Colleges are deploying operational technology to squeeze budgets and expand experiential learning. Fleet‑management platforms and asset‑tracking solutions are trimming vehicle and equipment waste—Michigan State used real‑time tags to recover stolen equipment and reduce audit labor. Simultaneously, institutions are scaling immersive VR programs (Meta Quest and similar platforms) to deliver more accessible, high‑value experiential learning that correlates with faster early‑career progression. Facilities, IT and academic leaders must coordinate investments: asset IoT and experiential VR both require capital, staffing and vendor governance. Business cases should emphasize measured savings (reduced replacement costs, audit hours) and educational ROI (placements, salary uplift) to justify cross‑functional funding.