Higher education is experiencing transformative shifts as institutions respond to societal, economic, and technological changes. This year is set to bring new opportunities and challenges. We’re always keeping a pulse on the industry and where it’s headed so we can stay proactive and prepared –– ready to support our partners through whatever conditions they’re facing.

To help institutions stay ahead, we asked our team of experts to share their predictions for this year’s most impactful trends in higher education. From AI and digital transformation to new enrollment strategies, these insights highlight what’s shaping the future of higher ed— and how institutions can adapt.

The pace of mergers and consolidations among smaller colleges is expected to accelerate in 2025, according to Collegis Education CEO Kim Fahey. With financial pressures and declining enrollment, many institutions will view mergers as a strategic alternative to closure. But these transitions are anything but simple.

“Mergers involve unique technology requirements and complex data management challenges,” Fahey explains. Successfully integrating applications, systems, and hardware requires expert guidance. Higher ed leaders will look to partner with experienced organizations to help navigate these intricacies.

The information security landscape is becoming increasingly intricate. With 21 comprehensive state privacy laws, alongside European Union (EU) regulations, federal rules, and Title IV requirements, compliance challenges are mounting.

“Smaller schools often lack the experience and qualifications to manage these threats,” notes Dr. Jason Nairn, CISSP, Collegis VP of Information Technology. Cyberattacks, like phishing and social engineering, are relentless. In 2025, institutions must prioritize more robust cybersecurity measures, leveraging external partnerships and security tools to protect sensitive data.

Cloud migration will take center stage as institutions transition away from outdated, on-campus systems. While many schools still rely on highly customized platforms, which limits their ability to adopt or migrate to more modern technology, the adaptability and scalability of cloud platforms are simply too compelling to ignore.

Furthermore, technology infrastructures must be sufficiently modernized in order to capitalize on emerging tech innovations in AI and predictive analysis. This process can’t happen overnight –– it’s an evolution, according to Fahey.

“Cloud migrations take 18+ months, so schools need to act now,” she emphasizes. An institution-wide commitment to digital transformation will not only modernize operations but also position institutions to stay competitive in an increasingly tech-driven environment.

Financial constraints will push smaller schools toward shared services and consortium models to access the technology and expertise they need at a manageable scale. These models allow institutions to pool resources and reduce costs but require significant change management, according to Jeff Certain, VP of Solution Development at Collegis.

“This will require schools to standardize and make some concessions,” Certain explains. “This could pose a challenge, but they may not have an option.” Institutions must embrace these shifts to remain sustainable while navigating limited budgets.

Programs aligning with workforce needs will gain momentum in 2025. Alternative credentials like microcredentials and certificates will become more prominent, offering shorter, career-oriented pathways for learners.

“Institutions will increasingly recognize and credit learning outside the classroom, exploring more direct pathways into the workforce,” predicts Dr. Tracy Chapman, Chief Academic Officer for Collegis. This reflects growing demand for flexible, career-focused education that meets student and employer expectations.

It is not just colleges and universities facing consolidation. Ed tech companies and services providers are also reshaping the landscape with their own mergers and acquisitions. While these changes may offer schools more comprehensive solutions, they may not necessarily align with institutional objectives.

“Some recent acquisitions have led to poorer customer experiences,” Fahey observes. Institutions must carefully evaluate new partnerships to ensure they will deliver meaningful improvements.

With the “enrollment cliff” looming, institutions must double down on maintaining their existing student base as a key to sustainability. Purposeful and cost-effective retention strategies will play a pivotal role in maintaining financial health, as retaining current students is often more cost-effective than recruiting new ones.

“Retention strategies build stronger, more loyal communities,” says Patrick Green, VP of Enrollment Strategy. Forward-looking schools have perceived the importance of fostering a sense of belonging across the student lifecycle and are providing robust support networks that improve student persistence and satisfaction.

Students and families are increasingly demanding clear ROI from their education. As a result, institutions will need to demonstrate how their programs lead directly to employment and career advancement.

