Ball State University is one of few public institutions in Indiana expected to survive despite the economic repercussions created by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an analysis by Scott Galloway, a New York University marketing professor.
Galloway categorized more than 400 higher education institutions into four quadrants: thrive, survive, struggle, or perish due to the effects of the coronavirus. The analysis has not been peer reviewed.
“The pandemic is causing significant financial distress and dislocation for many colleges and universities all across the country, including several institutions in our Midwest region,” said President Mearns. “For several reasons, including our University’s prudent fiscal planning and management, we are in a more stable position. We have the capacity to prioritize spending on our core mission, including our innovative academic programs, and invest in necessary health and safety measures.”
In the analysis, Galloway created the following categories based on the challenges created by the pandemic:
- Thrive: Elite schools and those that offer a strong value have an opportunity to emerge stronger as they consolidate the market, double down on exclusivity, and embrace technology to increase value and decrease cost per student.
- Survive: These schools will see a decline in demand and lower revenue, but will be fine because of brand equity, credential-to-cost ratio, and/or endowments.
- Struggle: These are second-tier schools with one or more comorbidities, such as high admit rates, high tuition, or scant endowments.
- Perish: These schools are doomed by a lethal cocktail of high admit rates, high tuition, low endowments, dependence on international students, and weak brand equity.