Colleges Try to Head Off a Coming Enrollment Crisis
Aug 20, 2026 · 12m
Summary
Rising health care costs and Walmart’s weakest sales growth in six years drove market declines, while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent addressed bond yields and deficits. Meanwhile, falling birth rates threaten college enrollment, causing elite schools to see record applications as students seek better ROI. Finally, the episode explores the resurgence of claw machines, which now prioritize customer experience and higher win rates to attract visitors.
Topics discussed
IBM AI integration and HR results
Show intro: Healthcare costs, Walmart, and college trends
Rising US healthcare costs and out-of-pocket expenses
California AI boom drives record VC funding
Walmart earnings slump vs Target and tariff refunds
Treasury bond buybacks and $40 trillion debt
College enrollment decline and flight to quality
Colleges marketing strategies and international students
Predictions of 450 college closures in 10 years
The resurgence of claw machines and claw-cades
Show credits and Baird Private Wealth ad
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