5 Trends to Watch in Higher Education for 2025

• 01/08/25

3) Sustainable Facilities and Initiatives

The majority of today's students are concerned with their environmental impact and consider sustainability an important factor in making decisions. A 2024 survey identified that 61% of students consider an institution's commitment to the environment before deciding to apply to or attend the school. In 2025, the incorporation of sustainable facilities and initiatives at an institution remains a top asset for student recruitment and retention, making sustainability a powerful trend in higher education this year.

Declining enrollment, tighter budgets, and increased general costs have higher education institutions focused on thoughtful spending of every dollar. Still, maintaining and upgrading educational facilities through a sustainable approach is a worthwhile investment to retain current student satisfaction and capture the attention of prospective students.

In 2025, institutions will focus on making investments that are economical yet address long-term sustainability goals. When modernizing educational facilities, institutions will make choices that are sustainably driven, cost-effective, and long-lasting. This includes sustainable design practices, flexible and multipurpose furnishings that are designed to last, and more efficient energy management solutions guided by data, AI, and smart technology.

Colleges and universities can further enhance their sustainability and demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility through recycling programs, climate pledges, green certifications, and providing sustainability-focused majors and courses.

4) Varied Approaches to Learning and Credentialing

Post-secondary learners are taking new and diverse approaches to achieve their educational goals, whether they are obtaining certificates, degrees, micro-credentials, or continuing education credits. Many current undergraduate students are taking an alternative pathway to a degree, completing AP course credits in high school, acquiring core credits online or at a community college, and then transferring to a larger university to complete a specialized degree program.

For the first time since the pandemic, student transfers are on the rise, particularly among disadvantaged student populations. As students reshape what the higher education experience looks like for them, institutions will need to prepare for the impacts of increased transfer enrollment by implementing approachable transfer applications, transparent policies, and a smooth transfer credit process.

We also expect institutions to expand their non-degree programs in 2025, continuing to address the needs of learners who are seeking to acquire specific skills and micro-credentials. In particular, the need for new certifications and courses in AI and cybersecurity will increase as current students and continuing education learners seek out targeted skill development opportunities in these subject areas. Continuous learning and micro-credentialing allow professionals, graduates, and current students to upgrade their skills and knowledge, contributing to ongoing professional development as technology rapidly evolves.

5) Career Technical Education and other Industry-Focused Programs

As technology continues to advance, skilled professionals are in high demand. Technical education is no longer viewed solely as a backup option for students who aren't attending undergraduate programs for various reasons. Many students are seeking out career technical education (CTE) and other industry credentialing or job training programs as their top choice for post-secondary education. Offering high-wage jobs in fast-growing industries such as robotics, engineering, and manufacturing, CTE programs are attractive to students, equipping them with highly marketable skills.

Many technical industries are experiencing a persistent skills gap, resulting in a misalignment between the skills held by job candidates and those most demanded by employers. While professional development and micro-credentials can help partially address this gap, additional CTE programs are needed to train workers with skills that are directly applicable to vacant jobs. Many technical colleges and vocational schools are underfunded and need modern technology and additional resources to help close the skills gap. In 2025, we will see a push for education policy that provides greater funding for CTE initiatives, allowing states to expand these programs and enroll more students.