What to Say When People Question the Cost of Higher Education

The higher education sector is perceived as facing significant external pressures, leading to public questioning of its value and cost. There is a perceived necessity for stakeholders to actively counter what is described as 'misinformation' with a clear and effective communication strategy to reaffirm the sector's public benefit and justification for its cost.

Why it matters

Addressing public scrutiny regarding cost and value is critical for maintaining public trust and support for the higher education sector. A proactive and consistent communication strategy can help shape public perception and secure the sector's long-term sustainability and societal relevance.

Key insights

• The higher education sector is experiencing substantial external challenges.
• Public skepticism regarding the cost of higher education is a prevalent issue.
• There is a recognized need to develop and deploy communication strategies to address 'misinformation'.
• The objective of these efforts is to reclaim the narrative for students and the public good, emphasizing that value comes with a cost.

Source

Inside Higher Ed — https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/columns/just-explain-it-me/2026/09/09/talk-back-cost-higher-education