Report

The State of Higher Education 2026

For sixty years, colleges answered every strategic question by growing bigger—more programs, more campuses, more students. That approach no longer works. Choosing where to concentrate resources, which students to serve, and when to partner will define the next era of higher education. 

Jeff Selingo's annual State of Higher Education report examines six converging pressures, giving leaders the insight to act while they still have room to shape their institution's future.  

  • The Business Model

  • Higher Ed in Washington

  • Research

  • Artificial Intelligence

  • Athletics

  • Governance

Cover image consisting of a dark blue background with dots of light and narrow lines, and title The State of Higher Education by Jeff Selingo September 2026, and partial views of four interior pages of the report that show text and charts.

 

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