“Building relationships with regional industries and showcasing job placement rates will be essential,” advises Tanya Pankratz, AVP of Marketing at Collegis. Marketing efforts will need to start highlighting tangible outcomes (e.g., alumni success stories, job placement rates, and employer partnerships) to win over prospective students.

AI and other emerging technologies will revolutionize higher education operations. From enrollment management and personalized marketing to virtual campus tours using augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), technology has the means to dramatically enhance the student experience –– or wreak technical havoc if data, platforms and tools are misaligned.

“AI-driven tools make personalization more accessible, but the strategy remains critical,” notes Dan Antonson, AVP of Data and Analytics. Institutions must invest in data infrastructure to fully harness these advancements in order to build and maintain a competitive edge.

Higher ed institutions are increasingly recognizing that they don’t need to own the entire value chain. In 2025, strategic partnerships will play a more prominent role.

“Institutions will double down on their core mission of education and seek out partners to support other critical functions,” Dr. Chapman explains. These partnerships provide access to technology, expertise, and resources, allowing schools to focus on what they do best — educating students.

As evident in this compilation of higher ed trends, the landscape is set for significant change in 2025 and beyond. Institutions that proactively address these trends will be well-positioned to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. By embracing digital transformation, fostering strategic partnerships, and adopting value-driven approaches, schools can ensure long-term success in an evolving marketplace.

Excited about the opportunities that lie ahead? Collegis Education has the experience and expertise to guide you through any twists and turns you may face. We’ll help you stay on the leading edge instead of chasing trends. Connect with us and let’s start creating solutions together.

As the number of high school graduates declines, more and more colleges and universities are looking to the Some College, No Credential (SCNC) population as an opportunity for growth. According to the National Student Clearinghouse, there are 36.8 million people in this group, an increase of 2.9% from the previous year.

While many SCNC individuals stop out of higher education due to cost concerns, life changes, and mental health challenges, there is a segment of this population that has been forced to discontinue their degree program for reasons outside of their control.

The higher education landscape has been undergoing significant upheaval in recent years, with an increasing number of colleges and universities facing financial challenges and being forced to close or merge with other institutions. This trend has been driven by a variety of factors, including the looming “enrollment cliff” — a projected decline in the number of high school graduates due to demographic shifts — as well as rising costs, changing student preferences, and the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For those of us following higher education news and trends, it can feel like a new school closure is announced every week. Higher Ed Dive publishes a tracker that indicates 118 colleges have been impacted by closures or mergers since 2016 (as of June 18, 2024).

Closures often leave students in a precarious position, scrambling to find alternative paths to complete their education. Tragically, a staggering 53% of students from closed colleges ultimately give up on their education altogether, according to a study by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO). The challenges of navigating the transfer process, coupled with the loss of credits and mounting financial obligations, can become overwhelming, leading many students to abandon their academic aspirations.

Those who do manage to transfer to another institution often face additional hurdles. Fewer than half of the students who transfer stay long enough to earn their degrees, further highlighting the difficulties they encounter in adapting to a new academic environment and overcoming the setbacks caused by the college closure.

The SHEEO study shows the similarities and differences at an aggregate level of students from closed colleges versus students at open colleges. Students from closed institutions are more likely to be black, female, and federal Pell Grant recipients, which are awarded to students from low-income families. They are also likely to be under age 24 and attending college full-time.

Students who experienced college closures but enrolled within 120 days of closure were mostly female, white, and older than 30 at the time of closure.

The biggest hurdle students face is understanding their options and next steps. This requires having access to experienced advisors to help them understand and navigate these options. They need guidance on how to access their academic transcripts, which colleges will accept their previously earned credits, and what the implications are for their financial aid and student loans. These are complex issues that can overwhelm students. For those blindsided by their school’s closure, attempting to navigate this landscape alone often leads to confusion and frustration, and many ultimately give up on completing their degree.

Here are some recommendations your school can adopt to support students impacted by closures in your region.

Having your school shut down in the midst of your degree program is an incredibly disruptive experience. The path forward seems unclear and daunting. Students impacted by these closures often feel a mix of emotions: anger at the situation, sadness over the loss of their school community, fear about their future prospects, and a sense of hopelessness or of being cheated out of their educational journey.

