Landscape

ofHigher

Education

ReportHigherEd’sStrategicImperative

forTransformationin

aShiftingLandscape2026ExecutiveSummaryHigher

education

is

entering

a

decade

of

structural

change

where

volatility

will

be

the

norm,

not

the

exception.

Economicinstability,demographicdeclineand

thedisruptivepowerof

AIareconvergingintoadefiningquestion

for

highereducation

leaders:Willyour

institution

shapethefuture,

or

be

shapedby

it?TheMarketRealityTraditionalstudentenrollmentbasehaspeaked.Beginningin2026,institutions

willlargelyfaceasustaineddecline

intraditional-agedundergraduates.

Meanwhile,enrollmentgrowthisconcentratedinnew

markets:adult

learners

seeking

rapid

reskilling,

highschoolstudents

acceleratingthroughdual

enrollment

and

the

millions

ofAmericans

with“somecollege,nocredential”whoremainasignificantscalableopportunityforgrowth.The

impactwill

not

befeltevenly

across

institutions.Some

layersof

immunity

are

built

intothe

higher

education

infrastructure

for

flagshippublicinstitutionsandhighlyselectiveprivateinstitutions

withsubstantialendowments.

The

remaining

institutions

are

moreexposedtotheshiftsdescribed

in

this

summary

and

report.

Institutions

that

clingto

historicstudent

pipelinesand

insistontryingto

holdontothe

status

quowillface

contraction.Those

that

pivot

decisively

will

build

a

sustainable

future

for

growth,

based

on

serving

the

ModernLearnerof

today

and

the

future.The

ValueImperativeWhile

the

data

proves

the

enduring

wage

premium

of

a

college

degree,

public

skepticism

of

higher

education’s

value

continuesto

deepen.

Institutions

cannot

afford

passive

defense

ofthestatus

quo.Towin

trust,

institutions

mustleadboldlywithoutcomesbypublishingtransparentdata,strengtheningemployerpartnershipsandshowing

tangiblecareerpathwaysineveryprogram.This

is

not

just

marketing;

it

isa

blueprintfor

a

sustainablefoundation

andfuturegrowth.The

TechnologyShiftArtificialIntelligencehasredefinedbothhowstudentssearch

and

howgraduateswork.AI-driventoolsare

already

guiding

prospective

students’

choices,

often

before

a

college

has

the

chance

to

engage

them.

In

today’s

evolvingsearchenvironment,

an

institution

mustdeploy

newstrategies

to

build

and

maintain

discoverability

and

communicate

value,outcomesandbrandinanonlineenvironment

thatnowincludes

AIenginesinaddition

tosocial

mediaandthetraditionalsearchexperience.Atthesametime,AIisreshapingtheskillsrequiredforlong-termemployability.

InstitutionsthatweaveAIliteracy

into

programs,while

doubling

down

on

human

skills

likejudgment,

creativity

and

ethical

reasoning,will

produce

graduateswhothriveinafuturewherepeopleandmachinesworksidebyside.CONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.2LeadershipImperativesThe

message

of

this

report

is

clear:

status

quo

protectionism

and

incrementalism

are

a

recipe

for

irrelevance.

Leadersmustdrivetransformationacrossthreedimensions:01

Portfolio–

Investinhigh-demand,career-orientedprogramswhilesunsettingunderperformingofferings.02Positioning

