Colleges are confronting a dual pressure: enrolling too few students while graduating too many, widening gaps between institutional capacity and student flow. In parallel, some institutions are also increasing spending on student support at levels far above peers, prompting questions about outcomes and return on investment. DePauw University is cited as an example where student-services spending is more than double that of peers, raising a central evaluation question: whether enhanced support is translating into retention, engagement, and completion. Together, the stories point to a more data-driven and cost-accountable era for student success budgets. Leaders are being pushed to demonstrate measurable impact rather than assuming that higher spending alone improves student outcomes. As enrollment models tighten, institutions are likely to face heightened board scrutiny on staffing, service design, and the ability to sustain student support investments under budget volatility.