Many start to question whether continuing to pursue a degree is worth the effort. They may feel the same stresses and anxieties they experienced as high school seniors, having to re-evaluate options, navigate application processes, and make major life decisions all over again. And they’ll be looking for signs of stability and program viability in their next school.

The more notice a student has of their school closing, the better they do. Unfortunately, some schools have given as little as two weeks’ notice. Students impacted by schools that were transparent about the challenges they were facing, and the possibility of closure, have been able to navigate their experience with more resilience. Proactively offering to partner with schools in financial distress to develop transition plans for their students will not only provide a lifeline for students but also demonstrate your commitment to higher education and the well-being of the community at large.

Transition plans should outline clear pathways for seamless credit transfers, financial aid assistance, and academic advising. By working together, you can ensure that students’ academic progress is not disrupted and their hard-earned credits are recognized.

Help students navigate this challenging time by activating a marketing strategy that provides resources to students who’ve been impacted by a school closure. Key questions students will be asking themselves:

• Does my school have a teach-out plan to help me complete my degree?
• Which schools will accept the credits I have already earned?
• How do I get official copies of my transcript?
• What is the status of my financial aid?
• Can I/should I discharge my student loans?

We recommend including the following tactics in your marketing strategy to reach these students:

• Create a landing page specifically for the identified school with messaging that speaks to their students. Messaging should encourage them to continue with their studies while offering support and detailing the options available at your school. Be as specific as possible around teach-out/transfer details. All marketing activities should direct students to this page.
• Create organic social media posts offering support to students from the identified school. Feature testimonials of transfer students from the closed school if available.
• Prepare statements for leadership and faculty to share on their own social media channels.
• Distribute the messaging and approach for managing inquiries with the admissions team.
• If applicable, plan targeted media campaigns for the geographical area in paid search and paid social channels.

Ensure your transfer policies are straightforward and lean toward accepting as many credits as possible. Take the time to evaluate course-substitution options from the closing institution to maximize the number of credits that can transfer.

Your admissions team should also be prepared to suggest alternative degrees if they are more aligned with the student’s existing credits. When possible, work with the closing school to receive students’ transcripts to take that burden off the student. Promise students prompt transfer evaluations, ensuring that internal operations are organized to complete evaluations in 24 hours or less.

You may charge nominal fees during the application process to demonstrate an applicant is serious about wanting to attend the institution. But paying those fees often requires accessing unfamiliar systems and can be one more cumbersome hurdle these transfer students don’t need while their lives are in upheaval.

Students who are motivated to transfer right away are focused on their goal of finishing their degree. They need an institution that is willing and able to move quickly. Identify a core group of employees who can be dedicated to ensuring these students are accommodated. Streamline your admissions process to remove unnecessary requirements for students in this circumstance.

Provide additional support for their transition to your program, understanding that the majority are younger full-time students. Help residential students find appropriate housing or adapt from on-campus learning to an online program.

Once impacted students express interest, create an automated communication journey to help them move through the process of application, transfer evaluation, scholarship and financial aid packages, and enrollment.

According to Jospeh Sallustio, senior vice president for Lindenwood Global at Lindenwood University, schools that can be agile will have increased administrative and academic expenses; but in the long run, they will enjoy a stronger brand through earned respect of their students and alumni.

As you plan to support transfer students from closing schools in your region, Collegis can help you navigate this complex landscape. Through close collaboration with our partners, we meticulously craft processes and messaging that instill confidence in students as they chart their path forward. By testing the effectiveness of our messaging and adapting to their preferred engagement styles, we guide students seamlessly through the enrollment process and illuminate the profound impact that your programs can have on their careers and lives.

To ensure an effective, student-centered approach, we can also map your enrollment process, identify opportunities, and execute strategies that prioritize these students’ unique needs. As an extension of your team and institution, we’ll build a collaborative approach to help students from closing colleges and universities beat the odds and continue their education. Contact us to learn more.