Cadmus Return on Investment Report
independent analysis by Nous Group
What is the return on investment of modern assessment?
Across Australian and UK universities, Cadmus delivered an average of 7.1× return on investment (8.6 for Australian Universities), driven by reduced early withdrawals and stronger student progression.
7.1
average return on investment
Why ROI in Assessment Matters Now
Based on thousands of data points across multiple disciplines and independent modelling by Nous Group, the findings confirm a clear institutional reality:
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Assessment quality directly influences progression and retention.
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Retention is a primary financial driver — improved progression reduces early withdrawals and preserves revenue.
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Improvements in assessment design compound at scale — strengthening both student success and institutional sustainability.
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Leaders need independent, defensible evidence to support assessment reform and investment decisions.
This report provides clear, independent evidence that improving assessment strengthens student outcomes — strengthening student outcomes leads to improved retention — and stronger retention translates into measurable financial return.
This demonstrates that assessment is not just a pedagogical lever, but an economic level as well.
7.1x
average return on investment
“Our ROI findings highlight that Cadmus is more than an assessment platform; it is a strategic investment that improves student outcomes.”
Watch the ROI briefing with Nous Group
Watch the on-demand webinar with Nous Group, where they walked through:
- How the ROI was calculated and the assumptions applied
- The drivers behind reduced early withdrawals and improved retention
- Why retention accounts for the majority of financial value
- What the findings mean for universities evaluating assessment investment
This session provides direct context from the authors of the analysis and is designed for institutional leaders assessing the impact and defensibility of assessment decisions.
Get your copy of the independent ROI report
Assessment is changing — and so are university expectations. Download the report to see how institutions measure assessment’s impact on retention, outcomes, and financial performance, and what a defensible ROI looks like in practice.