What will education be like in 20 years? A professor of strategy at the Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Business, has written a though provoking article regarding “US higher education in 2040”, with specific focus on the commonplace 4-year bachelor’s degree. Our analysis is as follows:

Prediction #1: 50% Of U.S. College Degrees Will Be Awarded To Students Who Have Spent Three Years Or Less On A College Campus.

Covid19 is driving this prediction towards a near future reality. Further, reducing the current 4-year degree to 3 year is supported by financial and psychological factors in addition to credits. Considering that time has the utmost importance in this fast-growing world. Students are inclined to spend less time and achieve results more quickly. Offsetting this trend is are the crucial questions: Will the tendency to save time and reduce tuition fees affect the quality of a bachelor’s degree? This may be a moot point, in a fast-growing marketplace where professional need to continue refreshing their knowledge throughout their career.

Prediction 2: Up To 500 Private Colleges And Universities Offering 4-Year Degrees Will Close.

This prediction is difficult to confirm or foretell, especially with a growing population. The increase in online credits and online classes has enabled large programs to expand at the expense smaller lesser known programs, on campus only programs, or poorly marketing options. While our education system is certainly destined to change, the extent of closures is a certainty.

Prediction #3: The For-Profit Market For College Education Will Continue To Rebound And Account For 20% Or More Of College Credits (Not Degrees) Provided Each Year.

There is an increased interest in online courses currently, and the ability to transfer credits amongst programs in the United States. The US credit system is different from Europe and other parts of the world in that a required number of credits are required to graduate a programme. And the transfer of low-cost credits can increase a student’s GPA and while reducing tuition fees for a degree. We agree with Blount’s view that “economically motivated owners will recognize the market opportunity in credits, if they have not already, and it will become their core business.”

Prediction #4: College Admissions At Highly Ranked Schools Will Become Both More Transparent And Even More In-Demand. These School Will Respond By Altering Their Offerings.

Existing institutions working and admission policies are under pressure to be more transparent due to the United States emphasis on race as a factor impacting admissions. Dartmouth’s flexible “the D-plan” is a model we will see more of in the future. No matter what your major, and whatever engages you outside the classroom, the D-Plan’s flexibility means you don’t have to choose between your on-campus commitments and the opportunity to work, study, or serve off-campus and abroad. In short, the concept of future education leans more towards spending less time in the campus and classrooms. Real life classrooms will continue to shift to virtual classrooms and off campus programmes will increase.

Prediction #5: Hundreds Of Former College Campuses Will Be Bought By Companies Operating For-Profit Education, Senior Living Facilities, Etc. — Whether It Be Private Equity Owners, Chinese Investors, Or Other Financially Oriented Sponsors.

This is a logical business prediction. Investors and entrepreneurs will scoop up undervalued real estate and repurpose it to meet the evolving needs of the marketplace. Ust as Amazon is purchasing failing malls and turning them into fulfilment centres.

OUR CONCLUSION:

The global economy supports part time jobs, off campus programs and online classes. Can online and virtual classes replacement of real-life campus education? Sure, they can. Will they be as valuable? That will vary by student. Our organization look forward to serving student who have educated themselves via the traditional route or the online route. In either scenario, AIE will enable you to demonstrate your capabilities and further your career.