The Real Impact of Hypothesis:
ROI and Institutional Success Stories
Across higher education, more instructors are turning to Hypothesis to make reading active, collaborative, and meaningful. The results speak for themselves: improved engagement, stronger performance, and better student outcomes.
Why Hypothesis? Because It Works
Backed by data from real classrooms, Hypothesis has consistently improved key academic metrics. Here’s what institutions are seeing:
Increase in reading completion rates
32% Lower failure rates and improved student retention
Stronger student engagement with course materials by up to 5X
Faculty reporting more inclusive and accessible learning environments
Case Studies: Hypothesis in the Classroom
Across institutions, Hypothesis is helping students succeed — not just anecdotally, but measurably. Here are some standout examples:
UT Austin & University of Minnesota – More Days Reading, Deeper Engagement
When instructors at UT Austin and UMN integrated Hypothesis with their eTexts, student engagement with course materials more than tripled.
- University of Texas – Austin: Students using Hypothesis engaged with course texts on average 3-5x more days than peers in non-Hypothesis sections.
- University of Minnesota: Students doubled their reading days when using Hypothesis.
“Hypothesis gives students the chance to see how reading can give them an advantage.”
— Viranga Perera, Assistant Professor of Instruction, UT Austin
Indiana University Bloomington – 78,000+ Annotations, Stronger Community
In a first-year writing seminar, Indiana University saw immediate gains after adding Hypothesis to online sections:
- Over 78,000 student annotations across 182 courses
- Engagement extended well beyond requirements, with students making 200+ annotations on a single reading
“It’s such a low lift, and the yield is so high in terms of what I’m getting back as the instructor.”
— Justin Hodgson, Associate Professor of English, Indiana University Bloomington
College of Pharmacy (R1 Institution) – 2X Increase in Student Comprehension
By using Hypothesis with research texts, instructors saw remarkable academic growth:
- 2x increase in undergrads demonstrating graduate-level comprehension.
- Near 100% engagement in course discussions.
- Gains were equitable across BIPOC and 1st Gen students.
“Hypothesis gave these students the psychological safety to speak up. That’s huge.”
— Nicholas Denton, Senior Lecturer of Pharmacy Education and Innovation
CUNY Kingsborough – Surge in A+ Grades and Peer Collaboration
After implementing Hypothesis in a general biology course:
- Nearly half the class earned A+ grades (up from 1–2 students typically)
- Students built a tight-knit learning community and improved critical thinking
“Within two weeks, the students effectively became the drivers of their own learning.”
— Kristin Polizzotto, Professor of Biological Sciences, CUNY Kingsborough
Educator Spotlight: Real Voices from the Classroom
Why I Won’t Teach Without Hypothesis
By Angie Miller, Department Chair of Teacher Education, Ozarks Technical Community College
Angie Miller shares how Hypothesis transformed her Educational Psychology course—shifting students from disengaged readers to active, reflective learners. From fostering metacognition to enabling meaningful collaboration, Angie explains why this tool is now non-negotiable in her teaching practice.
Why We Chose Hypothesis: A Social Annotation Success Story from West Liberty University
“I use Hypothesis in all of my courses—it’s something I’m truly passionate about.” — Merilee Madera
When West Liberty University evaluated social annotation tools, Hypothesis stood out. For Merilee Madera, Interim Director of Distance Education, who uses the tool in every course she teaches, it was more than a feature match—it was a transformation. Hypothesis not only changed how students engaged with texts, but how they collaborated, reflected, and showed up for learning.
What Sets Hypothesis Apart
You don’t just need another edtech tool — you need one that delivers lasting value.
Here’s why institutions are choosing Hypothesis:
- Fully integrated with all major LMS platforms
- FERPA, GDPR, and accessibility compliant
- Live and on-demand faculty training and onboarding
- Used at over 400 institutions worldwide
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Still Have Questions?
Our team is happy to talk through how Hypothesis can fit your institution’s goals and budget.