Can startup universities revive America’s aging higher education system?

American higher education faces an urgent crossroad, with established universities dominating while new institutions struggle to grow. A Postsecondary Commission report shows most recent colleges are vocational or for-profit, leaving four-year startups rare but vital. Innovative models like Olin and Minerva highlight possibilities, yet accreditation hurdles and outcome debates threaten progress. The sector’s survival hinges on fostering these “green shoots.”