Trends for Higher Education

Within the world of higher education, what are some of today’s key trends—and what are some implications for institutions of higher learning?

We’ve organized Trends using STEEP:

• Social: How people think, behave, and interact, including beliefs, values, culture, and lifestyle


• Technology: How people use technology (including hardware and software), how society relies on technology, and how technology affects society


• Economic: Macro- or microeconomics, including global trends, anything related to jobs and skills needed for jobs, and industry shifts


• Environmental: Our external surroundings, including sustainability and our evolving workplaces, cities, and living spaces


• Political: Public policy, governmental systems, the people within them, and the effects of government decisions on our citizens and communities

Each trend includes a brief trend summary, a footnoted source, and discussion questions to help you analyze and act on the trend.