What’s Ahead in Higher Ed? 10 Trends to Watch in 2026

Higher education is entering 2026 in a period defined by rapid change, mounting pressure, and meaningful opportunity. Institutions are being asked to do more with less, meet rising expectations from students and families, and adapt quickly to shifting policy, technology, and market conditions. 

From enrollment volatility and evolving student behavior to emerging policy changes and the next wave of AI adoption, colleges and universities will need to be more agile than ever. And all of this while staying focused on what matters most: serving learners and delivering results. 

10 Higher ed trend predictions from Collegis leaders 

We gathered insights from Collegis leaders across disciplines to share their perspectives on where higher education is headed. Below are the trends we believe will shape higher education in 2026, and practical ways institutions can prepare for what’s next. 

1. The Efficiency Era of enrollment: scaling results without scaling staff 

Enrollment teams are under growing pressure to meet goals with leaner resources. In 2026, institutions will focus on improving the fundamentals: speed-to-lead, workflow efficiency, conversion rates, and the overall experience from inquiry through enrollment. 

How to prepare: Identify friction points across the enrollment funnel and use automation to streamline manual processes, strengthen follow-up, and improve conversion at every stage. 

2. IT resilience becomes a competitive necessity: managed services fill the gap 

As expectations for digital experiences grow, stable and secure systems are no longer “behind the scenes”. They’re central to institutional performance. In 2026, more colleges and universities will lean on managed services to access technical expertise, strengthen support, reduce downtime, and maintain momentum on modernization without expanding internal IT teams. 

How to prepare: Assess critical systems and service levels, then determine where managed IT services can improve reliability and reduce risk. 

3. AI-powered cyber threats accelerate: stronger protections become unavoidable 

Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated as bad actors use AI to scale phishing, social engineering, deepfake fraud, and automated vulnerability scanning. In 2026, institutions will need to strengthen security quickly, using improved detection and monitoring while also tightening user protections. 

That will likely mean more visible changes for end users, including stronger password requirements, broader multi-factor authentication, and increased security training. 

How to prepare: Enhance threat detection, enforce stronger access controls, and invest in ongoing training to reduce risk across the institution. 

4. Federal policy disruption reshapes affordability strategy (Big Beautiful Bill Act) 

Policy shifts tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act could influence affordability and student borrowing in 2026, particularly impacting how students evaluate graduate and professional programs. Institutions may see shifts in demand and increased sensitivity to cost and ROI. 

How to prepare: Monitor changes closely, model potential enrollment impacts, and align recruitment messaging around value, outcomes, and support. 

5. AI moves from experimentation to proof: outcomes over hype 

Many institutions have experimented with AI tools, but 2026 will be about results. Schools will prioritize AI use cases that improve speed, consistency, and efficiency across marketing, admissions, student support, and operations — all while establishing clearer governance. 

How to prepare: Focus on practical applications, set policies and guardrails, and measure impact from the start. 

6. Real-time performance analytics becomes a necessity 

Institutions have access to more data than ever, but many still struggle to translate it into timely action. In 2026, successful teams will rely on real-time insight into marketing and enrollment performance to adjust faster, spend smarter, and improve outcomes. 

How to prepare: Strengthen reporting and dashboards, unify key data sources, and build a culture of continuous optimization. 

7. The “all-in-one platform” promise fades as tech stacks fragment 

The idea that one tool can do everything is fading. Institutions are increasingly building ecosystems across CRM, marketing automation, student success platforms, and analytics tools — creating new challenges around integration, ownership, and execution. 

How to prepare: Prioritize interoperability, clarify responsibilities across systems, and align technology decisions to student lifecycle goals. 

8. OPM unbundling accelerates: partnerships become modular 

Institution-partner relationships are evolving quickly. Rather than relying on a single end-to-end model, more institutions are taking a modular approach — selecting partners based on specific goals like enrollment, student support, analytics, or program growth. 

How to prepare: Identify where internal resources are stretched and where specialized support can create the biggest measurable impact. 

9. Retention becomes the new enrollment growth strategy 

With acquisition costs rising and competition intensifying, more institutions will shift focus from “recruiting more students” to keeping more of the students they already have. In 2026, retention efforts will expand beyond early alerts and advising to include stronger proactive outreach, clearer pathways, and more support for students balancing work, family, and financial stress. 

Re-engaging stop-outs will also become a priority as schools look for realistic ways to stabilize enrollment and improve outcomes. 

How to prepare: Strengthen lifecycle engagement strategies, identify high-risk points in the student journey, and build scalable support models that keep learners moving forward. 

10. Competition intensifies: performance marketing + differentiation + responsiveness win 

Competition for students is increasing, and prospective learners expect clear value, relevant communication, and fast responses. In 2026, institutions will need sharper differentiation, stronger outcomes storytelling, and more consistent engagement across the student journey. 

How to prepare: Refine program positioning, improve speed-to-response, and optimize recruitment efforts based on performance (not assumptions.) 

Looking ahead: Turning 2026 pressure into progress 

2026 will reward institutions that move quickly, remain focused, and keep students at the center of every decision. Collegis Education helps colleges and universities translate change into progress — supporting enrollment growth, student success, data-driven decision-making, and operational resilience. 

If you’re ready to strengthen outcomes this year, we’re ready to help.