Advance Education

How are parents and students really choosing colleges in 2026? Our 3rd Annual Parent and Student Survey Whitepaper reveals how families research, compare, and decide in a changing enrollment landscape.

By 2037 the number of high school graduates is projected to drop by 12%. At the same time families are feeling more affordability pressure than ever. These two forces are creating a new reality for enrollment leaders. Institutions that continue operating with a growth mindset may miss what families are actually signaling. We break down the impact in our latest analysis on demographic decline and affordability pressure: https://lnkd.in/e2UXeaaD

Students and parents are beginning their college search with tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini. They use AI to compare programs, explore pricing and evaluate institutions long before they ever reach an institution’s website. AI is reshaping how families research higher education and it’s creating new expectations for the information they want and how they want to find it. If you’re exploring how student and parent behavior is shifting, you can also download the 3rd Annual Parent & Student Survey Whitepaper directly from the blog page. https://lnkd.in/eaMJngYe

Students are no longer starting their college search with Google. They are turning to generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini to ask deeper questions, compare institutions and evaluate fit. This shift is changing how families discover programs, how they shape their expectations and how they choose where to apply. It also means enrollment teams need to think differently about the information they provide and how AI tools interpret it. You can explore these insights on this article page and download the 3rd Annual Parent & Student Survey Whitepaper while you’re there. https://lnkd.in/ep-xCVBn

Our 3rd Annual Parent and Student Survey Whitepaper is now available. Each year, we survey 1,000 parents and 1,000 students to understand how families are researching, evaluating, and making decisions about post-secondary education. The 2026 report highlights the growing role of AI in the college search process, the evolving priorities of parents and students, and the shifting expectations institutions must address to stay competitive. This year’s findings offer clear, actionable insights for enrollment leaders, marketing teams, and student success professionals preparing for the year ahead. Access the full whitepaper here and explore the trends shaping the future of higher education: https://lnkd.in/e7y5AQGC

Advance Education is heading to Boston! We are excited to attend the 2025 UPCEA MEMS Conference, December 2-4. This is the premier event for higher-education professionals focused on marketing, enrollment management, and student success. We will be ready to connect, share insights, and talk about how institutions are navigating the changing world of online and continuing education. We will also have a few fun giveaways for attendees who stop by our table! If you are planning to be there, we would love for you to come by and say hello. See you in Boston! www.advanceeducation.com Andrea Shaw Sarah Holmes Patricia DiReda Katie Trickey Cowden Anthony Espinoza Joshua Dana Swindle