Abstract
Purpose. The purpose was to identify what issues experts believe will affect future profit and growth opportunities of for-profit, publicly traded higher educational companies. The study identified issues experts believed had the most likelihood of occurrence. It also examined whether there was a significant difference between the educational practitioners and the industry analysts on those issues believed to impact the future profit and growth opportunities of these education companies. In addition, the study established issues that have the most impact in affecting future profit and growth opportunities. Finally, it determined which issues the experts believed were priority issues. Methodology. The researcher used the Delphi technique to reach consensus among experts using a series of iterative surveys. The study produced descriptive and inferential data with two groups; the statistics were tabulated using means, standard deviations, and t-tests. Findings. The experts were in agreement on several issues that would have the most impact and the highest likelihood of occurrence. These issues were related to both internal and external environments and controllable and noncontrollable impacts. Issues that represent controllable impacts, such as effectively managing operating expenses, tuition or pricing increases, and student retention were rated by the experts as having a high impact on the bottom line. Experts clearly expressed their confidence that this sector has the ability to monitor and affect the future outcomes determined by these issues. Issues that represent noncontrollable impacts, such as federally regulated interest rates, public demand for services including trade/career specific education and alternative delivery methods, and marketing expenses were rated as having the most likelihood of occurrence. Experts agreed that the external environment will continue to have a significant impact on this sector. Conclusions. Identifying priority issues will facilitate the higher education companies' problem-solving, planning, and decision-making capabilities and will result in the ability to formulate new growth strategies and prepare them to meet future demand and challenges.