News & Insights
Photo courtesy of: Greg Land
Washington, D.C., October 7, 2024—Brailsford & Dunlavey (B&D) today released its 7th annual Higher Education Public-Private Partnerships (P3) State of the Industry Report, along with its inaugural Higher Education Energy Report for Public-Private Partnerships. Both reports offer crucial insights into the current 
landscape of higher education P3s and energy-focused partnerships, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by institutions.
The P3 State of the Industry Report reveals that while the number of higher education P3 deals reaching financial close has increased since 2022, the sector has yet to return to its pre-COVID performance. In 2023, the most recent full year of data examined, 14 P3 deals closed—up from 10 the previous year—reflecting the resilience and adaptability of universities in navigating the complexities of the market. However, the average size of deals has decreased, and rising construction costs and interest rates continue to pose challenges for institutions.
The debut issue of the Higher Education Energy Report sheds light on the growing trend of energy-focused P3s, with colleges and universities increasingly leveraging private partnerships to expand capacity, decarbonize infrastructure, and implement more climate-friendly systems.
“We’re at a pivotal moment for the higher education sector,” B&D President Brad Noyes said. “The industry is stabilizing, but continued market volatility highlights the importance of thorough capital planning and strategic decision-making, particularly in the realms of energy and infrastructure.” Noyes will be delivering today’s opening plenary address at the P3 Higher Education Summit in Washington, D.C. where he will be sharing findings from the report.
Both reports are available for download at B&D’s P3 Resource Center. For media inquiries, please send an email to marketing@bdconnect.com.
