Is It Smart To Go To College?

Is It Smart To Go To College?

Prolonged periods of falling enrolments, economic volatility and anti-DEI laws have pushed many US higher education institutions to breaking point, leaving hordes of students questioning the value of attending college. Research by Higher Ed Dive reveals that since 2016, over 100 colleges have closed or merged in the US, having been hit hard by annual enrolment declines of 18% since 2011. Amid intensifying safety concerns, unstable state funding and incoming regulations, it is imperative that institutions prioritize the digital transformation of their campus facilities to boost student experience and safeguard the survival of their business and brand.

With 67% of North American education organizations citing that ESG, sustainability and decarbonization market trends are already significantly shaping real estate strategies, looming threats of ESG mandates are forcing institutions to double down on sustainability initiatives to uphold brand reputation (see Verdantix Global Corporate Survey 2023: Smart Building Technology Budgets, Priorities & Preferences). Student communities are becoming increasingly passionate about driving change in this arena, seeking organizations that align with their beliefs: witness the recent collaboration of student activists from across 12 states to demand lawmaker action against climate change. Therefore, the colleges that make bold investments in renewable technologies, for example – like Ball State University’s extensive geothermal energy system – are likely to gain a competitive advantage.

Alongside climate resiliency targets, colleges have a social responsibility to respond in times of natural disasters and provide refuge for the community. University of South Florida served as an emergency shelter during Hurricane Idalia in 2023. With the ever-worsening frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, higher education facilities must focus on futureproofing their facilities with climate resilient technologies. By ensuring funds are allocated to campus facilities upgrades, colleges can maintain investment momentum by attracting postgraduates to fuel academic and institutional reputation.

With the average number of distance and hybrid learning enrolments in the US increasing by 26% since 2012, blended learning is taking a firm foothold in the sector. Despite the rise of virtual platforms and EdTech advancements, in-person participation remains an indispensable element of student experience, cultivating a sense of belonging and leading to higher rates of success post-graduation. For example, Modern Campus reveals that students who are more involved in campus life are 1.8 times more likely to be employed after graduating.

Technology is crucial for collecting campus utilization data, enabling businesses to proactively improve student and staff experiences, strengthen brand reputation, and ensure impactful funding allocations. This data-driven approach sets a positive cycle in motion, allowing colleges to use data to test and refine facility improvements – ultimately positioning them as leading innovators.

To find out more, read Verdantix Future Of Higher Education Facilities (North America). For access to further ‘Future Of’ reports when they are released, please get in contact at [email protected] – or if you are a qualifying corporate practitioner, be sure to sign up for free access through our Vantage platform. For further insights into the future of higher education facilities and offices, watch our webinar on The Future Of Real Estate & Facilities: Reimagining Higher Education And Offices For 2050.