Colleges are intensifying efforts to demonstrate return on investment even as students and families weigh alternatives to traditional degrees. Universities are launching microcredential programs and business‑process guidance sessions to convert short‑form credentials into revenue and clearer career outcomes. New research shows most bachelor’s degrees still yield a positive ROI within a decade, but the payoff varies by state and major. Institutions are pairing microcredentials and work‑based learning to boost employability and market their value proposition amid public skepticism about higher education’s direction. Expect more cross‑sector partnerships with employers, expanded short‑course portfolios, and a renewed emphasis on transparent earnings and completion metrics to help prospective students compare options.