Skip navigation
EAB Logo Navigate to the EAB Homepage Navigate to EAB home
Research Report

Ensuring Independent School Financial Sustainability

With growing concerns about economic and demographic changes, price of tuition, and questions of the value of independent school education, financial sustainability is an issue for independent schools. Discover how independent schools can overcome demographic, enrollment, and affordability concerns to become more fiscally stable and sustainable.

With growing concerns about economic and demographic changes, price of tuition, and questions of the value of independent school education, financial sustainability is an issue for independent schools.

This brief highlights major factors that impact financial sustainability and lays out six levers you can use to inflect it: advancement, cost cutting, alternative revenues, enrollment management, financial aid management, and strengthening the value proposition. The included diagnostic will help you identify your school’s market position and tailor your sustainability strategy.

Understanding the sustainability concerns of independent schools

Shifting demographics, rising tuition, and increased competition from lower cost or free educational options all pose challenges to the future sustainability of independent schools. Add to that questions about the value proposition of a high-cost lower school education and the rising cost of college, many independent schools are facing new enrollment challenges that threaten the independent schools business model. Continue reading for more information about these drivers of financial sustainability concerns.

Key levers of financial sustainability

The independent school business model leaves six levers of financial sustainability at your disposal: advancement, cost cutting, alternative revenues, enrollment management, financial aid, and value proposition. Actions taken in these areas have the potential to improve your school’s financial situation. Continue reading to learn more about these six levers and their distinct challenges.

Diagnostic: identifying your school's market position and appropriate strategies

School leaders should evaluate and measure financial, enrollment, demographic, and competitive trends…

This resource requires EAB partnership access to view.

Access the research report

Learn how you can get access to this resource as well as hands-on support from our experts through Independent School Executive Forum.

Learn More

Already a Partner?

Partner Log In