The Role of Data Storage in Student Success

Data seems to be the key to unlocking success of all kinds, so it’s no surprise to hear many higher education leaders looking for ways they can use data to secure student success. These days, campuses are generating more data than ever, and managing that data has become a herculean task that many smaller, resource-strapped institutions feel unequipped to handle. Some big questions many in higher ed are grappling with include how to store, structure, and share data in ways that make it actionable.

These questions were tackled in the latest Inside Higher Ed Decision Guide, Data Storage and Analytics: Maximizing Data for Student Success. The guide dives into how colleges and universities can turn their data infrastructure into an engine for student success. Below, we highlight a few of the report’s findings.

Redefining Student Success Through Data

Even within a single institution, the definition of success may differ. A community college that serves both degree-seeking and workforce-aligned learners might view student success very differently than a private four-year liberal arts college. Therefore, it’s important to note that data isn’t only useful in securing student success, it’s also useful in defining student success.

For some institutions, student success may be tied to persistence and graduation rates; for others, it may mean income mobility for graduates, continued engagement with learning, or overall well-being. Data provides the evidence to support those distinctions—revealing what success looks like for different students in different contexts.

From there, student data can be grouped into broad categories—pre-enrollment, academic, out-of-class engagement, and other predictive indicators. Together, these variables help institutions see which factors most influence student outcomes and satisfaction.

Storing and Structuring Data for Impact

Once institutions understand what success means for their students, they need a way to collect and manage the right data. How that data is stored can determine whether insights are actionable or buried in silos.

Integration also remains a challenge: Different departments and platforms store information differently, forcing staff to navigate multiple sources. Data lakehouses offer a middle ground, providing both broad access and targeted dashboards for mid-level managers. Yet adoption of data lakehouses is limited. According to a recent IHE survey, only 11% of institutions use a unified data model.

Creating a Data Culture on Campus

Despite institutions understanding the usefulness of data, most are still not relying on data to help them make decisions. It’s important, therefore, that CIOs and other tech leaders on campus work to create a strong data culture. According to the guide, creating that culture means creating the means for leadership to access the right information easily and quickly.  

In fact, a healthy data ecosystem has three key pillars: governance that doesn’t hinder use, timely knowledge that makes a tangible impact, and security/trust so students, faculty, and staff feel confident contributing.

Get the Guide's Key Takeaways

Data can only drive student success if it’s used strategically—and that requires more than storing numbers or tracking metrics. How can your campus turn raw data into real insight and action? Discover what steps institutions are taking to build data-driven cultures that make a difference.

For the full list of key takeaways, download the Decision Guide.