@PetraMC Fair point, and USC has it’s own unique set of issues in the current environment. From what I understand, they’re known fairly well for marketing a “Spring Scholars” program so it’s likely larger in numbers. I think SMU has a pretty large cohort as well. I think the programs larger than 5-10% (or the equivalent of roughly the retention rate to my earlier point) are more the exception than the rule.
As @Groundwork2022 mentions, it’s a money play that serves the institution’s future needs, whether it be empty beds or classrooms, development prospects in children of alum, or taking a few calculated risks on kids that don’t fit into the USNWR package.
Either way, any savvy buyer knows what’s under the hood of the car to think that any school will market its garage over the front porch is a bit naive.