–

Unify

brand

and

enrollment

strategies

to

speakwith

one

clearvoice

to

all

ModernLearners

AND

meetthe

learnerwheretheyare,while

reinforcingthethreecritical

messagingcomponents

of

cost,

convenienceandcareeroutcomes.03

Culture–Instilla

student-centricculturebuilton

valuesandoutcomes.Investboldly

tocommunicate

value

anddeliveronthepromiseofthelong-termreturnoninvestmentinhighereducation.ADefiningMomentThisisaonce-in-a-generationleadershipmoment.Leaders

whoembracethedisruptionasopportunity

willnotonly

safeguardinstitutionalsustainability,but

they

willalsoredefine

theroleofhighereducationin

thelifeof

theModern

Learner.Thosewhohesitateorfailtoactdecisivelyriskfallingbehindinamarketplacethatisnowunforgiving.EducationDynamics

stands

ready

to

partner

with

institutions

who

are

prepared

to

act

boldly

and

leaders

who

recognizethatmeetingtheModern

Learner

wheretheyareisnot

justanenrollmentstrategy,butthenewmissionof

highereducationitself.CONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.3Key

TakeawaysCONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.4KeyTakeaway1AnUnstableEconomic

and

EmploymentLandscapeUncertaintyandinstabilityare

thenewconstantsina

globaleconomyundergoingsignificantstructuralchange.

The

labormarketisdefinedbyinconsistentand

fluctuatingindicatorsthatmake

futuretrendsdifficulttopredict.

While

overall

unemployment

remains

relatively

low,thistop-line

number

masks

underlyingweaknesses,

includingweak

jobcreationandloweremployeequitrates,whichsignalwidespreadeconomicanxietyandaworkforcehesitantto

makeboldcareermoves.

Thiscreatesachallengingenvironment

where

the

traditionalpromiseofadegreeneeds

to

bemorecompellingthanever.Amid

this

instability,

a

fundamental

paradox

has

emerged:

a

college

education

maintains

a

strong,

undeniable

correlationwith

higheremployment

rates,yetthe

public’s

perceptionof

itsvalue

is

in

asteep

and

steady

decline.

Thismisalignednarrativeputsimmensepressure

oninstitutionstoreclaim

their

story.Inamarketplacenow

defined

by

disruption

and

deep-seated

skepticism,

it

is

no

longer

enough

to

simply

possessvalue;you

must

aggressively,

transparently

and

relentlessly

prove

your

return

on

investment

to

every

prospective

student

and

continue

to

reinforcethismessagewithallstakeholders,includingyourstudents,alumni,industryandpoliticians.CONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.5KeyTakeaway2ARadically

Transformed

EnrollmentEnvironmentThe

enrollment

environment

has

notjust

evolved;

it

has

been

radically

and

permanently

transformed.While

fall

2024

showed

surface-level

enrollment

growth,

this

figure

conceals

faults

in

the

foundation.

The

demographic

cliffis

no

longerafuturethreatto

bediscussedin

boardrooms;

it

isa

present

reality

that

is

impacting

recruitment

funnels

today.

Fall

2025

was

the

demographic

high-water

mark

for

traditional-aged

undergraduates.

If

current

enrollment

rates

hold,

institutions

must

preparefor

a

sharp,

sustained

decline

intraditional

undergraduate-aged

students

beginning

in

2026andcontinuing

intotheforeseeablefuture.Transformative

leaders

are

already

acting

withurgentfocustoattractandservepreviouslyunderservedstudentmarkets.The

lessonsfromthesetrendsare

anunmistakablecalltoaction.Growth

is

now

driven

by

non-traditional

populations.

Adult

learners

seeking

to

upskill

in

a

volatile

economy,

ambitious

dual-enrollment

high

school

students

accelerating

their

path

to

a

degree

and

professionals

returning

to

complete

a

credential

are

the

newlifeblood

of

enrollment.For

decades,

these

students

were

a

secondary

consideration.Today,theyaretheprimarymarket.

Institutionsthatfailtotransformtheirprograms,marketingand

supportservicestothisnewrealitywillnot

juststagnate;theywillbecomeirrelevant.Demand

is

shifting

atthe

degree

and

programmaticlevels.

The

continued

enrollment

growth

in

community

colleges

andcertificate

programs

underscoresthe

Modern

Learner’s

laserfocusoncareeralignment,

speedto

completion

andatangiblereturnontheireducationalinvestment.Meanwhile,programmaticgrowthisconcentratedincareer-

focused

fields

like

healthcare,

technology

and

business,

while

traditional

pillars

like

the

humanities

and

social

sciences

facecontraction.

