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The latest research and insights from Gray DI

Higher Education’s Hottest New Program Announcements: What Trended in 2024

Explore the innovative programs colleges and universities are offering in 2024 to meet shifting student interests and workforce demands. From advancements in healthcare and technology to addressing critical societal needs, institutions are expanding their offerings in areas like Artificial Intelligence, Public Health, and Environmental Science. Discover the most notable new programs that are equipping learners with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world—and see what’s next on the horizon for higher education.

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Gray Insights

Gray DI’s Winning Formula: Identifying the Next Big Academic Program Trends

Explore how emerging academic programs are shaping the future of education, as Gray DI reflects on past predictions and their impact. From the transformative rise of Applied AI and the Creator Economy to the evolving fields of Disinformation Intelligence, Space Commercialization, and Cellular Agriculture, this exploration highlights successes, challenges, and unexpected shifts. Gain insights into how institutions can adapt to innovation, embrace new opportunities, and position themselves at the forefront of change in a dynamic educational landscape.

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Gray Insights

Stop Cutting Programs: A Smarter Approach to Cost Reduction in Higher Education

Facing financial challenges? You’re not alone. Many institutions are struggling to increase revenue and reduce costs, and traditional cost-cutting measures like program cuts often do more harm than good. These cuts fail to consider the complex web of revenue generators and resources within an institution. By gaining a deep understanding of program economics, colleges and universities can identify hidden opportunities for growth, optimize faculty workload, and make strategic adjustments that ensure long-term financial sustainability.

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Gray Data

Trending Now: Creator Economy College Programs Are Growing

The creator economy, projected to skyrocket to $78.91 billion by 2031, is transforming career opportunities, and higher education is rising to meet the moment. From degrees in digital media influence to certificates in influencer marketing, colleges are crafting programs that blend creativity with cutting-edge skills like AI, marketing, and content creation. As influencers redefine modern celebrity and employers prioritize social media expertise, these programs are shaping the next generation of industry leaders in a dynamic and ever-evolving field.

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Gray Insights

Unlocking Collaboration: Why Data Literacy is Key to Strategic Program Planning in Higher Education

In a world full of data, higher education institutions must turn information into meaningful decisions. Data literacy among leaders is key to moving beyond subjective opinions and creating evidence-based strategies for academic program planning. Equipping stakeholders to analyze, interpret, and communicate data, fostering transparency, and cultivating a data-informed culture enable smarter decisions, enhanced collaboration, and sustainable growth. Discover how data literacy transforms program evaluation into a strategic advantage that meets student needs and adapts to changing demands.

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Gray Insights

What Does it Really Mean to Cut a Program?

When financial pressures rise, colleges and universities often consider cutting academic programs to balance budgets—but is this truly effective? Cutting a program can seem like an easy solution, yet the financial impact is complex, with potential enrollment and revenue losses that may outweigh the savings. Explore the nuanced economics of program cuts, using a real-world example to reveal how revenue, costs, and contribution margins intersect. Discover why a data-informed approach to evaluating program economics is crucial for making strategic, sustainable budget decisions.

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Gray Insights

Benchmarking for Financial Vitality in Higher Education: Beyond Cost-Cutting

Meeting the financial and educational demands of higher education today requires a careful balance of efficiency and quality. Benchmarking data enables institutions to make informed decisions that optimize costs, foster growth, and ensure student success. By analyzing cost per student credit hour, identifying growth opportunities, and implementing targeted cost reductions, higher education leaders can position their institutions for a sustainable future, supporting both fiscal health and educational excellence.

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Gray Insights

Maximize Your Faculty Resources

Discover how thoughtful faculty allocation can unlock greater efficiency and elevate student success. By comparing Contemporary University’s current faculty distribution with industry benchmarks, we uncover ways to redeploy full-time faculty across course levels, optimizing cost-per-student-credit-hour and boosting outcomes. Discover how benchmarking data can drive strategic, student-centered resource planning for impactful results.

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Gray Insights

The Data Whisperers: Translating Complex Data into Actionable Insights

Institutional Researchers (IR) have the unique ability to transform complex datasets into actionable insights that drive decisions across institutions. However, the key to their success lies in effective communication and data visualization, ensuring that stakeholders can easily grasp and engage with the information. Discover how clear, compelling storytelling and well-crafted visualizations can bridge the gap between raw data and informed action. From practical tips on data storytelling to the power of visualization, these insights will help you unlock the full potential of your institution’s data.

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Gray Insights

Uncovering Hidden Economic Opportunities: Cost per SCH

Is your institution maximizing resources, or are hidden inefficiencies draining your budget? Discover how optimizing cost per student credit hour (SCH) can unlock major savings. Through a case study of Contemporary University—a fictional institution with over 13,000 students—this guide outlines four steps to reveal financial efficiencies, from benchmarking against peers to optimizing course scheduling. Learn how Gray DI’s PES Economics and Outcomes software can help improve resource allocation and drive long-term sustainability, showing how small adjustments can lead to substantial impacts on financial health.

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