America’s higher education sector is poised for reinvention as declining enrollment, university funding cuts, advancing AI, and evolving regulations reshape the college landscape.

UPCEA, the online and professional education association, today announced the release of its “Predictions 2026: Insights for Online & Professional Education.” This year’s report brings together expert perspectives from across the association to examine the trends reshaping higher education as institutions confront demographic pressures, financial constraints, technological disruption, and growing expectations for workforce relevance.

The power of collaboration and shared services is now widely recognised in the higher education sector as an effective way for institutions to continue delivering outstanding student experiences, world-class teaching, and research and innovation, all against a backdrop of financial pressures. Jisc has played a leading role in driving these conversations, in partnership with UUK, KPMG and university leaders. However, it is now time to put our words into action and make collaboration the norm.