Thisisnotanindictmentofliberalartseducation,butaclearsignal

thatallprogramsmust

nowanswerthequestion:

“Whatisthepathtoasustainablecareer?”CONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.6KeyTakeaway3AIisAnUnmistakableForcewithFar-ReachingImplicationsThemostpotent

accelerant

of

this

transformationis

therapidintegration

of

ArtificialIntelligence(AI).

AIisnot

anew

tool.

The

technologyhasbeen

around

for

well

over

a

decade.However,itis

a

disruptive

force

fundamentallyrewiring

theworldaround

us.

Its

impact

is

multifold.

It

hasshatteredthestudent

recruitmentfunnelwhilesimultaneously,

transformingtheacademicandlearningprocessandredefiningtheverynatureofafuture-proofcareer.Modern

Learners

have

already

adopted

AI

as

a

trusted

tool

for

information

gathering.

Everything

from

student

searchto

retention

is

now

impacted

byAI

insomeway.Thisshift

is

reshaping

marketingchannels

in

realtimeand

turningthestudent

journeyintoaself-directed,hyper-personalizedprocess.AI’sintegrationintothe

workforcecreatesanadditionalpressurepoint

forbothinstitutionandstudent.

Theroleof

AIinthe

futureof

workcreatesdeepuncertainty

forstudents,

whonowquestioniftheirchosen

field

willevenexist

inadecade.This

placesa

new

imperativeon

institutions:todeliver

an

educationthat

not

only

imparts

knowledge

but

also

cultivates

uniquely

human

skills

like

critical

thinking,

ethical

reasoning

and

creativity,

all

while

building

deepAI

literacy.

Thevalue

of

a

degree

must

now

be

considered

by

its

ability

to

prepare

graduates

to

thrive

in

a

collaborativefuturewithintelligentmachines.CONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.7KeyTakeaway4AMandate

for

Transformative

LeadershipIn

an

era

of

constant

disruption,

incremental

adjustments

and

siloed

thinking

are

recipes

for

failure.

The

data

presentedinthisreportisamandateforafundamental,institution-wideshiftinstrategyandafocusonpullingthe

right

levels

to

drive

growth

and

revenue.

Survival

and,

ultimately,

success

now

depend

on

abandoning

outdated

structuresandembracingaunifiedinstitutionalstrategycenteredunequivocallyontheModernLearner.01

Align

Program

Portfolios

with

High-Growth

Sectors:

The

market

has

spoken

and

its

message

is

clear.Institutions

must

move

beyondtradition-boundcurriculumcommitteesand

implementa

rigorous,

data-driven

process

to

evaluatetheir

programofferings.This

meansactivelyinvestingin

programsthat

alignwith

current

andfuture

labor

market

demands

and

provide

studentswith

clear

pathways

to

successful,

high-mobility

careers.

It

also

requiresthe

leadershipandcouragetosunsetunderperforming

programsthat

no

longer

serve

a

clear

market

need,reallocatingthoseresourcestowardinnovationandgrowth.02Embracea

Unified

Brandand

EnrollmentStrategy:The

lines

betweenstudent

populations—undergraduate,

graduate,online,adult—haveeffectivelybeenerasedbytheModernLearnermindset.

Theresoundingmessage

fromallModernLearnersisa

focuson

threekeycomponentsofhighereducation:cost,convenienceandcareer

outcomes.Thisunifiedapproachoptimizeslimitedcampusresources,effectivelyengagesall

Modern

Learners

andservesasablueprintforgrowth.CONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.8Afragmentedstrategythatreliesonsiloeddepartmentstorecruitthesestudentsasafterthoughtsisdestined

tofail

inthis

newenvironment.Adisconnected

messagethat

fails

to

communicate

what

students

value

most

is

rejected

byyour

key

audience.

