Contextualising the extrinsic outcomes of higher education during mass expansion: an introduction

Abstract

This Special Issue explores the extrinsic outcomes of higher education in the context of global mass expansion, focusing on the interplay between individual attainment and economic and societal structures. While tertiary enrolment rates have more than doubled over the past two decades, disparities in graduate outcomes persist, reflecting systemic inequities and structural barriers. The present paper underscores the contingent nature of higher education’s contributions to economic productivity, the public good, and social mobility by synthesising theoretical perspectives, empirical evidence, and cross-national comparisons. The paper advocates for recalibrating the metrics used to evaluate higher education, extending beyond monetary returns to better capture broader and long-term impacts. By advancing a cross-national perspective, the Special Issue seeks to inform policies that enhance equity, adaptability, and the transformative potential of higher education in a rapidly evolving global context.