Pac-Man and Lazy Fatalism: Why Global Education’s Acquisition Frenzy Is Colliding With Economic Reality
As student demand tightens and affordability pressures rise, education strategist warns that scale without discipline may amplify risk rather than reduce it
United States, 18th Mar 2026 — The global education sector is entering a more competitive and economically complex phase as student demand tightens, affordability pressures increase, and capital continues to pursue aggressive expansion across international education markets.
Education strategist Elaina Cohen warns that many institutional growth strategies still reflect assumptions from a previous era—one characterized by expanding student mobility, rising middle classes, and steadily growing enrollment pipelines.
“Institutional brand alone is no longer sufficient,” Cohen said. “The global education market is becoming far more competit...
