What Higher Education Is Feeling - and Why Families Should Pay Attention
Why faculty morale, institutional stability, and your enrollment decision are more connected than you thin
Iâve made it a point to regularly read The Chronicle of Higher Education. I do this not out of academic curiosity, but because what is happening inside colleges and universities matters deeply to families long before tuition checks are written and enrollment contracts are signed.
Families often base their decisions on a school's historical reputation, assuming that what a school represented 10, 20, or even 50 years ago is what it represents today and will continue to represent when their student graduates. While institutions like Ivy League schools still carry powerful networks, they are not immune to enrollment concerns, reliance on federal aid, and donor uncertainty. Prestige still matters, but power is shifting, and itâs worth asking where that power will be in another decade.
Thatâs why I pay close attention to current higher-education news as part of long-term planning.
This week, I read a Chronicle of Higher Education article summarizing a 2025 survey of faculty and staff. What it revealed felt strikingly familiar, not just for educators, but for the families I work with every day.
What the Survey Revealed
The survey paints a picture of a workforce in higher education that is strained, yet deeply committed.
About half of respondents reported being less satisfied with their jobs than they were a year ago.
At the same time, half said they had not considered leaving higher education at all, largely due to economic uncertainty, limited job openings, and the exhausting nature of academic job searches.
Political pressure has become a major stressor:
64% cited political influence as a significant source of stress (up sharply from the year before).
79% said federal government actions negatively affect their ability to do their daily work.
And yet, despite burnout and demoralization, most respondents still described their work as meaningful. In fact, the percentage who would recommend a career in higher education inched upward, with âmeaningful and impactful workâ cited more often than flexibility, growth opportunities, or workplace culture.
The key takeaway?
People are staying, but morale is fragile. Low attrition does not equal a healthy system.
Why This Matters for Families
This mirrors the conversations Iâm having with families almost daily.
Families are operating in a mode of endurance rather than confidence.
They are committed to the process, but tired.
Engaged, but wary.
Holding on because changing course feels risky, expensive, or unclear.
And just like in higher education, staying put doesnât mean people feel good about it.
This is why I urge families not to confuse stability with certainty.
What Families Should Do Right Now
If you are awaiting decisions or preparing to make one for a student heading to a tuition-based school, now is the time to ask questions, not after youâve signed an enrollment agreement.
Ask before committing:
How stable is this program over the next 4â6 years?
What staffing or resource changes are happening quietly?
How does the institution support students if programs shift or faculty turnover occurs?
What protections are in place once tuition deposits are paid?
If you are able, visit the campus. Not just for the tourâbut to feel the culture, talk to staff, observe morale, and ask direct questions. Everyone is experiencing pressure right now, but that doesnât mean you have to financially commit to an environment that doesnât feel aligned or transparent.
Lower morale across the sector doesnât mean you must pay into one.
Letâs Talk This ThroughâTogether
Iâll be hosting a workshop on March 8 for families who want to slow down the process, ask better questions, and approach enrollment decisions with clarity and confidence.
VIP subscribers have early access at a discounted rate
General registration is now open
This workshop is designed to help families move from endurance to intention by asking questions that will help you reflect before investing thousands of dollars in a system your student may transfer from or quit.
If you have questions or arenât sure what to ask right now, reply here or reach out. You donât have to navigate this phase quietly, or alone.