Leading a college or university in 2025 is no easy task, and the latest Inside Higher Ed Survey of College and University Presidents gives us a fascinating glimpse into how institutional leaders view the challenges ahead. This week, we look at the survey’s findings, explore the persistent misconceptions surrounding college affordability, and examine a new study on AI’s potential to erode critical thinking.   

After reading today’s issue, use the comments section to tell us how your institution communicates its affordability and the real cost of earning a degree. 

Annual Survey of College & University Presidents 

From Survey: What Presidents Really Think | Inside Higher Ed  

The latest Inside Higher Ed Survey of College and University Presidents finds weak support for tenure, high confidence in financial stability and concerns about a lack of progress on student mental health issues.   

Our Thoughts 

Shocked doesn’t quite capture my reaction to this latest survey of college and university presidents. Only a third of respondents believe that the benefits of tenure outweigh its drawbacks. While I’ve had my own struggles with the concept, tenure has long been a cornerstone of U.S. higher education. It is essential for academic freedom, allowing faculty to explore controversial or unpopular topics without fear of retribution, which is a protection that feels especially critical today, regardless of political affiliation.  

Some argue that faculty shouldn’t be guaranteed a “job for life” or that “once they get tenure, they stop working.” But in my experience, that characterization is far from reality. The vast majority of faculty I’ve worked with are deeply committed to their students and institutions, often working well beyond a standard 40-hour week. I distinctly remember one professor, an avid golfer, telling me I’d be surprised how many quizzes he could grade while waiting to tee off at each hole.  

Beyond tenure, this survey offers a rare glimpse into how presidents view the broader challenges and opportunities ahead, particularly as political pressures, financial sustainability, and student needs evolve. Whether wishful thinking or reality, one positive takeaway is that 87% of presidents believe their institutions will remain financially stable over the next five years, even as many acknowledge they may have too many academic programs. While some institutions do close each year, I think higher education is far more resilient than many give it credit for.  

The full report is lengthy, but the news article provides a strong summary of key takeaways. I recommend spending a few minutes with it to gain a clearer picture of the shifting priorities and pressures shaping higher education in 2025 and beyond. 

The Real Cost of a Degree 

From The Secret That Colleges Should Stop Keeping | The Atlantic  

Rose Horowitch argues that higher education institutions should be doing more to help people understand that the real cost of earning a degree has actually fallen over the past decade.   

Our Thoughts 

This article challenges one of the most persistent narratives in higher education that college is becoming increasingly unaffordable. By publishing this in The Atlantic, Horowitch moves the discussion beyond higher education circles and into mainstream media, bringing much-needed attention to the issue. While college costs have risen, net prices (the amount students pay after federal, state, and institutional aid are applied) have been declining for over a decade. This article highlights the deep disconnect between perception and reality in college pricing, a misunderstanding that directly influences enrollment decisions, public trust, and policy debates.  

Given declining enrollment trends and growing skepticism about the value of a degree, institutions must rethink how they communicate actual costs and return on investment. The fact that nearly half of Americans believe colleges and universities charge everyone the same price should serve as a red flag for institutional leaders. If institutions fail to correct these misconceptions, they risk losing potential students who are discouraged by misleading sticker prices.  

This issue is not new. We’ve previously reported on the challenges of net costs versus advertised prices and their impact on enrollment, particularly for low-income students. However, with demographic shifts and heightened scrutiny of higher education’s value, institutions must act now. Those that radically improve transparency around affordability and value will be far better positioned to recruit students in an increasingly competitive landscape. 

AI’s Impact on Critical Thinking 

From Study: Generative AI Could Inhibit Critical Thinking | Campus Technology  

A new study found that knowledge workers who trust AI more apply less critical thinking to its outputs, while those confident in their own skills critically evaluate, refine, and integrate AI responses.  

Our Thoughts  

While the sample size is small, this study is timely as institutions work to integrate AI into curricula to meet workforce demands. As generative AI becomes more embedded in academic and professional settings, its impact on students’ cognitive engagement and problem-solving abilities warrants close examination.  

The findings reinforce what many educators have suspected. AI enhances efficiency but can weaken critical thinking if students rely on it without some level of skepticism. If users passively accept AI-generated content without questioning its accuracy, they risk diminishing their ability to think independently. This study serves as a crucial reminder that students must learn not only how to use AI tools but also how to critically engage with them. Otherwise, we risk producing graduates who trust AI outputs without scrutiny, undermining their ability to verify information and make informed decisions.  

Additionally, the study aligns with broader discussions in higher education about digital literacy and AI competency. As institutions incorporate AI for writing assistance, tutoring, and research support, they must ensure these tools complement and not replace the cognitive processes that higher education seeks to develop: critical inquiry, analysis, and independent reasoning.