Top 10 Higher Education Companies in the World 2026

The global higher education market was valued at USD 990.50 Billion in 2025. With a projected CAGR of 19.60% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2035, the market is expected to reach USD 5931.52 Billion by 2035. As per the analysis by Expert Market Research, the market is expected to be driven by supportive government regulations and the rapid adoption of online platforms in the education sector.

The global higher education market is gaining momentum as international organisations introduce new frameworks to improve institutional access, digital learning, and education policy planning. In June 2026, UNESCO launched its first Higher Education Global Trends Report, using data from 146 countries to examine enrolment, governance, financing, international mobility, digital transformation, and equity across higher education systems. The report provides governments and universities with comparable insights to support policy development, infrastructure investment, and long-term institutional planning.

Further, rising international student mobility continues to influence university enrolment strategies and cross-border education services. In April 2026, the OECD published a comparative report covering Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, highlighting the growing contribution of international students to enrolment, campus diversity, and institutional finances. The report also examined challenges related to affordability, visa policies, student retention, housing availability, and graduate employment, encouraging higher education institutions to improve support services and career pathways for overseas students.

Latest Updates on Top EdTech Companies Transforming Higher Education

In July 2026, Blackbaud and Student First announced a strategic innovation partnership to connect AI-enabled student information, financial management, fundraising and campus administration systems for higher education institutions.

In July 2026, Ellucian received the Higher Education Innovation Award at the 2026 EdTech Innovation Hub Awards for its work in AI-powered institutional technology and student-success solutions.

In July 2026, Pearson formed a Higher Education AI Strategic Council comprising educators, instructional designers and technology experts to guide responsible AI adoption in teaching and learning.

In June 2026, Microsoft introduced new AI-powered education tools and training resources alongside its 2026 AI in Education Report to support responsible implementation across educational institutions.

Top EdTech Companies Leading Higher Education in 2026

1. Blackboard Inc. (Formerly Anthology)

Blackboard Inc., formerly known as Anthology, provides learning management, digital accessibility, analytics, assessment and institutional-effectiveness technologies. Its Blackboard LMS supports online, blended and campus-based learning, while Ally helps institutions improve the accessibility of digital course materials. The company now focuses specifically on teaching and learning solutions. In March 2026, Anthology emerged from Chapter 11 restructuring as the independent and debt-free Blackboard company, separating its teaching and learning business from the SIS and ERP operations acquired by Ellucian.

2. Blackbaud, Inc.

Blackbaud is a leading provider of software empowering social impact, specialising in nonprofit and education sectors, corporate social responsibility, and individual changemakers. The company is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol BLKB. It offers solutions to drive fundraising, financial management, digital giving, grant making, and education management, facilitating over USD 100 billion in annual donations, grants, and investments. Blackbaud operates globally with a remote-first approach, supporting users across 100+ countries. In May 2026, Blackbaud made a strategic investment in Student First to combine its financial and advancement platforms with an AI-enabled student information system for higher education.

3. Google LLC

Google LLC is a multinational technology conglomerate based in America, and provides a diverse range of products and services. The company offers advertising, platforms and operating systems, and enterprise and hardware products, amongst others. In January 2026, Google partnered with the University of Oxford to provide students and faculty with secure access to Gemini for Education and NotebookLM following a successful institutional pilot.

4. Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft is a multinational corporation that excels in developing and distributing innovative software products and services worldwide. Its offerings include a diverse array of software products, ranging from operating systems, productivity and collaboration tools to server applications and business solutions. The company also offers desktop and server management tools, software development tools, and video games. Microsoft's wide range of products and services can be utilized across various devices and platforms, catering to the needs of different consumer segments. In July 2026, Western Sydney University extended enterprise-grade Microsoft 365 Copilot access to all staff members and higher-degree research students after completing a successful pilot programme.

5. Ellucian Company L.P

Ellucian is a global leader in EdTech for higher education. The company serves over 2,900 institutions worldwide, impacting over 22 million students across 50 countries. The company has offices across Australia, Chile, India, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Ellucian is committed to enhancing the entire student lifecycle with innovative solutions that provide crucial insights for both current needs and future advancements in learning.

6. Oracle Corporation

Oracle is one of the world’s largest database management companies and is the only technology provider with a complete suite of integrated cloud applications and a cloud infrastructure platform. Oracle Cloud offers the services required to migrate, build, and run IT workloads, ranging from existing enterprise systems to cloud-native applications and data platforms. The company recorded total revenue of USD 67.4 billion in fiscal year 2026, representing year-on-year growth of 17%. Oracle is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol ORCL.

7. IBM Corporation

IBM is a global technology company providing software, consulting, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and enterprise infrastructure solutions. The company is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol IBM. IBM recorded revenue of USD 67.5 billion in 2025, representing year-on-year growth of around 8%. Its technologies are used across industries including aerospace and defence, automotive, healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, and oil and gas. In June 2026, IBM launched a global AI Builders Challenge and expanded access to its IBM Bob AI-powered development platform across approximately 20,000 post-secondary institutions.

8. SAP SE

SAP SE, also known as SAP Group, is a global leader in enterprise applications, cloud-based ERP, business AI, and supply chain management solutions. The company is publicly listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol SAP. SAP recorded total revenue of EUR 36.80 billion in 2025, reflecting an increase of 8% compared with 2024. The company has a workforce of more than 100,000 employees and operates across numerous countries worldwide. SAP also provides team and performance management solutions for sports including soccer, ice hockey, basketball, handball, and rugby, covering training management, performance analytics, player data, and team operations.

9. Pearson plc

Pearson is a leading lifelong learning company that provides digital content, assessments, qualifications, and workforce-skilling solutions to learners, educational institutions, businesses, and governments worldwide. In 2025, the company recorded sales of GBP 3.58 billion, supported by growth across its assessment, virtual learning, higher education, and enterprise learning businesses. Pearson continues to expand the use of artificial intelligence across its products and services while strengthening its presence in career development, professional certification, and enterprise skilling. In May 2026, Pearson launched AI-learning modules across more than 20 academic disciplines, enabling university students to develop career-focused AI skills and earn Credly digital badges.

10. Dell Technologies Inc.

Dell Technologies is a multinational technology company offering a broad portfolio of IT solutions through two principal business units: the Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) and the Client Solutions Group (CSG). ISG provides servers, storage, networking, and AI infrastructure solutions, whereas CSG offers notebooks, desktops, workstations, displays, docking stations, keyboards, mice, webcams, and audio devices. Dell Technologies recorded revenue of USD 113.5 billion in fiscal year 2026, representing year-on-year growth of 19%. The company serves customers across more than 170 countries.