Resource
Fiscal resiliency resources for higher education
Reach institutional sustainability, now, for tomorrow
May 19, 2025
Now, more than ever, it's crucial for higher education institutions to be resilient.
Mounting and evolving financial, operational, demographic, technological, reputational and political pressures have intensified the struggle for colleges and universities to provide quality programming and degree pathways for students and ensure institutional sustainability and success. Shifting student needs, growing competition and increased oversight are forcing higher education to adapt to higher expectations.
Advancing your mission within today’s fiscal constraints is a challenge almost every institution is experiencing. The higher education industry is facing real, complex and existential issues – but fortunately, there are opportunities and actionable strategies to approach the headwinds impacting this sector and implement effective change management for campuswide optimization.
Baker Tilly’s industry-specialized team understands the challenges institutions encounter to achieve sustainability in higher education. We’re committed to positioning college and university leaders to navigate these obstacles and transform your education and business models.
Financial health assessment
Financial fragility is spreading to almost every higher education institution, even reaching larger (higher enrolled), more selective and research-focused institutions that had been relatively stable until now. Immediate steps to optimize basic operations are crucial to ensure stability and provide time for other more transformative changes that may be required to achieve sustainability.
This survey captures performance perspectives on your institution’s fiscal health drivers and only takes about 10 minutes to complete. Upon completion, you’ll receive a fiscal health score and actionable guidance on key areas such as enrollment, student retention, academic programs, business and administrative operations, and risk and asset management.
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Financial strategy and sustainability
Strategic integration and governance
Student success and engagement
Operational efficiency and technology
Branding and institutional identity
Community colleges focus
How we serve you
Our dedicated and experienced higher education industry trailblazers are poised to help your institution:
- Bolster critical financial, operational and programmatic functions
- Grow enrollment and improve student outcomes
- Implement successful career pathways that support students, employers and communities
- Maximize performance as workforce development and social mobility engines
- Build sustainable, financially resilient, change-capable organizations
- Differentiate your brand and improve its market position
- Strengthen public trust and stakeholder engagement
- Enhance cost-effectiveness to offer more affordable education options for students
- Explore transformative opportunities such as shared services, mergers and integrations
- Adopt creative approaches to debt, risk and asset management
- Leverage technology and data analytics to drive effective decision-making
- Drive sustainable, affordable and transparent approaches to student and institutional success
And, ultimately, transform your higher education business model.
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