Attending college is a quagmire of complex decision-making. For years, students make choices that have multiple options, short- and long-term ramifications, and unknowable outcomes—from the initial decision whether to go to college to declaring a major, figuring out financing, and earning good grades.

In this context, the thoughtful application of behavioral science could potentially change the academic and career trajectories of countless individuals. Yet colleges and universities have not embedded behavioral science within their institutions to the same extent as have some businesses or governments. Instead, behavioral scientists and research organizations have mostly engaged higher education from the periphery, designing nudges to change specific, singular, and time-bound student behaviors, such as choosing a college or completing financial aid (like FAFSA).

Read on to learn how college leaders can use behavioral science to initiate systemic changes to their institutions.