Beyond the Bottom Line: Redefining ROI in the Era of Higher Ed Modernization

Why Read This Research

Technology modernization in higher education is inevitable, driven by the shift from legacy systems to SaaS-based solutions. While often promoted as a path to efficiency and data-driven decision-making, the true return on investment (ROI) is complex—shaped by high costs, cultural resistance, and the challenges of change management. This white paper aims to level-set expectations, define a broader concept of ROI, and provide guidance on navigating the complexity of modernization without overpromising outcomes.

Key Questions Answered

• What are the barriers to unlocking ROI from modernization, and how can higher education institutions overcome them?
• What is the cost when higher education institutions don’t modernize?
• How can higher education leaders approach ROI modeling for modernization initiatives more effectively?

Features

• Area in Focus: Identity and Access Management
• Future Campus Impacts: Recruit, Retain, Employ, Fundraise, Operations, Governance, Risk, Innovate
• Author: Matthew Winn, PhD, Senior Analyst, Tambellini Group
• Research Availability: July 2025

Table of Contents

1. Abstract
2. Executive Summary
3. Introduction: The Reality of Modernization in Higher Education
4. A Broader Definition of ROI
5. Why Modernization Fails to Deliver ROI And How to Fix It
6. The Cost of Inaction: What Happens When Institutions Don’t Modernize?
7. Modeling ROI: A Realistic Framework for Institutional Leaders
8. Modernization as a Long-Term Investment
9. Recommendations for Institutional Leaders
10. Conclusion: A Call for Realism and Resolve