Student Retention Study

The State of North Dakota’s Department of Commerce is seeking a qualified firm to conduct a comprehensive “Student Retention Study.” The contractor will design and deploy surveys, conduct focus groups and interviews, analyze existing education and workforce data, and produce actionable recommendations to improve student retention and attract graduates to stay in‑state. The effort is firm‑fixed‑price, not‑to‑exceed $250,000 for the initial nine‑month period, with optional two‑year renewal options. Deliverables include an interim report, a final report, design mock‑ups for dashboards, and a long‑term monitoring framework. The work will require up to two in‑person trips to North Dakota, with travel costs included in the ceiling. • Conduct mixed‑methods research (survey, focus groups, data analysis) covering recent high‑school graduates, current college students, and recent alumni. • Produce interim (Feb 2027) and final (June 2027) reports, plus dashboard mock‑ups and a repeatable monitoring framework. • Manage stakeholder engagement with state agencies, ND University System, industry partners, and ensure all subcontractors are “third‑party of disinterest.”