Understanding the SHEEO State Priorities Survey
The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) has long served as a vital voice for coordinating higher education policy across the United States. Comprising chief executives from state higher education agencies, SHEEO conducts an annual survey to gauge the most pressing policy issues facing public postsecondary systems. Released on January 13, 2026, the latest SHEEO State Priorities Survey captures responses from leaders in the wake of recent elections and amid evolving economic challenges. This year's findings underscore a sharpened focus on aligning higher education with labor market demands, emphasizing economic and workforce development as the paramount concern for the second consecutive year.
Conducted shortly after the 2024 midterm elections, the survey polled state higher education executive officers on their top policy priorities heading into 2026. With responses reflecting a consensus among leaders from diverse states, the report paints a picture of higher education at a crossroads. Institutions are increasingly tasked with demonstrating tangible value to students, employers, and taxpayers, particularly through improved return on investment (ROI) metrics such as graduation rates, employment outcomes, and earnings premiums.
This shift is not happening in isolation. Demographic declines, known as the 'enrollment cliff,' coupled with rising tuition costs and skepticism about college value, have prompted state leaders to prioritize outcomes over inputs. The survey's methodology involves ranking policy issues on a scale, with the top selections aggregated to highlight national trends. For those navigating careers in academia or administration, these priorities signal where funding, programs, and partnerships are likely headed.
📊 Key Highlights from the 2026 Survey
Economic and workforce development emerged as the undisputed top priority, cited by a majority of respondents. This marks a continuation from 2025, when it first ascended to the number one spot. Close behind is college affordability, reflecting ongoing concerns about access amid stagnant state funding in many regions. Return on investment for students rounds out the podium, with leaders stressing the need for data-driven accountability.
| Rank | Priority | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Economic and Workforce Development | Program alignment with jobs, apprenticeships, industry partnerships |
| 2 | College Affordability | Tuition caps, need-based aid, free community college expansions |
| 3 | Student Return on Investment (ROI) | Completion rates, post-grad earnings, equity in outcomes |
| 4 | Mental Health and Student Well-Being | Counseling access, suicide prevention, holistic support |
| 5 | Enrollment Management | Recruitment strategies, retention initiatives amid demographic shifts |
These rankings are derived from SHEEO's aggregation of open-ended and ranked responses, providing a snapshot of where state dollars and legislative agendas will concentrate. Lower-ranked but rising issues include faculty workload equity and artificial intelligence integration in curricula.
Deep Dive into Workforce Development as the Top Priority
Workforce development in higher education refers to the strategic alignment of academic programs with regional and national labor needs. States are pushing for credentials that lead directly to high-demand jobs in sectors like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and green energy. North Carolina, for instance, has been ranked number one in workforce development by Site Selection magazine, thanks to robust community college systems and partnerships with tech giants.
The survey highlights initiatives such as stackable credentials, where short-term certificates build toward degrees, and work-based learning like apprenticeships. In Michigan, universities like Wayne State are emphasizing their role in economic engines, with every dollar invested yielding twelvefold returns through jobs and innovation. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has called out his state's 49th ranking in higher ed investment, advocating for boosts to climb to 22nd.
- Expand dual enrollment for high schoolers to enter workforce pipelines early.
- Fund centers of excellence in emerging fields like AI and biotechnology.
- Collaborate with employers for real-time job data to refresh curricula.
For aspiring educators or administrators, this trend opens doors in higher ed administration jobs, where roles in workforce alignment are proliferating.
ROI Focus: Measuring Value in Higher Education
Return on investment (ROI) in higher education quantifies the economic benefits of a degree relative to its cost. Metrics include the earnings uplift over high school graduates, debt-to-income ratios, and program-level completion rates. The SHEEO survey notes a surge in demands for 'outcomes-centered' policies, driven by tools like College Scorecard and state accountability systems.
States are implementing performance-based funding, tying appropriations to metrics like the percentage of graduates employed in their field within six months. Texas A&M's recent course reviews exemplify this scrutiny, balancing academic freedom with ROI accountability. Equity gaps persist, with underrepresented students often facing lower returns, prompting targeted interventions.
To calculate ROI for prospective students: subtract total costs (tuition, fees, opportunity costs) from lifetime earnings premium, discounted to present value. Public dashboards are making this accessible, empowering choices.
Inside Higher Ed's coverage details how these metrics are reshaping budgets.Historical Trends and Year-Over-Year Shifts
The 2026 survey continues a pattern established in recent years. In 2025, workforce development overtook affordability, which had dominated post-pandemic. SHEEO's 2024 report similarly ranked it highly, signaling a post-recovery pivot toward prosperity-building education.
Pre-2023, priorities leaned toward access and completion amid COVID disruptions. Now, with enrollment stabilizing but skepticism rising—evidenced by declining confidence in college value—ROI and workforce metrics dominate. This evolution mirrors federal shifts, like the Department of Education's gainful employment rules.
- 2023: Affordability and funding topped lists.
- 2024: Workforce edges ahead amid economic recovery.
- 2025-2026: Sustained leadership by workforce and ROI.
These trends inform higher ed career advice, urging professionals to specialize in data analytics for outcomes.
Implications for Stakeholders Across Higher Education
For institutions, the survey mandates agile program reviews. Boards are closing low-ROI majors while scaling high-demand ones, as seen in recent regent actions. Faculty may face incentives for industry collaborations, blending teaching with applied research.
Students benefit from transparent ROI data, aiding decisions on majors like nursing (high ROI) versus general humanities (variable). Policymakers eye reallocations; Ohio's push for economic excellence exemplifies retraining initiatives.
Employers gain tailored talent pipelines, reducing hiring gaps. Washington State University reports statewide impact through research solving real problems.
Explore opportunities in research jobs aligned with these priorities.
SHEEO's 2025 report (PDF) offers deeper historical context, with 2026 details forthcoming on their site.State Spotlights: Diverse Approaches to Shared Priorities
California invests heavily in community colleges for workforce credentials, boasting millions in apprenticeships. Texas emphasizes ROI through 'Texas Workforce Commission' alignments, reviewing courses like Plato for relevance.
In the Midwest, Michigan's Association of State Universities touts ROI multipliers. North Carolina leverages its top workforce ranking for tech and biotech hubs. Pennsylvania's blueprint aims to reverse low investment rankings via surplus funds.
These examples illustrate tailored strategies: rural states focus on agriculture tech, urban ones on urban planning. Common threads? Data dashboards and public-private partnerships.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While priorities converge, hurdles remain. Balancing ROI with liberal arts missions risks narrowing curricula. Mental health, now top-five, demands integrated support amid workforce pressures.
Opportunities abound in AI-driven personalization, predicting student success and job fits. Federal policies under new administrations could amplify state efforts via grants.
Actionable steps for leaders: audit programs annually, partner with chambers of commerce, invest in ROI analytics tools.
Photo by Thomas Kinto on Unsplash
Wrapping Up: Navigating 2026 with SHEEO Insights
The SHEEO State Priorities Survey illuminates a future where higher education proves its worth through workforce readiness and strong ROI. As states realign, opportunities emerge for educators, administrators, and students alike. Stay informed on evolving job markets via higher ed jobs listings, share professor experiences at Rate My Professor, and access career tips through higher ed career advice. For universities posting openings, consider university jobs or post a job to attract top talent aligned with these priorities.
