Summary
DigitalEd’s 2026 Higher Ed Trends Report reveals that educators in colleges and universities worldwide are navigating a unique set of pressures. This year’s data shows institutions are adapting to a fundamental shift in student readiness and faculty capacity. As foundational knowledge gaps become more prevalent in first-year students, educator focus has moved away from experimenting with new technology, such as AI, to sustaining academic standards and supporting student success.
Download the 2026 Higher Ed Strategic Roadmap
The 2026 Higher Ed Trends Report pairs global benchmarking data with a practical ‘Go-and-Do’ Framework for academic leadership. Gain a pulse on the pressures facing today’s educators and discover data-backed strategies to align your institutional goals with the current state of faculty capacity and student readiness.
Inside the Full Report:
- Addressing the Readiness Gap: Data-driven strategies to support the 90% of students entering with foundational knowledge gaps.
- Clarifying Decision Authority: How to reduce faculty friction by aligning procurement with instructional reality.
- The Power of Editability: Why 81% of faculty now demand customizable materials to keep their courses viable.