Higher Education

Industry Overview
Secondary education has seen a decline in growth rate over the past decade. In addition to the slowing projected demand, other factors are also playing major roles in shaping the future strategy of the higher-education sector:
- New business and delivery models are gaining traction (online learning, accelerated degree programs, and joint degree programs)
- Traditional revenue sources are declining (slowing enrollment, tuition pressure, and state budget cuts)
- Tuition is outpacing income, so students are demanding a higher ROI on their education investment
- Desire for greater accountability of student outcomes (more transparency promoting competitive comparisons)s
- Student debt is rising
- Higher education is becoming more global (push to replace some of the US demand loss with international students)
- Adult learning is growing
These dynamics create new and pressing challenges for post-secondary institutions. Through customized research, many colleges and universities will need to develop a deep understanding of how these market conditions will affect them, and then embrace the changes necessary to grow in this challenging environment.
Priority Metrics Group conducts custom market research and provides unparalleled insight needed for enrollment planning, retention strategy, branding, strategic marketing, and other important initiatives.
Our Research Includes
- Enrollment planning
- Retention planning
- Branding
- Brand awareness
- Strategic planning
- Curriculum Alignment
Areas of Concentration
- Public, private, and for-profit universities
- Public and private secondary schools
- Community colleges
- Publishers
- Suppliers to the education market
Representative Education Projects
- US location assessments for K-12 private schools, for largest operator of K-12 schools in the world
- Assess competitive position and perception of overall brand by key constituents (guidance counselors, major employers, alumnus, etc.) within a defined geographic area
- Identify growth opportunities and curricula based on potential partnerships with other educational institutions, emerging and local careertracts, and possible partnerships with large employers
- Conduct a gap analysis based on the future strategic direction and the current state (facilities, faculty, curricula, etc.)
- Understand the rate of adoption and issues affecting the adoption of inquiry based learning curriculum is life science
- Delivered a comprehensive market feasibility study for adult education programs encompassing multiple counties in southern California. The study contained: a demographic study of the market, potential student profile, assessment of how the market was currently being served,outline of competitors and their offerings, and how value could be created.
- Statewide assessment on increasing enrollment; calculating the size of the potential market, outlining the decision process, identifying the major influencing factors in making the decision to attend, and developing recruiting recommendations.
Clients in the Education Market Include:
- Clemson University
- California Management Review (Haas School of Business)
- UCLA
- South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Math
- South Carolina School for Deaf and Blind
- Bluefield College
- North Shore Community College
- Spartanburg Methodist College
- GEMS (Global Education Management Systems)
- Carolina Biological
- ACS Technologies