“You cannot step twice in the same river.” – Heraclitus
Higher education is built to further and foster new acquisition of knowledge. And while reactionaries may wish for days gone by and historians will remind us that history rhymes, every year brings new opportunities. We have spent the past year documenting the changes and pressures on higher education, as well as providing summaries of trends and evolutions that we think can help higher education institutions continue delivering their positive impact on our society through better product delivery, definition and communication. In 2026, a few key themes will dominate our attention and lead the reskilling of higher education itself.
1. AI Is Here, and Higher Ed Must Embrace It
AI adoption in higher education has been uneven and inconsistent, yet it is impacting every facet of education delivery and talent development regardless. Like many disruptive technologies, the consumers (or learners in this case) are leading adoption and forcing the change through their behaviors. At MIT and the University of South Florida, AI is already among the most popular majors. Forward-looking universities understand that AI fluency across disciplines, not just computer science, is becoming foundational to student success and institutional relevance. Universities who restrict use of AI rather than reimagining their approach to education delivery are at risk of failing to deliver the transformational skills that will be required of their graduates. As Fortune reports, institutions that ban AI over fears of cheating may be “hurting Gen Z job searchers,” signaling a profound disconnect between campus policy and workplace reality. And professors and researchers themselves are predicted to be impacted by AI adoption. All while at the same time being challenged to deliver on their institutional and societal promise of accurately assessing the knowledge acquisition of their students. AI is no longer a novelty or future consideration, it’s a competitive differentiator and universities need to embrace it.
2. AI Is Impacting Enrollment Decisions
AI isn’t just changing the classroom; it’s reshaping how students find, evaluate, and apply to college. With new tools like startup ESAI and GPT-based search assistants, students now approach admissions with highly personalized expectations, seeking automated school matching, real-time financial aid comparisons, and AI-curated campus fit.
This means that institutions must evolve how they present themselves. Updating content for AI discoverability, structuring messaging around student questions (not institutional priorities), and transparently sharing how AI is used in the admissions process will all be table stakes in the next recruitment cycle.
Admissions can no longer be viewed as just a single process, it’s a product, and AI is powering the new interface.
3. The Four-Year Degree: Not a One Size Fits All
The perception of the traditional, four-year bachelor’s degree has been in question for over a decade. The definition of a “traditional” college student flipped around 1999 as more students who were older when they enrolled, many being over 12 months out of high school, might not hold a traditional high school diploma, were likely caregivers, and generally were not taking classes at a residential institution. As in, these were not 18 year olds right out of high school “going to college.” And recent polling from NBC News shows that a majority of Americans, a striking 71%, no longer see a four-year degree as worth the cost. Which aligns with the shift in federal policy and political position relating to opinions about higher education. And while that is all true, interestingly, the actual behavior of our population still maintains the status quo, as enrollments at public and private four-year institutions have held steady, and have even grown outside of pandemic-related dips.
Similarly, skill-based hiring is growing, but in practice, few employers are abandoning degree requirements. The degree’s symbolic and economic value still matters, especially as companies navigate an uncertain labor market.
So rather than retreat, smart institutions should continue to diversify their offerings by adding stackable credentials, embedding certifications into degree pathways, and forging clearer ROI for learners. The degree is not dead, but education and talent development must continue to evolve.
4. The Global Student Landscape is Fragmenting
The current US Federal Administration has made it abundantly clear that it is not in favor of easy access to the US, our education system, or any other benefits. Our global community are wise enough to “get the message.” Which means that the handful of countries that have dominated US international student recruitment has been disrupted. Rising costs, geopolitical uncertainty, and new destination markets have easily supplanted the US, UK, Canada and Australian higher education student pipeline, whether by design or accident.
Affordability is a key issue: students from India and China face repayment timelines of 15–20 years for U.S. degrees. Simultaneously, countries like Germany, Singapore, Ireland, and even Vietnam are becoming more attractive—offering cultural proximity, career opportunities, and lower costs.
And while the short-term political gains of nativism may equate to political wins at home, the longer term impact of closed markets and isolationism will not be felt until years later. Brand recognition and access to the US market still has some value, but ensuring that your institution remains viable against global competition amid changing migration patterns and economic conditions will remain a challenge.
Learner-Centricism Is the Common Good
Across all these trends, one truth stands out: the future belongs to institutions that organize around the learner. Whether through digital credentials, flexible learning models, student support, or AI-powered experiences, colleges and universities that prioritize real-world relevance, student well-being, and future readiness will outperform.
Higher education is not in crisis. It’s in transition. The year ahead is not a time for hesitation. It’s a time for bold, learner-focused leadership.
Let’s shape what’s next, together.