In

contrast,

a

truly

unified

strategy

centralizes

brand

messaging,

marketing

resources

and

enrollment

processes,

allowing

institutions

to

engage

all

prospective

students

efficiently

and

effectivelywithaconsistent,compellingnarrativetailoredtotheirindividualneedsandpathways.03Lead

the

Conversation

on

Value

and

Outcomes:

With

the

public’s

perception

of

higher

education’s

value

eroding,

institutionscanno

longeraffordtobepassive.

Leaders

must

proactivelyandtransparently

communicatetheir

worth

in

the

language

of

the

Modern

Learner.

This

means

moving

beyond

vague

platitudes

and

focusing

on

measurablecareeroutcomes,tangiblestudentsuccessstoriesandthe

harddata

that

demonstrates

a

positive

return

on

their

educational

investment.

Remember:

data

is

knowledge

and

knowledge

is

power.

Use

your

outcomesdatatobuildanunassailablecaseforyourinstitution’senduringvalue.Thefutureofhighereducationbelongstothosewillingtobuildit.We’renotwaitingforenrollmenttrendstoreboundorforfundingstreamstostabilize.Webelievegrowthispossible,sustainableandmeasurablewheninstitutionstakecontroloftheirnarrativeandaligntheirstrategies

aroundwhatreallymovestheneedle.BrentRamdin,

CEO

ofEducationDynamicsThis

is

Not

Business

as

Usual.

Thisis

What,sNext.CONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.9The

U.S.

labor

market

serves

as

both

a

bellwether

and

a

driver

for

higher

education.

The

structural

shifts

occurring

in

the

economy

and

labor

market

serveasacallto

actionforfundamental

change

to

both

meet

and

shape

the

future

employmentlandscape

and

global

economy.

After

several

years

of

sustained

post-pandemic

growth,

employers

are

cautious

to

fund

growth,

resulting

in

slow

job

creation

and

diminishing

the

bargaining

power

of

job

seekersandemployees.Atthesame

time,

thenatureofwork

and

careersisevolving

due

to

technological,

socialanddemographic

factors.Astechnologydrives

innovationandevolution,workersareforcedtoinvestinupskillingand

reskilling

to

remain

relevant

and

productive.

Workers

and

their

employers

areturningto

higher

educationtosupport

continuous

learning,

seeking

out

solutionsthatdeliveronthepromiseofhighereducation.Innovative

leaders

are

defining

new

ways

to

deliver

outcomes-focused

and

career-relevant

education

pathways

that

are

convenient,

flexible

and

cost

effectivewhiledelivering

immediate

returnsand

long-termvalue.

Designing

alternativecredentialsandproviding

programs

aligned

directly

to

high-

demandcareersisamongthemostimpactfulopportunitiesfor

bothworkers

andinstitutions.LaborMarketLandscapeCONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.102024-2025SeasonallyAdjustedUnemploymentRate4.4

4.34.24.03.83.63.4Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

MayJun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

20242025Source:U.S.Bureauof

Labor

Statistics,

Seasonally

AdjustedUnemploymentRateUnemployment

Trends:Signs

ofEconomicDistress

Are

EmergingUnemploymenthasbeguntoriseafterseveralyearsofstability,signalingthatworkershavefeweroptionsandless

mobilitythan

inthe

recent

past.Asjobsecurityweakens,

institutionsare

under

increased

pressureto

show

clear

careeroutcomes.Collegesthatforegroundjob

placement,appliedlearning

and

direct

employer

partnerships

can

positionthemselvesasthesafestroutethrougheconomicuncertainty.CONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.11UnemploymentRate

GapsbyEducationLevelEducational

attainment

continues

to

insulate

individuals

against

economic

downturns.

