Given the success enjoyed by market-funded colleges and universities over the past decade, both in growing enrollment and generating shareholder value, industry observers have become increasingly interested in the impact of the current economic crisis. One particular focus of attention has been the threat of reductions in corporate tuition reimbursement budgets as companies seek to manage costs by reducing funding for non-core employee benefits.

In response to this concern, The Parthenon Group, a strategic advisory firm, conducted interviews with Human Resources professionals at companies with revenue of more than $500 million. These companies represent a broad spectrum of industries and offered their perspective on how the economic downturn is impacting the funding levels for degree-based program tuition reimbursement.