Fundamentals of Consolidation in U.S. Higher Education

Across the past decade, institutional leaders and industry observers alike have predicted mass consolidation of the higher education industry in the United States, citing an oversupply of institutions and a shrinking pipeline of traditional college-aged students. The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified these predictions, as it has strained institutional finances and further disrupted the student pipeline. But are these predictions sound? And pundits aside, can M&A help institutions fulfill their missions and strengthen their financial resiliency in the face of changing market forces?

EAB experts have conducted an extensive analysis of M&A transactions across the past decade and recently held a webinar to share the fundamentals of consolidation in the higher education industry. Whether you’re actively considering consolidation or not, these takeaways will help prepare you and other leaders at your institution to accurately respond to board, legislature, and other stakeholder inquiries around potential M&A activity.