Workers

with

bachelor’s

degrees

and

higher

maintainstronger

employment

prospectsthanthosewithout

post-secondary

education.This

wideninggapunderscoresthelong-termpayoffofhighereducationinrealeconomicterms.UnemploymentRateGapsareWidening6.8%4.8%4.0%3.5%2.2%Source:U.S.Bureauof

Labor

Statistics,

June

2025Monthly

unemploymentby

educationalattainmentCONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.Bachelor’sdegree

andhigherSome

college,

no

degreeLess

thanHS

diplomaHighschool

graduateAssociate’sdegree12TheIncomePremium

ofHigherEducationOver

thepast

threedecades,

theincomeadvantageofhighereducationhasremainedstrikinglyconsistent.In2024,households

led

by

adults

with

at

least

a

bachelor’s

degree

earned

a

median

income

of$132,700-more

than

doublethe$58,400median

income

of

households

with

only

a

high

school

diploma.Whilebothgroupshaveexperiencedeconomicfluctuationstiedtorecessionsandbroader

labormarketshifts,the

long-term

divergence

is

clear.

Even

during

downturns,

households

headed

by

those

holding

a

bachelor’s

degree

maintainedasignificantearningsbuffer.This

wideningincome

gapreinforces

theargument

thathigher

educationisnotsimply

aboutimmediate

job

placementbut

aboutbuilding

durable

economic

security

across

alifetime.Forinstitutions,

thisis

apowerful

narrativeto

underscore

ROIfor

prospectivestudentsandfamilieswho

may

bequestioningthe

cost

of

college.At

the

same

time,

the

data

emphasizes:without

access

to

affordable

andflexible

postsecondary

pathways,workers

withoutdegreesriskbeingleftbehindinaneconomywhereeducationcontinuestodriveopportunity.MedianHouseholdIncomebyEducationalAttainment$132,700$58,40020052010

2015

20202024Bachelor’s

orMore(MedianHouseholdIncome,

$)

HighSchool(MedianHouseholdIncome,

$)Source:U.S.CensusBureau,CurrentPopulation

Survey(CPS);

Adjustedto2024dollars;2005-2024.140K120K100K80K60K40K20K0CONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.13ContinuousEducation

and

theModernLaborMarketWhile

unemployment

rates

clearly

highlight

the

economic

insulation

higher

education

provides,

it

is

increasingly

importantto

recognizethateducation

is

no

longeraone-timeeventthat

is

completed

early

in

life.The

traditional

modelisbeingchallengedbyrapidshiftsintechnology,automationandemployerskillrequirements.Modernlearnersarenavigatinga

labor

market

that

demands

continuous

education

and

skill

development.

Fromgraduatedegreestostackablecredentials,professionalcertificatesandshort-cycletrainingprograms,

today’s

workforce

requires

flexible

pathways

to

remain

competitive.

This

reality

underscores

the

widening

gap

in

unemployment

rates

by

education

level:

while

a

bachelor’s

degree

or

higher

continues

to

provide

insulation,

ongoing

upskilling

and

reskilling

are

now

essential

to

sustain

employability

and

career

mobility

across

the

entire

spanofworkinglife.For

higher

education

institutions,

the

takeaway

is

clear:

success

depends

on

delivering

programs

that

align

with

durable

labor

market

demand

while

also

meeting

the

modern

learner’s

need

for

lifelong

learning

opportunities.

Credentialsthatarecareer-relevant,adaptableandstackablewill

bethe

cornerstone

of

maintaining

employment

resilienceinaneconomywherechangeisconstant.LikelihoodofEnrollinginAnotherCredentialatYourCurrentSchoolNon-traditional

Undergraduate12%10%29%20%30%3.5TraditionalUndergraduate13%12%32%23%20%3.21-Definitely

not2-

Probably

not3-

Not

sure4-

Probably

would5-Definitely

wouldAverageratingTotal12%11%29%21%27%3.4Graduate12%11%28%21%28%3.4CONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.Source:ModernLearner

Survey

202514Job

Openingsand

Worker

ConfidenceJob

openings

have

contracted

significantly,fallingfrom

more

than

11

million

in

2022

to

under

8

million

in

2025.

