The Changing Face of Higher Education: Value, Cost, and Alignment of Higher Education

By: Gibbs, Steve Jf

In a world defined by rapid change, technological innovation, and global competition, higher education stands at the heart of society's progress - yet also at the center of its most pressing debates. Once a symbol of elite privilege and intellectual pursuit, the university has evolved into a mass system grappling with cost inflation, student debt, employability gaps, and questions of true value.

The Changing Face of Higher Education: Value, Cost, and Alignment of Higher Education offers a clear-eyed, comprehensive exploration of how universities are transforming - and what must come next. Blending historical insight, global comparisons, and practical analysis, this book examines how higher education has shifted from a public good to a private investment, and how this transition shapes access, equity, and economic sustainability.

Through ten in-depth chapters and data-rich appendices, the book delves into key questions:
What is the real value of a college degree in the 21st century?
Why has higher education become so expensive - and can it remain affordable?
How can universities better align learning outcomes with workforce and societal needs?
What role should technology, innovation, and global policy play in shaping the future of learning?

From the challenges of funding and accountability to the opportunities of AI-driven education, this book provides readers with both critical reflection and practical vision. It presents a roadmap for governments, institutions, and learners to rebuild a system that is accessible, adaptable, affordable, and aligned with the future of work.
Whether you are an educator, policymaker, student, or concerned citizen, The Changing Face of Higher Education invites you to rethink what learning means, how it is valued, and how it can empower generations to come.

Insightful. Evidence-based. Forward-looking.
This book is an essential guide for understanding - and shaping - the future of higher education in a rapidly evolving world.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0FXN5TSQM
• ISBN13: 9798271398308
• Release Date: October 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 166 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"