U.S. colleges and universities are facing long-term demographic pressures. The number of high school graduates is projected to peak in 2025 and then decline by 13% by 2041, which will put particularly significant pressure on regional schools with limited funding. In response to these challenges, institutions are cutting programs, intensifying competition for admissions, and emphasizing affordability and return on investment. Over the past decade, inflation-adjusted tuition at public four-year universities has decreased by 7%.