Thismarksanotablecoolinginlabordemandafter

therecordhighsofthepost-pandemicrecovery.Feweropenings

signalthatemployersare

pulling

backon

aggressive

hiring

and

becoming

more

selective

intheir

recruitment.

For

prospectivestudents,thismeansthatthepathwaysintonew

jobsarenarrowing.Skills,credentialsand

experience

canhelp

job

seekers

differentiate

themselves,

whileinstitutions

canpartner

withlocal

employers

to

designprograms

todeliverandsupporttheacquisitionofeach.SeasonallyAdjustedJobOpenings2022-2025JobOpeningsandLaborTurnoverSurvey12,134Source:

JOLTS,

2022-2025The

jobopenings

volatilityacrossindustriesunderscoresastructuralshiftinhow

Americansengage

with

workand

by

extension,

how

they

must

engage

with

education.

Fields

once

viewed

as

stable,

such

as

education

and

health

care,

are

experiencing

contractions,

while

growth

is

accelerating

in

technology,

infrastructure

and

logistics.

This

divergencechallengestheassumptionthatasingledegreeearlyinlifecanensurelifelongstability.For

higher

education

institutions,

the

opportunity

lies

in

repositioning

themselves

as

lifelong

learning

partners

ratherthanone-timecredentialproviders.JanMar

MayJuly2022Sept

NovJanllIMar

MayJuly2023Sept

NovJanMar

MayJuly2024Sept

NovJanMar

May2025CONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.7,43715TotalMiningandloggingPrivateeducationalservices

DurablegoodsStateandlocal,excludingeducation

Arts,entertainment,andrecreation

Privateeducationandhealthservices

HealthcareandsocialassistanceStateandlocalgovernmentOtherservices

ManufacturingStateandlocaleducation

FinanceandinsuranceFederalGovernmentFinancialactivitiesProfessionalandbusinessservices

Realestateandrentalandleasing

RetailtradeLeisureandhospitalityAccommodationandfoodservicesNondurablegoodsTrade,transportation,andutilities

WholesaletradeTransportation,

warehousing,andutilitiesConstructionInformation-4%

-48%

mm-23%

-23%

-21%

mm-19%

-18%mm-17%

mm-16%mm-16%

-12%mm-7%

mm-6%

mm-6%

-5%

-4%

0%n1%m

4%

8% 9%mm

12%

18%

28%

34%mm

76%SeasonallyAdjustedJobOpenings%Change

July2024to

July2025by

IndustrySource:BLS

Seasonally

Adjusted

JobOpenings%Change

July

2024to

July

2025CONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.16QuitRatesOver

the

past

four

years,

voluntary

quit

rates

have

slowed

significantly,

an

indicator

that

worker

confidence

is

eroding.Inrecent

years,the

“GreatResignation”

reflectedoptimismthatemployeescouldleaveone

jobandquickly

findanother,oftenathigherpay.

Thatdynamichas

faded.

With

fewer

workers

willing

togambleonuncertaincareer

moves,mobilityisdecliningacrossmanysectors.

Thissignals

thatadultlearners

willonlyreturn

tohighereducation

ifinstitutionsofferflexibleformats,affordablepathwaysandcredentialswithunmistakablelabormarketvalue.QuitRates3.0%2021

2025Source:U.S.Bureauof

Labor

Statistics,

Seasonally

AdjustedCONFIDENTIALINFORMATIONOFEDUCATIONDYNAMICS,LLC

Copyright?2025EducationDynamics,LLC.

AllRightsReserved.2.1%17QuitRatesbyIndustryDuringthe

pandemic

recovery,sectors

like

leisureand

hospitality,

retailand

professionalservicessaw

historically

hi