White Paper

The Countercyclical Relationship Between the Economy and Higher Education

How does the economy affect higher education?

 "When we surveyed our employees, education support was one of the top three things they asked for. The barriers to achieving their education goals were time, money, and support. Guild delivers on all of these needs through access to online classes, financial aid guidance, tuition assistance, and a personal counselor to support each student in real time.”

© GUILD EDUCATION

Download this guide to read more about why the economy and higher education don’t always work together.

Completion rates, the opportunity cost of going back to school, enrollment growth, and attrition rates all change with the economy — and not in the direction you might think.

After reading this guide, you’ll understand:

  • The positive effects of an improving economy on higher education
  • The negative effects of an improving economy on higher education
  • The positive effects of an economic downturn on higher education
  • The negative effects of an economic downturn on higher education

However, no matter the state of the economy, higher education is always a good idea.

— FRANK TUCKER, GLOBAL CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER, TACO BELL