--- title: "DMS Success Story: Scaling Higher Ed Program Enrollments For A Leading Vocational School" description: The DMS team of enrollment marketing experts needed to work in close partnership with a vocational institution's marketing team to help the higher education institution meet their enrollment and growth goals. image: https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/hubfs/shutterstock_1608133768.jpg --- [**DMS Insights](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/)/  [Case Studies](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/tag/case-studies) /  DMS Success Story: Scaling Higher Ed Program Enrollments For A Leading Vocational School # DMS Success Story: Scaling Higher Ed Program Enrollments For A Leading Vocational School by [Digital Media Solutions](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/author/digital-media-solutions) ## Background A leading vocational school in the Northeast offering programs both online and at ground campuses was looking to scale enrollments and optimize efficiency in their marketing efforts for their career training programs. ## Challenge The school partnered with Digital Media Solutions (DMS) to manage and generate high-intent prospective student inquiries. Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic across higher education in 2020, the DMS team of enrollment marketing experts needed to work in close partnership with the client's marketing team to help the higher education institution meet their enrollment and growth goals. [![](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/edu.webp?width=714&height=179&name=edu.webp)](https://www.digitalmediasolutions.com/education) ## DMS Solution ![Shutterstock_522554425 Happy young university students studying with books in library. Group of multiracial people in college library.](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/aHViPTcyNTMyJmNtZD1pdGVtZWRpdG9yaW1hZ2UmZmlsZW5hbWU9aXRlbWVkaXRvcmltYWdlXzVmNjhkNDY0MzFiNzUuanBnJnZlcnNpb249MDAwMCZzaWc9ZGE3N2U4ZTZjMmJlZTA5MDA4NDRlYjJlNTNlNDJjNmQ=.jpeg) The DMS digital performance marketing team leveraged their extensive network, multichannel expertise and comprehensive optimization efforts to drive high-intent, qualified prospective students into the client's enhanced admissions process. - Strategic Methodology: The DMS team identified the best potential partners for two campaign types, which were interactive campaigns that direct prospective students to a dedicated landing page and third-party pay-per-lead (PPL) campaigns. DMS worked closely with the client to optimize the digital media mix, analyze historic performance at a granular level and create custom media plans for each of the campus locations. Ultimately, DMS created a strategic plan to allocate the majority of volume and budget to the top-performing partners for individual markets. - Multichannel Expertise:** **Based on proprietary DMS data demonstrating heightened social media traffic and performance during this particular time period, the DMS team increased focus on social media campaigns. After testing multiple variations, the DMS team determined that more candid campaigns performed best, helping to drive engagement and interest in the vocational school's program offerings. - Robust Optimization: The DMS team closely monitored campaigns each day and performed full-scale optimization analyses on a bi-weekly basis, rigorously analyzing conversion data both holistically and at the campus and program levels. The team continuously optimized the media and affiliate partner mix by adjusting allocation toward top performers to achieve the client's performance goals. ## Results Due to the consistent efforts of the DMS performance marketing team and the close partnership and streamlined enrollment process with the vocational school, DMS helped the client achieve a **76% increase in enrollments** year over year, while **decreasing the CPE by 67%** and **beating the client's CPE goal by 61%**, all during a year that brought unprecedented challenges in the higher education landscape.  ## How Can Trade Schools Increase Student Enrollments With Performance Marketing? Trade schools can increase enrollments by using performance marketing strategies that connect them with prospective students who are actively researching career training programs. Data-driven campaigns allow schools to target specific audiences by program, location and stage of the enrollment journey, helping institutions reach high-intent prospects and boost enrollment funnel optimization.  ## How Can Digital Media Solutions Help Trade Schools Attract Prospective Students? Partners like Digital Media Solutions offer branded campaigns designed to drive inbound calls, clicks and inquiries from high intent student leads. Through [owned-and-operated sites](https://colleges.tradecollege.org/classes?layout=trade&sidebar=trade_automotive) and targeted digital strategies, DMS helps institutions connect with students researching real enrollment opportunities, supplement internal lead generation efforts and maintain precise targeting and volume control throughout the admissions cycle. ## **Looking To Upgrade Your Trade School Enrollment Marketing Strategy?** Discover how [DMS](https://www.digitalmediasolutions.com/) offers high-quality, tailored strategies that can elevate your enrollment outcomes. [Get in touch today](https://www.digitalmediasolutions.com/contact-us) to learn more about our cost-effective, compliance-focused approach to helping institutions like yours thrive in a competitive market. [![Drive Better Business Results With DMS](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Banners/Drive%20Better%20Business%20Results%20With%20DMS.png?width=714&height=179&name=Drive%20Better%20Business%20Results%20With%20DMS.png)](https://www.digitalmediasolutions.com/education)   - [** ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/dms-case-studies/scaling-higher-ed-program-enrollments-for-a-leading-vocational-school&title=DMS%20Success%20Story:%20Scaling%20Higher%20Ed%20Program%20Enrollments%20For%20A%20Leading%20Vocational%20School&picture=https://2644565.