3rd Millennium Classrooms’ alcohol prevention course Alcohol Wise increases your students’ knowledge of alcohol and has been shown to result in behavior change. It not only meets federally required mandates but also offer measurable financial and institutional benefits. Here’s are 7 ways Alcohol Wise can save your campus money:

#1 Reduces Campus Incidents and Associated Costs

Students who receive prevention education make smarter decisions about alcohol. Research on Alcohol Wise found a 9.5% reduction in drinking game participation, a 28% decrease in heavy drinking (Croom et al., 2015), and a 36% reduction in peak BAC (Doumas et al., 2010). By educating students on how alcohol affects the body and reinforcing safe decision-making, Alcohol Wise helps reduce destructive behaviors—and the costly consequences that often follow.

#2 Improves Retention and Increases Academic Performance

Students who drink responsibly—or abstain altogether—are more likely to attend class, perform well academically, and persist through graduation. In one study, students who completed Alcohol Wise had GPAs 0.5 points higher than their peers (Lane et al., 2007) and saw 18% higher retention rates (Strohman et al., 2015). For institutions, this translates directly to tuition revenue. A university with 13,187 students and $7,415 average tuition could lose over $4 million from just a 5% drop in enrollment (3rd Millennium Classrooms, 2024).

3. Protects Your Institution from Legal and Compliance Risks

Federal and Title IX regulations require schools to take proactive steps around substance use and student safety. Failing to do so can expose institutions to lawsuits, compliance violations, and reputational damage (Krebs et al., 2007).

“Student Dies After Possible Hazing Episode at [Your University]”
“A [Your University] Student Nearly Dies from Alcohol Poisoning”

These headlines are avoidable. And they’re costly.

Moreover, 10% of students who consume alcohol report committing crimes such as vandalism or assault in a given year (Croom et al., 2015). Implementing Alcohol Wise demonstrates due diligence and fosters a safer, more stable campus environment.

4. Reduces Alcohol Violations on Campus

Each alcohol-related violation costs time, money, and administrative resources. Campuses that consistently implement Alcohol Wise year after year report a steady decline in alcohol-related incidents, reflecting both student behavior change and institutional culture shift (3rd Millennium Classrooms, 2024).

5. Prevention Costs Less Than Intervention

The ROI on prevention is substantial. For every $1 spent on prevention, the return in benefits and savings ranges from $8 to $80—a 1000% potential return for programs like Alcohol Wise (3rd Millennium Classrooms, 2024). Compared to the financial and human costs of medical emergencies, conduct hearings, or lawsuits, the investment is not just wise—it’s essential.

6. Alcohol-Wise Offers Sustainable Pricing and Customization

Whether you’re welcoming 100 freshmen or 10,000, Alcohol Wise adapts to your needs and your budget. Smaller campuses can opt for per-student pricing, while larger institutions can take advantage of our Unlimited Everything for $18,000—covering your entire student population for one flat rate.

There are no contracts, no setup fees, and custom campus branding and messaging are always included at no additional cost. Want to expand your prevention efforts? Ask about bundling options for additional wellness and conduct courses.

No matter your size or budget, 3rd Millennium Classrooms offers a sustainable solution built to scale with your campus.

7. Unlock Access to Grant Funding

Programs like Alcohol Wise, which include the eCHECKUP TO GO brief intervention, have appeared in over 18 outcome studies and 12 peer-reviewed journals (3rd Millennium Classrooms, 2024). This level of research backing makes institutions more competitive for federal and state prevention funding.

Alcohol Wise delivers a high return on investment by reducing risky behaviors, supporting student success, and lowering institutional risk. It’s a smart, scalable, and research-driven solution to meet your campus wellness goals—while protecting your budget.

Resources
3rd Millennium Classrooms. (2024). College Booklet: Solutions Guide for Colleges. San Antonio, TX: 3rd Millennium Classrooms.
Croom, K., et al. (2015). The glass is half full: Evidence for efficacy of Alcohol-Wise at one university but not the other. Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2015.1012239
Doumas, D. M., Haustveit, T., & Coll, K. M. (2010). Reducing heavy drinking among first-year intercollegiate athletes: A randomized controlled trial of a web-based normative feedback program. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 22(3), 247–261. https://doi.org/10.1080/10413201003666454
Krebs, C. P., Lindquist, C. H., Warner, T. D., Fisher, B. S., & Martin, S. L. (2007). The campus sexual assault (CSA) study: Final report. Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice.
Lane, D., et al. (2007). Evaluating personalized alcohol interventions. Paper presented at the Midwestern Psychological Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2002). Motivational interviewing: Preparing people for change (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Perkins, H. W., & Berkowitz, A. D. (1986). Perceiving the community norms of alcohol use among students: Some research implications for campus alcohol education programming. International Journal of the Addictions, 21(9–10), 961–976. https://doi.org/10.3109/10826088609077249
Strohman, A., et al. (2015). Randomized controlled trial of computerized alcohol intervention for college students: Role of class level. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. https://doi.org/10.3109/00952990.2015.1010028