L.E.K. Consulting’s latest Education Pulse Survey examines how U.S. K-12 districts and higher education institutions are resetting priorities as pandemic-era funding rolls off and regulatory conditions remain fluid. Drawing on responses from nearly 200 administrators nationwide, the analysis captures how leaders are navigating enrollment pressure, policy uncertainty and shifting budget expectations.
The findings show that overall budgets have been more resilient than anticipated, but uncertainty is slowing purchasing and investment decisions. In K-12, districts are protecting teacher pay, core curriculum, special education and student safety, while applying tighter scrutiny to supplemental programs.
Student mental health and workforce retention now rank among the most pressing system-wide challenges.
In higher education, leaders are prioritizing instruction, academic support and enrollment stabilization, with regulatory developments shaping the timing of major investments.
Across both sectors, AI adoption is emerging as a measured but growing area of focus, led by practical, near-term use cases rather than large-scale transformation.
Download the full analysis to explore the detailed findings and understand how education leaders across the U.S. are reallocating spend for the year ahead.
L.E.K. Consulting is a registered trademark of L.E.K. Consulting LLC. All other products and brands mentioned in this document are properties of their respective owners. © 2026 L.E.K. Consulting LLC
02052026170208