or enrolments?
Institutions use both. Measuring on enrolment (students who actually start) is stricter and more useful for planning. State which definition you use.
What is “melt”?
Students who accept an offer but do not enrol. It is measured between acceptance and the start of term.