Higher Ed Pulse

The Consumer Confidence Crisis

Episode Summary

Seth and Mallory explore the rising consumer confidence crisis in higher education. As more students and families question the value of a traditional college degree, higher ed institutions are faced with the challenge of proving their worth in an evolving marketplace.

Episode Notes

Seth and Mallory explore the rising consumer confidence crisis in higher education. As more students and families question the value of a traditional college degree, higher ed institutions are faced with the challenge of proving their worth in an evolving marketplace. 

Key Takeaways:

• The consumer confidence crisis in higher ed is growing, with fewer Americans believing in the value of a college degree.
• Marketers must focus on program-level success stories to combat negative perceptions of the overall industry.
• ROI transparency is critical: colleges should openly share post-graduation employment stats and wage outcomes to attract value-conscious students.
• Micro-credentials and alternative pathways are rising in demand, but many institutions question their financial sustainability.
• Brand matters more than ever in higher ed, with some institutions able to rise above the industry-wide confidence crisis.
• Growth in the future will likely be more "surgical," requiring a focus on high-performing programs rather than an institution-wide approach.

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