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2644565/shutterstock_1608133768.jpg&description=The%20DMS%20team%20of%20enrollment%20marketing%20experts%20needed%20to%20work%20in%20close%20partnership%20with%20a%20vocational%20institution's%20marketing%20team%20to%20help%20the%20higher%20education%20institution%20meet%20their%20enrollment%20and%20growth%20goals.) - [**](https://twitter.com/share?source=https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/dms-case-studies/scaling-higher-ed-program-enrollments-for-a-leading-vocational-school&text=DMS%20Success%20Story:%20Scaling%20Higher%20Ed%20Program%20Enrollments%20For%20A%20Leading%20Vocational%20School%20-%20https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/dms-case-studies/scaling-higher-ed-program-enrollments-for-a-leading-vocational-school) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/dms-case-studies/scaling-higher-ed-program-enrollments-for-a-leading-vocational-school&title=DMS%20Success%20Story:%20Scaling%20Higher%20Ed%20Program%20Enrollments%20For%20A%20Leading%20Vocational%20School&summary=The%20DMS%20team%20of%20enrollment%20marketing%20experts%20needed%20to%20work%20in%20close%20partnership%20with%20a%20vocational%20institution's%20marketing%20team%20to%20help%20the%20higher%20education%20institution%20meet%20their%20enrollment%20and%20growth%20goals.) #### About the author Digital Media Solutions DMS (Digital Media Solutions, LLC) is a performance-driven digital marketing company that connects consumers and brands through data, technology and proprietary media platforms. Our systems power high-volume consumer acquisition across multiple verticals, processing large-scale traffic and real-time decisioning in dynamic market environments, enabling our partners to own their outcome. We connect consumers to solutions that fit and partners to results that matter, so everyone wins. Learn more at digitalmediasolutions.com. Topics:   [Case Studies](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/tag/case-studies) ,   [Featured](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/tag/featured) [< Previous Post](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/articles/inboxing-challenges-email-campaigns) [Next Post >](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/press-releases/digital-media-solutions-inc.-completes-sale-to-leading-investor-group) ### Related posts [ DMS Success Story: Scalable Call Volume & Smarter Risk-Taking Drive 200% Revenue Growth ](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/dms-case-studies/scalable-call-volume-smarter-risk-taking-drive-200-revenue-growth) [ DMS Success Story: Scaling Higher Ed Program Enrollments For A Leading Vocational School ](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/dms-case-studies/scaling-higher-ed-program-enrollments-for-a-leading-vocational-school) [ DMS Success Story: Efficient Email Strategies Drive Client Growth & Success ](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/dms-case-studies/efficient-email-strategies-drive-client-growth-success) [ DMS Success Story: Achieving A 33% Increase In Insurance Conversion Rates Through Strategic Partnership ](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/dms-case-studies/increase-conversion-rates-through-strategic-partnership) [ DMS Success Story: Scaling Insurance Customer Acquisition With Targeted Campaigns ](https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/dms-case-studies/drive-new-policy-holders-insurance-brands-marketplaces) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Digital Media Solutions", "url" : "https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/author/digital-media-solutions" }, "dateModified" : "2026-03-09T18:26:46.335Z", "datePublished" : "2025-02-26T20:57:14.000Z", "headline" : "DMS Success Story: Scaling Higher Ed Program Enrollments For A Leading Vocational School", "image" : [ "https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/hubfs/shutterstock_1608133768.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/dms-case-studies/scaling-higher-ed-program-enrollments-for-a-leading-vocational-school", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/hubfs/DMS_Logo_Horizontal_Green-Navy.png" }, "name" : "Digital Media Solutions, LLC." } } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/dms-case-studies/scaling-higher-ed-program-enrollments-for-a-leading-vocational-school" }, "headline": "DMS Success Story: Scaling Higher Ed Program Enrollments For A Leading Vocational School", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Digital Media Solutions" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Digital Media Solutions", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/path-to-logo.png" } }, "description": "Case study detailing how Digital Media Solutions helped a leading vocational school in the Northeast achieve a 76% year‑over‑year enrollment increase while reducing CPE by 67% and outperforming the CPE goal by 61% during a challenging year for higher education.", "datePublished": "2025-07-22", "dateModified": "2025-07-22", "articleSection": "Case Studies", "keywords": [ "vocational school", "higher education", "enrollment marketing", "CPE reduction", "year-over-year growth" ], "image": "https://insights.digitalmediasolutions.com/hubfs/DMS_SuccessStory_ScalingHigherEdEnrollments_Thumbnail.jpg", "wordCount": 350, "articleBody": "Background: A leading vocational school in the Northeast offering both online and ground programs sought to scale enrollments. Challenge: COVID‑19 impacted higher ed, requiring close collaboration. Solution: Employed strategic methodology with PPL and interactive campaigns, focused on multichannel (particularly social media), and robust optimization at campus and program levels. Results: 76% increase in enrollments year‑over‑year, ```