5 Trends to Watch in Higher Education for 2025 — Campus Technology
5 Trends to Watch in Higher Education for 2025
At the top of another new year, we are looking ahead to some of the top trends in higher education for 2025. Over the past five years, higher education has transformed as students and employers have reframed their perspectives around college degrees and professional certifications. Today’s post-secondary learners are seeking diverse learning opportunities that offer them practical skills and knowledge that is directly applicable to future careers.
With declining enrollment and uncertainty about education policy in the upcoming year, many institutions will pivot in 2025 to address key challenges affecting higher education. Additionally, institutions will continue to adapt their certificate and degree programs to meet the evolving needs of industries that are constantly growing and changing.
In 2025, the trends shaping higher education reflect a continuous transformation of the higher education landscape to meet the changing needs of students and staff, while maintaining sustainable and cost-effective institutional practices.
Here are five key trends defining higher education in 2025:
1) Supporting Student Well-Being
Student well-being is at the center of some of higher education’s most significant challenges in 2025. More than 60% of college students report feeling lonely, which has negative impacts on their overall mental health. To address this issue and enhance the overall college experience, educational institutions are improving student programs to promote social engagement on campus. Investments in student well-being and social initiatives will benefit institutions in the long run, increasing student retention, academic achievement, and program completion.
Furthermore, students are becoming increasingly overwhelmed with stress. In the face of financial struggles, anxiety about passing courses and finding a job, and insurmountable socio-political issues, students feel frustrated and helpless. Four in five students say stress impacts their ability to focus, learn, and perform well academically. Institutions can help address student stress by expanding career centers; providing support for obtaining scholarships, financial aid, and work study positions; and offering practical resources such as financial planning workshops.
2) AI as a Tool for Learning, Student Services, and Institutional Support
Last year, artificial intelligence (AI) was just beginning to emerge in higher education, but in 2025, AI will secure its place in almost every aspect of the higher education landscape. Notably, many institutions have already implemented AI to improve administrative functions, budgeting and planning, and other basic operations. To streamline administrative actions and lower costs, 52% of colleges that have adopted AI have chosen to implement chatbots, reshaping the way students engage with their school and its administration. This year we anticipate that adoption of AI as a tool for institutional management will quickly become the standard in higher education.
In addition, AI has a strong potential for supporting student learning, and in 2025 more institutions will pilot technologies that target academic achievement and educational support. Across all subject areas, educators are utilizing AI-produced educational materials for course enhancement and implementing AI technologies into the course content to help learners develop valuable skills. Some programs are taking advantage of AI technology that identifies student progress and learning needs in order to adapt the educational approach and personalize learning. Students are also using adaptive AI tutoring programs and AI-powered career guidance tools to help them along their entire learning journey.
