As a higher education professional, you aren’t a stranger to the mounting pressures the industry faces. From economic uncertainty to shifting student expectations to increasing technological advancements and change, the higher education landscape is rapidly evolving. And it’s your job to keep up.
Budget constraints, space limitations, student expectations, and enrollment challenges are accelerating the technological evolution of higher education. In 2024, 71% of colleges and universities noted enrollment as a primary risk. Launching innovative programs and modernizing course strategies were listed as key efforts to address enrollment. Further to that, students expect technology-enhanced educational experiences that fit their diverse needs and aspirations, yet only 40% of higher education professionals reported using emerging technologies like AI to support this.
There’s a gap between what students want and what today’s higher education institutions are offering. As such, there’s urgency for professionals like you to embrace new technologies and develop robust strategies for effectively integrating and using them. This not only lends itself to better student engagement but also helps you streamline operations and position your institution for more sustainable success.
In this article, we share the top trends and technologies shaping campuses. Keep reading for key considerations you should be thinking about in your approach to implementing advanced technologies.
3 Critical Technology Trends for Higher Education in 2025
Public trust in higher education has decreased a lot over the last decade, with 2024 data showing 32% of Americans having very little or no confidence, while only 10% said this in 2015. Tools that allow for better student engagement and personalized support as well as ethical data practices can help you restore trust. Here are three technological trends to prioritize.
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Elevating and Personalizing the Student Experience
Your focus should be on enhancing the student experience through personalized support, intuitive digital services and seamless access to resources. Use mobile apps, chatbots and digital engagement platforms to meet students where they are and make campus life more convenient and responsive for them.
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Upleveling Security, Privacy, and Risk Management
The use of AI and cloud solutions is increasing, and while these technologies support a lot of environments, data privacy and cybersecurity need to be taken into account. Students want to be able to trust that their information is safe on campus, so you should adopt holistic risk management frameworks and upskill staff to handle new threats and compliance requirements.
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Leveraging Flexible and Hybrid Learning Environments
In recent years, we’ve seen an increasing need for campuses to support a growing community of diverse and non-traditional learners. What this means is that technology needs to play a major role in how your institution provides flexible, hybrid and online learning models to give these students the accessibility they need and expect. Immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are also creating new opportunities for experiential learning and engagement.
Related Read: Hybrid Workspaces: The Future of Client-Centric Legal Service
5 Most Important Technologies for Higher Education
Emerging and advancing technology is pivotal to how the higher education landscape evolves. To stay competitive and attract more students you need data-informed decision making. The following are five technologies that can help drive your institution forward.
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Integrated, Ecosystem-Based Platforms
Institutions like yours need to move away from siloed point solutions, toward comprehensive, connected platforms that unify things like space management, facilities, scheduling and real estate. You should consider Integrated Workplace Management Systems (IWMS) and Campus Platform Integration Platforms (CPIP), as these systems help break down departmental silos to improve data sharing. This enables holistic decision making across your campus, supporting both operational efficiency and an improved student/faculty experience.
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AI, Data Analytics and Automation
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are being used to personalize learning, automate administrative tasks, predict student needs and support data-driven decision-making. Learning analytics and predictive analytics can help your institution proactively support student success and optimize resource allocation. Additionally, automation is streamlining everything from scheduling and maintenance to student support, which can free up your staff for higher-value work.
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Cloud Solutions and the Modernization of Core Systems
Cloud-based solutions are now the norm, enabling scalability, flexibility and access to innovation while reducing IT overhead and supporting both hybrid and fully remote learning environments. Your institution should look to modernize any legacy systems such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, space management solutions, student information systems (SIS) and learning management systems (LMS). Doing so can improve integration, security and agility.
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Smart Campus and IoT Devices
IoT devices and smart campus technologies are transforming facilities management, space utilization, energy efficiency and campus safety. The real-time data you can get from IoT sensors and connected devices allows for more dynamic space management, so you can optimize environments to fit the needs of students and faculty. Additionally, this data can help support any sustainability goals by surfacing insights into energy usage, lighting, HVAC systems and water consumption, letting you uncover inefficiencies, reduce waste and optimize resources.
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Micro-credentials and Skills-Based Learning
Workforce needs are changing, so degree programs need to evolve as well. Look for platforms that support non-traditional paths where students can earn micro-credentials, digital badges and skills-based learning. These will continue to gain traction and attract a wider range of students. Workforce needs are changing, so degree programs need to evolve as well. Look for platforms that support non-traditional paths where students can earn micro-credentials, digital badges and skills-based learning. These will continue to gain traction and attract a wider range of students.
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6 Considerations for Advancing Your Approach to Technology
As you think through your approach to new technologies, here are six considerations to help you plan what’s next.
- Prioritize interoperability and integration across all systems to break down silos and create a seamless campus ecosystem.
- Invest in platforms, not point solutions. You should select technologies that can scale, adapt and integrate with your other core systems.
- Balance innovation with risk by embracing AI and automation while putting strong governance, ethics and security frameworks in place.
- Focus on the user experience you want to provide. It’s important to make sure all technology investments improve the daily experience of students, faculty and staff.
- Support data-driven strategy and planning with analytics and reporting that inform decisions and demonstrate the value of your information technology (IT).
- Plan for continuous change as the pace of technological, regulatory and social change is accelerating. Flexibility and adaptability will be critical differentiators for your institution.
Related Read: How Duke University Transformed On-Campus Scheduling with Accruent EMS
Get the Technology You Need to Drive Campus Success
The future of technology in the higher education sector is about integrated and flexible systems that support operational excellence, student success and institutional agility. If you’re only focused on individual products or software, you won’t be able to go as far. Successful institutions today are bringing best-of-breed solutions together to help meet unique needs and strategic goals.
At Accruent, our solutions align with many of these trends such as campus resource management, facilities, space utilization and integration with broader campus systems.
Explore what’s available today to start your journey toward a connected, data-driven ecosystem.
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