Experts offered five predictions for higher education in 2026 that include deeper state and federal investment in short‑term credentials, expanded employer‑institution partnerships, and continued pressure on small, tuition‑dependent campuses. The analysis highlights rising enrollment in certificates and microcredentials, intensified quality oversight, and stronger employer engagement to validate workforce outcomes. Institutions are advised to prepare for policy shifts that tie public funds to measurable employment outcomes and to ramp up data systems and student supports that translate short credentials into career pathways.